The evening world., 1894-04-20
"WERTHER" |sA"s STAR" OPERA
It Gives Jean de Reszke Most Of
the Singing to Do.
r tellion in sHannele"-Stage 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
Ia 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 q star opera-a 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 APP
peared to be on his mettle, and the audi
ence bravoed at his efforts. Miss Games
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.
z; j., Henley Is still in white
indigna alto ,s about segso the part in Han
daresay, quite as bad as anybody in
New York" said Mr.. Henley, and l am
moreover an atheist. but l could not
said that Mr.. Henley was horriaed at
one Of the speeches he was called upon
e utter 1t was: May l be stricken
just recovered from a severe eye.malady'
he looks upon this utterance as most
u.npleassantiy signlffieant. IN the mean
proceeding slowly. Actors are still re-
belling at their parts, and there are two
or three understud les for each role. The
production Il has been pGfstponed until
be that the piece will enjoy run of
one consecutive night.
In spite Of all rumors to the contrary,
1t is definitely announced that Beer
bohm Tree will make his American
d, debut at Abbeys 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
are all very young. and some of them
appeared In. the London production.
They are all over sixteen. though, re.
marked Mr.. Chatterton yesterday, land
in order to avoid any possible trouble
with Gerry, l brought over copies of
their certificates of birth from the diff
ferent parishes, to which they belong"
There Will be no grandmotherS in this
ballet.
An actor stepped into Manager Rosen-
quests office yesterday and asked to be
e SaS nex esry
was not novice. he declared. for he
had already appeared in that very role:
"Blue jeans" he looked d little startled
at the man. $ audacity,, He had never
seen him before, and told him so. THAT
may be-" was the reply, but l repeat
ton, as they call it-an organization
that stole version Of the Play. Still
can do the part justice?" Mr.. Rosen-
quest permitted the actor to withdraw
quietly.
cred who is not engaged for 1.-The Pass
ing Show" at the Casino. 1t is Mis-!
g Jennie Yeamans. whose season will
+ win consequently be unable to appea
II Minnie Seligman and her husband
IN Bobby Cutting, are engaging a compan.
sl This IS the season p when osfS s
|, are so scarce that actors and actresse
oy are positively driven to starring. Il tn
It'll play proves to be success 1t will b
m, done In New York next season.