The evening world., 1894-04-20
"WER7HER"IsA"s7AR" OPERA
It Gives Jean de Reszke Most Of
the Singing to Do.
Rebellion in "Hannele"-Stage News
and Gossip.

The first production of Massenet's
"werther'' at the Metropolitan Opera
House last night did not attract
a crowd by any means, but those
present seemed inclined to be
enthusiastic. The reason Of the
enthusiasm was not he opera itself,
but the splendid vocal work OF Jean de
Reszke n Emma Eames. "Werther"
is merely a long and rather prosy must
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 impressive. 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--a one part
opera. Jean de Reszke had everything
his own way. And Jean de Reszke
has never don 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 APP
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.
+. J.. Henley Is still In white
Indignation about the part in Han
nele" that he refused to play. II am. l
daresay, quite as bad as anybody in
New York." said Mr.. Henley. and l am
moreover an atheist. but l could not
and would not play such a part" 1t is
said that Mr.. Henley was horriied at
one of the speeches he was called upon
to utter. 1t was: MAY / be stricken
blind II 1t is not So" AS Henley has
just recovered from a severe ~eye-malady,
he looks upon this utterance as most
unpleasantly significant. In the mean
time, the rehearsals OF 'Hannele'' are
proceeding slowly. Actors are still re-
belling at their parts, and there are two
or three understudies for each role. The
production has been postponed until
April 80. The general opinion seems to
be that the piece will enjoy a run OF
one consecutive n.ght.
In spite OF all rrmors to the contrary,
II is definitely announced that Beer
bohm Tree will make his American
debut at Abbey's Theatre Jan. 20 next.
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
are all very young, and some of them
appeared In the London production,
'"They are all over sixteen, though" re-
marked Mr.. Chatterton yesterday, and
in order TO avoid any possible trouble
with Gerry, l brought over copies OF
their certificates OF birth from the dif-
ferent parishes to which they belong"
There will be no grandmothers in this
ballet.
An actress has at last been discov-
cred who Is not engaged for The Pass
ing Show" at the Casino. II Is Miss
Jennie Yeamans. whose season with
Jane has been extended. and who
Will consequently be unable to appear
In the review.
oEo. q. FLINT Co. Of West l4rh st.. have
marked dQwn eysIy article Of furniture prior to