New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
An ARTHCRIAN OPERA

Elaine opera in four acts and six scenes
words by Paul Terrier, music by H. Bemberg.
ceived its first American performance at the Met
ropolitan opera House last night The occasion
was one which had irrtated public interest ard
curios y; and quite Justly. The work wholly
new; that something. In its representation
were enlisted nearly all Of Messrs Abbey
Grau's singers who admired by the public
Nine. Melba. the brothers De Keszke, NJ
plancou and Nine Mantc. And who that has
ever felt his heart toward the Arthurian
legends whether in the delicious prose Of Sir
Thomas Mallory, knight, Alfred Tennyson's
melodous poetry would abide away when drama
or opera based on such a subject was given So
there splendid concourse of brave men and
fair women In tho Opcra House and much rcjoic-
ing over all that was offered that invited JOY. Be
sides there many who knew the composer
was somewhere behind the mystic screen and they
had met him and spoken with him ana were anx-
ious to witness triumph for him. And that he
won in way from people not inclined to enforce
too rigid standard against young man with
commendable ambitions.
IL is singular fact that the Arthuran legends
have appealed little to the fancy OF opera
writer's. intil Wagner came they were neglected
Schumann thinking OF the story of LohenSrn
when Wagner first read his dramatic poem In
Le!psic TO friends. among whom Schumann
was and the latter left the party "A disappointed
man. Then came Tristan and Isolde then
"Parsfa" and now two composers unknown this
side OF the Atlantic. Emil Buchner and Theodor
Hentsche made essays with the story OF Lance
lot du Lac. Ientschcl capelmcister in
Bremen, and his opera performed few
times in 1878 and 1872 and then went TO pious
end like its hero Bichners opera, so far as we
know. Is still awaiting first performance. Rufcr.
hes; known a composer OF organ sona;as and
Goldmark attacked Merlin al about the same
time. but it seemed If the only genius capable
OF dealing with The great stories OF chivalry be-
longing the Germanic race was that Of Wag-
ner Perhaps the reason is not hard to find These
stories dramatic material in the common
acceptance of the phrase. and only Wagner has
been able TO make them seem so by hs wonder
ful poetic and musical art and his ability to make
us forge; paucity OF external action and make us
see the emotional play on the stage OF the hearts
Of the immortal heroes and herolnes So far AS
We know Elaine euded the musical dramaiisis
until NM Terrier and Bemberg appeared on
the scene Hentschels opera concerned itself with
Lancelot and his guilty love for Queen Guineverc.
In a general way the book OF NJ Ferrlcr
was outlined in The Tribune Of last sun
day 80 attempt was made then 20 csii-
mate It's value or point out its Weaknesses
ON that point f." remarks here.
And first it mus, be said that The book Of the
opera again demonstrates the difficulty Of making
anv effective dramatic US q the story q Elaine
1t was formerly proved hy play Of TIE same ti'le
hv George Parsons Lathrcp and Henry Edwards
which occupied the stag II the Madison SQUARE
telling Of this story is poetic narrative; Tenny-
sons IS a narrative poem. Each is excellent lofty.
true moving and effective, but IT Is not easy to
set any mere narrative. however perfect and lovely,
on the stag The play Just T 95a1 i SeraU
that text was not dramatic. The present nDfe't,s'
story sH Which came to him from Mallory and Tenny-
SON Il he had perfect right TO do. but they nave
sented that Gawain is a rejected sutton OF Elaine
and. indeed. Tennyson gives some foundation Tor
.t,iu b,,t Art
roec, ed' by BY the the Lily Mad before
ready Owed T anceot beoe she met This
device brings tn" persons Of the story INTO Closer
aqa BY his o fS shange Sq the bres has
injured the character OF Elaine ianeeio, ah1 IN, ne
subject. Lancelot never loved Elaine His only
love sinful. but
His honor rooted in dshonor stood,
And faith unfathfu kept him falsely true.
Lancelot's nature noble and loyal and he
was never untrue TO the Queen. The sending Of
Elaine's token back TO her from the Queen Is an
Sy1s she ss aa &c S rS Pg' r CEr ~ q
Jealous deceit on The part Of woman whom her her
change was made in difference to Nine. Melba. who
docs not LOOK a. fh , %eS oo @ the pa
50 capitaly in All other respects that II j. per-
naP5 TnEna s r. aso rom he changc Her
jealousy bitter. no doubt. else she would not
noble regal. 70 take revenge 80 useless TO
herself on one whom she mus; have YEN 10 De
sayd the qucne somme bounte and gcntines that
% %Sis Of 9"yf aor nnS hs6 as h%
could rot improve them wisely adopted and re-
NJ Rembere's music known here is all OF the
lyric order. and II was but natural that when ne
called upon to develop situation bnt
found one ready 10 hand whose emotions he might
hymn. he should have been most successful ne
na,nnic" the scene al the close. Lair est l"gcr
(Which the hbreisi asks the audience 20 @s me
as consuming an ent're ni1hr ne pray, o. .m'
hermit in the third. "Dieu de plic' ana inc SO u
Gfsbs a S" :" are ne an sscef meodc fancy
and cxcmplify his good TASTE ma sennin,ehess o.
he extent Of its depth. For the note Of cnivalry
which ought to sound al through ne VOTE 90 D, W.
aori@inai voice than his harmon!cs several oc-
rasIors as for instance tho entrance Of lancclot
in The castle OF Astolat In general ~" inS' ~
lowed his French teachers in the treatment OF he
dialogue which aims 10 be iniens'ea spe 'h ,on,
steps of BIzet and Massenet IN the deylce OF nsne
typical phrases bu 80 m,a as S ascovn T by the
audience 49, ,,,rooo,,,ar s,ago In re-
The ,hs scenes 8t Of chyac lie were common
surate with the music OF tie opera III ~
70 20 pore EXCITING TO read Of tournament in Ma!ory
than to see It at he 1peTa o ,Sv rode tosethSr
three times tina, spear was broken and that incy
Sre fPssh as on fSs s S ssS
instead of receiving each his opponents weapon on
. ..au t5shvered" Then when they had drawn Their
s~nrds they aid not lash together Ike Wild boars
,hrus,ne and foining and giving either other many
cad STROKES 80 that 1t was marvel To- see Row they
might endure. the gentle Sir Thomas wou,n
dn1h,less have had them do. stu. when "A UT ~
10 be pat on the stage in Broadway theatre WIN WIN
borsos and men that not used to H.. the ca"e
~ Tho dancing bear Is again In point. The opera
Vas enjoyed and appauded as 1t deserved to be Ior
Inc GOOD things that in II. and the LILY lald
had more lilies and and holly showered about
her than she could easily pick up and carry away.
twelfth NIGHT CLTB SOCIAL MEETING.