The morning call., 1894-04-05
OPERA AND MUSIC.

Since the production of Verdi's "Fal-
staff" the most important contributions
to operate music have been Sain t-Saens'
Samson and Delilah" and Massenet's
"Werther." Both were, in fact, written
before "Falstaff," but it is only quite
lately that they have become familiar to
operate audiences. Samson" was pro-
duced at the Grand Opera at Paris in
February, with Vergnet in the title role.
"Werther" was given at the Auditorium
at Chicago last month with Jean de Reszke
as the tenor.
There is a world of instruction for
musicians in the fact that though both
composers are French, redolent of the
boulevard. the music OF both operas Is
distinctly Wagnerian. Saint-Saens has
given bis orchestra as much symphonic
work as Wagner himself could have done.
and Massenets orchesIratio2 and even his
vocal score constantly revsal the Trilogy.
Couple the fact with the marked leaning
of Verd's later works toward the broad
dramatization of the German school, and
we are driven to the conclusion that the
sweet sensuousness Of the Italian COM
posers of this century has passed into his
tory. To non-scientific lovers OF music
this result has long been inevitable. II
was certain that people of taste would not
long be content with scores which were
nothing more than telegraph wires on
which dulcet arias hung like Wisps OF
grass from the fslds. If there be any
serious purpose in music, if Beethoven and
Haydn and Chopin did not exaggerate its
capabilities, an opera should tell its story
without words. That was the notion of
the author of "ParsifaP' aud "Lohen-
grip," and now it seems that the French
themselves reluctantly but decidedly en-
brace the same opinion.
The conversion OF the French composers
TO faith which they have spent quarter
Of century in denouneing mag have the
effect of leading TO the foundation Of a
French school of grand opera. That has
been waning in France. With the excep-
ton Of Gounod it is difficult to name a
Frenchman Of the present century who
rose TO the level Of Meyerbesr or Rossni.
Half century ago Boleldeu. Auber and
Adam wrote the most delightful comic
operas, and in our day Offenbach. who,
though German born, was to all intents
and purposes Frenchman, and Lecocq
composed pieces which had little claim to
excellence as works of art, but which were
pleasant and popular. But the French, as
a rule, have failed when they tried the
highest pathos in music. Massenet and
the author of Carmen" cannot compose
with DOnizettl, much less Verdi. 1t Is
quite within the range of possibilities that
the conversion of French composers TO
sound musical doctrine may lead TO the
production Of French operas which will
rank with the masterpieces of the French
in poetry and fiction.
The American school of music has yet to
be born. The melancholy fate OF Mr.. Fry,
the first composer Of American opera, did
not encourage others TO follow in his foot
steps; our present operate writer, Mr.. de
KoYen, has achieved marvellous measure
of success without a large investment of
genius. His light operas are pleasing, and
they draw large audiences: he must have
added to his inherited means fortune
from his royalties. But it cannot be said
Of any of his operas that they are either
strikingly original or even American. Yet
there is in this country a musical spirit
which must some day find vent in the CON-
position of works of high art. There is
nothing in the negro melodies. with their
plaintive minor, which entities them to
longevity. but the generation that has been
raised on minstrel dltties will presently
clamor for more wholesome food. A race
which sings will sooner or later want to
sing something worth while.
The prospect reminds US that an extra
ordinary proportion of our California girls
are developing fine voices. Their physique
gives power to their organ, and in many
cases it is as sweet as it is mellow. There
is notion among them that they cannot
be trained unless they go to Paris or Milan.
This is deluslOn; there are vocal teachers
here who can very nearly complete the
education Of a singer; the finishing work
can be done at New York or Cincinnati as
we'll as in Europe. 1t is not at all impos-
sible that the next Patti may be an Amer
can, and perhaps a native of California.
Who knows?