New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-01
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
"THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO"

"L.e NoZze di Figaro" compounded by Beau
marchais, Da Ponte and Mozart one or the most
efferyescent and captivating musical comedies ever
conceived, the full brother of Rossinls BARBER"
for which 1t stood model, was performed AZ the
Metropolitan Opera House last night. II was an
occasion that ought TO be entered in the record OF
the season in large letters with red ink. Few
oneras on the contemporaneous list are less ia
mar to the American public. In the brave days
Of Parepa and her company 1t used to be sung,
and Nine. Luccas impersonation Of the page Is q
fragrant recollection with the opera-goers whose
memory reaches back score Of years For the
companies of this robustous latter day, when sing
ers have a role or two each in which they are eff
fective and one prima donna levies assessment
on the management that calls for nearly all the
receipts, the cd opera is not practicable. Mozart
was prodgal with his singers. II he wanted
what the writer's OF to-day, Indifferent to correct
Technology, would call three prima donpas, he
had them. Women capable Of singing his music
were not such rare birds they are now. and
were not so anxious to subscribe for National
loan after each performance as they are now Hence
the stage was enriched by Don Giovanni" and lie
Nozze ,di Figaro"
Except for the difficulty which all the singers Of
today find in Mozarts music not 70 utter ,bd but So to
not seem to be any reason why Figaro should
of the practically insuperable dramatic obstacles
which stand In the way Of Don Gioyannis sue
far it falls short of its classical original ana
neither the stage manager nor the scene painter
needs to cudgel his brains to provide Il furniture
and an Ineligible presentation; muscally, II Is a
refreshment to the soul. True. IDEAL represHn-
taion is scarcely possible. under present circum-
stances-for that we should require smaller audi
ence-rooms and larger talent In both action ana
musc-but OF gratitude for the privilege or
hearing II occasionally, no one would be churlish
enough not to be satisfied with something little
short of the ideal Las. nights audience, ae.
and unfeigned delight. 1t moreover.
a decidedly credtable performance. Nine:
Eames was picture the countess. and sang ana
acted with a aristocratic air: Mile. Arnoldson,
vocally inadequate was arch piquant and fasc.nat-
ingly beautiful the page Cherubino; Nine. Nor
dica quite fitted In temperament for the role or
Susanna. was yet earnes; IN her work as 70 make
fault finding an ungraciOus proceeding As Marcel.
lima very incOnsequental figure In the musical
comedy. Nine Tablache. an old fayorlte OF the OPP
cratic egions under the consulship Of Mapeson was
called in to fiji the vacancy In the company caused
by the Illness Of Nine. Bauermeister. and filled II.
The parts which fell TO the men were less satisfac-
tory filled Ii Is easily imagined that Edouard DC
Reszke would have been better fitted Win the part
OF Figaro than he with that OF the jealous
count and he would doubtless have done u better
than signor Ancona. The Others CONCERNED IN the
representation were Signor Carbone tbartolo) sig
nor Rnaldn Basilio, Signor Mastrobuono cur,
Zo) and De Vaschetti (Antonio). IL Is 10 be hoped
that the opera will be repeated.