The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-04-20
''WERTHER" star" OPERA
II Gives Jean de Reszke Most Of
the Singing to Do
R.Jbeliion in "Hannele"-s News
and Gossip.

The FIRST production Of Massenet's
.Werther" at the Metropolitan Opera
House last night did not attract
n crowd by any means. but those
present seemed inclined to be
enthusiastic. The reason OF the
enthusiasm was not the opera itself,
but the splendid vocal work of Jean de
Reszke and Emma Eames. "Werther"
Is merely a long and rather prosy musi-
cal duologue, in which Werther makes
love to Charlotte and learns that she is
engaged to marry Albert. The duologue
is continued when she has married Al
bert, for then she tells werther that she
really loves him, and sends him away.
The music composed by Massenet is
graceful and artistic, but not in the
least impres sive. You feel pleased to
realize that you have heard 1t, but you
are not at all anxious to hear 1t again.
1t is in reality a star OPERA one part
opera. Jean de Reszke had everything
his own way. And Jean de Reszke
has never done better work. His
voice was in splendid form. The fatigue
that has seemed to be creeping into his
tones Of late was not noticeable. He ap-
peared to be on his mettle, and the audi
ence bravoed at his efforts. Miss Eames
also did nobly. The other roles-most in
significant ones-were intrusted to Nine.
Sigrid Arnoldson, Martapoura, Carbone,
Guetary and Vascheti. The stage set
ting was verv good indeed.
E. j.. Henley is still in white
indignation about the part In Han
that o hs refused Sad to play III
New York" said Mr.. Henley, "and / am
moreover an atheist. but I could not
:a nd T Sa Mo- not eSe such Ras SHrd Is
one of the speeches he was called upon
70 utter. 1t was: May be stricken
he looks upon this utterance as most
unpleasantly significant. In the mean
time, the rehearsals, Of "Hannele"', are
beling at their parts and there are two
or three understudies for each role. The
production has been postponed until
Sc that the piece win enjoy a run Of Of
one consecutive night.
In spite of all rumors to the contrary,
II is definitely announced that Beer
S Sebn Tree HbS maas his jan 3 nes
The rehearsals of the cinderella"
ballet are being held at the Empire The
atre. as the stage of Abbey's Is blocked
by the scene painters. The ballet girls
appeared In the London production.
They are all over sixteen. though" re-
marked Mr.. Chatterton yesterday, land
their certificates Of Birth from the diff
ferent parishes to which they belong"
There will be no srandmothers in this
An actor stepped into Manager Rosen-
quests office yesterday and asked to be
& play hs e rssey Rf
had already appeared in that very role.
Bu s RGssnSuSss Part stsrted
seen him Before. and told him , SO: That
may ben Wss the he reply but
ton, as they call it--an organization
that that stole version Of the Play stu
4 can do the part justice?" Mr.. Rosen-
quest permitted the actor to withdraw
quietly
An actress has at last been discov.
cred who Is not engaged for THE Pass.
ing Show" at the Casino 1t is Miss
Jane" has been extended and who
will consequently be unable to appear
in the review.
81 Minnie Seligman and her husband
Bobby Cutting. are engaging a company
to present new play in Boston shortly
rms Is the season when engagement!
are SO scarce that actors and actresse!
are positively driven to starring. If tn,
play proves to be a success II will b,
done In New York next season.