The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-18
NEW YoRK'S OPERA SINGERS.
NO CITF IN THE WORLD Hls A
RETTER COMPANE

n IL such . performance as the bensnt Of
last Thursday night at the Metropolitan Opera
uouse which serves to impress on the New
YORK bubble the remarkable brillianoy OF the
sinrers whom Mr.. Abbey has this year brought
toaether in his conf any. The regular per-
,ormances throughout the season have dem
opstrated the exceptional excellence OF the
principal singers. but gathered together in one
prorramme as they were on Thursday even
ing their work proved that we have a CON-
many OF singers greater than New York or
any other city in the world. excepting London
pethaps, has ever seen gathered In one organ
ization.
The spring season OF opera at Covent Gar
den is the only one which compares In the
number OF It's famous singers with the COM
many Mr. Abbey has collected this year. Most
Of the artists who have been with us are to
sppear this year at Covent Garden. and no
other opera companies in the world offer 30
brilliant an ensemble rs New York has enjoyed
during the season which is now closing. As
long as the New York season lasts no city cnn
see such perform ances for the excellent rea-
son that most OF the greatest singers now be-
fore the public are included In the comp
which has been at the Metropolitan this win
ter. other opera houses may have greater
bsritones or light tenors. or. to name the COM
pany's greatest weakness, better contraltos.
II NAV be that there are singers In the Conti-
mental opera houses individually better than
some OF those who have sung the baritone.
light tenor. or contralto roles at the Metropoli-
tan this Writer but the fact remains that so
generally brilliant q company, one containing
80 many Justly famous singers has never APP
peared in this city or anywhere else. for that
matter except ut tho Covent Garden every
spring.
The men who sang on Thursday night In
eluded the brothers De Reszke. Plancon. Las
- sale, Ancona. and De Lucia. or Jean de
Eeszks there remains little to DO said that ia
not already in the information OF anybody In
terested in music even in the way Of the casual
listener at tho opera or the student and pro-
fessional musician. Any person interested
enough to know his name must know In addi-
ton his art and reputation. moments con-
sidsration ottho singers case will provo how
well Now York has Jared in the matter OF opera
this year. Jean de Reszke. along with the
Itslisn.Ta macno aud the Germans Van Dyck.
Wnk.lman. and Alvary. make up the grcatest
oulutet OF tenors singing In opera to-day OF
these Winkslman and Van Dyck belong
In Vienna Tamagno has sung OF late
years almost exclusively In Italy. and Aivary.
with the exception Of few appearances In
London. has divided his time between Ham
burg and Baireu,n- Ne 10. moreover. 4, Wag-
aSd oon a n, Dye oE AMI h.n
ysrsatile than Alyary and Van Dyes. whose
Ills fHrsTs, which hc has sung Tor several
seasons at Baireuih. and his performance Of
famous UPs n Henns sutsids 81
IN Parsi M.non " ssS e.:
Winkleman is no longer young and is. more;
Vienna 10 o!.cticaiiy at An end. Aivsry Will
become every year more Identified with the
more nser in a the opses q his naive snS
Jean de Roszke aud Van Dyck remain to-
az ss TIVE 8: ss% e
Ss YSsf %s IL the 81 one Of
Sa.d with the % Tradition: and s sSTIt Of
es s:. he nS che Of r Bs
Ing o. ISh .b s9 3ss ps Sa y IN pyiS
msnts LACKING in Dc Reszfs's performances Of
ehs wSgnerian heroes,
cast for roles for which he had neither sum
S 1'' AZ 'ts:ss no Hss sdSs.s as9AS
7annha,gai unapprecIativs Of the spirit Of the
Possiblilties were family sassesIsd. But in
men as De Rsske. even u two were attainsble.
The ehsrseteristics Of the American public
that having once heard the best they are con-
Sse4b ny6S1{ % that
become more popular. with the Metropolitan
Ds ts:s
only quality which New York has found to
Among the bassos are. two singers whom It
would be diricgit to equal n any other company
SsosSer IN most Of S his T5les and Greater Ia
him ali the sscsiienees and none Of the vices
thatA career at the Opera In Paris can give.
sm Ike th c t ssss eohs
Mental singers outside Of Germany. he reached
from London is vSrioasiy Valuable in New
iaTs. Americans never forget that ruben.
ssoPs the Brilliant ssn o. op pee
father a iashionaDle diversion for society.
hs Inglish peopls. But, unlike the unIucEy
.lhg.r rested on a foundation of very solid
melit. and he has proved one Of the best Of the
Wintsr WI" wore introduced 10 no" i0fA TINS
mother singer of the same training and
tones We havs had this winter and an artist OF
4Ss y saf i.
were never caused by failure in conception or |
a yiSs Ills ons Ps.fOE%snis q the
ago was admirable enough to have warranted |
It's rrproduction this winter.
oignor AnconA was newcomer who suo- |
seedsd admirably until HolrdIn 10 Tam |
hagser islIto his lot What he failed TO realize |
y ne role came 10 great part from the un- |
familiarity with the correct traditions OF WaR- |
nstlsn representation. which Is common to |
.AdPirabIs as the men In the Opsr. company
are. the women are still more notable What |
s0n PAM In New York before has Included i've |
sqeh sopranos as lMelba, CalVe, RAmes Nor |
SS!es and Arnoldsonf The contraltos are un- |
SsnlAtiY weak. Mma sealchi pleased when |
go iorks musical taste WAA not nearly so /
sSsnsated as II Is at present aud with its ad-
shes her popularity has declined. Mile |
HJsfeis came here with London reputation
ppuii Nile. Domsneeh Was recruit from the
ATS opera. who came away with most OF its |
m aus Of training although her voice IL an ad-
MIiaolo neZzo. But the principal singers
smohg the women need no qualification in
go 49, ton. No company anywhere has ever
susrsd so brilliant q list OF singers.
~, ~ europe Nine helba 10 the most famous
~ asp Al Her artistic career has no dark
ns SpT road 20 success this singers career 10
mat she sung for the director Of the Theatre