New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-07
NME. MELB4 IN "LOHENGHIN.'

There has been noticeable swelling OF the tide
Of prosperity at the Metropolitan Opera House Of
late and 1t has seemed as If Nine. Melba might be
carried to the niche which her marvellous talents
deserve in public favor, but last night demon
strated that the mystery has not all disappeared
from the institution yet The world over "Lohcn.
grin is the only opera OF the current list which
can boast Of popularity like that Of Gounods
Faust" II had been given four times previousi"
this season. but the numbe: is not large, compara>
lively. and for the representation arranged Tor last
night there a special attraction In the appear
ance Of Nine MelbG in the par: of Elsa. On Mon
day week she had warmed the Wagnerian con-
tingent leas. Likely of any portion or the puphc 10
be carried away by the kind of singing or which
che the fines. living eXempar by her performance
Elizabeth. a part requiring iofiler uranA'c
gifts than does that of Elsa. All things considered
therefore II was surprising to find the audience
room only half full las: night, In the higher regions,
where the lovers Of German opera mos 90 cohs'e-
gate there a fair attendance but below theIh
was array Of empty seats such as would nave
formed a ready explanation II the opera mad oeeh
"Rigoletto or "SemramiCe' but seemed unac-
countable With opera at once SO tuneiul, so ora
matte SO picturesque and 50 generay aarga as
was Signor Nignas. who did not leave peasant
impression Whe The opera was Ist sne s
Yielded the role of Telran.und TO Signor Ancona Dut
generally content with single representation. and
Il is not 10 be supposed that the audiehce wouin
Peszke and NJ Iassalle had sung. Possibly the III
uence OF the herman seasons when, IL mas Deeii
Thought has been in the greater popularity or
the dramatic over the lyric LISTS responsible Tor
the change of attitude 10 the Wagnerlan operas ana
dramas Certain 1t that the public has reason 10
l.. apprehens.ve of the performances by the present
company Of the operas when were s'eadi1y popular
under the German regime . ,,
NM this Is speculation, and there IS something
bb'nb .an ne diseased with greater freedom from
cnntcc,lra Nine Media as Elsa duplicated her sue
cssS IIizaDeth Dramatically. aer impersona' ion
disclosed the same shortcomings. but unsteady 1t
Was rcL In the same eXceliencies. Again, the most
conermnd crolker was compelled wonder at the
marvellous purity of her tones, the astonishing sus
ainlrr power 0! voice and the reposefulness Of
her singing which rested Ike beneticon on every
moment Of her performance Al tines, TOO as IN
passion which seems foreign 70 her nature almost
conyinc.ng!y. These things. however had 10 make
IN for a want Of the tender poetic grace or which
the part is full. and It was pity al evening that
or who can so unin :erruptedly display the most
perfect OF musical instincts should 81 often cease
II he Elsa and become he Dr.na donfp. \ matter
worthy of mention, though lncer the circumstances
Il could not help the performance. was The magn!h
cerce OF her wardrobe--a magnlncence quite without
parallel so far as the local stage goes