New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-28
MUSICAL COMMENT.
PROMISES AND FULFILMENT AT THE
OPERA-DvORAK AND AMERI
CAN MUSIC

There but three weeks left OF the regular sub
scripion season OF opera at the Metropolitan Opera
House, and speculation II buster with the promises
OF Mr.. Damrosch's German season which is to
follow 1t than with the possibilities OF the remain
ing performances. There have been many nota
BILE representations In the thus far that 1t
seems ungracious TO point out the dissppoiniments
which have alternated with them. and yet 1t Is
only by locking both sides OF the that ts
lesson can be learned. Thus far there have been
forty subscription and eleven extra performances
devoted in all to nineteen operas, namely: Romeo
ct Juliette" "Guglielmo Tell" AIDA" Carmen"
Lucia di Lammerrnoor," III Trovatore." Faust
"Otello" "Lohengrin." "Rigoletto' "Mgnon"
elaine" ''Traviata." "Gll Ugonotti.' Don Go-
vannl" "Cavalleria Rustcana," 'Pagliacc" "Ma-
non" and "Semiramide." This list shows the order
in which the works were brought forward. or all
the operas only one complete novelty.
though Massenets "Manon" might also be
counted such. The new work was Elaine which.
with adventurous helps, scored what may be set
down as a success of curiosity, but which cannot
be described a permanent enrichment OF the
local list. "L'Africane' seems TO have been with
dra wn from the announcements. and "FalstaR' has
already suffered two postponements. There is still
q chance for its representation. and II Is within
the limits OF possibility mat Samson ct Dalila or
"Phryne," or both. may be brought forward In the
supplementary season. which is to begin about the
middle OF April but the experiences OF the past do
not encourage n lively hope In that direction.
With such a numerous aggregation or artists as
that controlled by Messrs. Abbey and Grau, ana
such a generous and fair-mnded disposition az
these managers have always disclosed. such an
outcome may seem strange to the public. yet 1t Is
nevertheless not at all strange but merely con-
sequence OF the return 10 the old italian system
When Messrs. Abbey and Grau restored this regime
they we're honestly DESTROYS TO graft upon IT some
OF the improvements suggested by the German
system They wanted to raise the general STANDARD
of the representations and enlarge the repertory es-
peciaIly in the direction OF French opera IL Is
plain that this the ambition which prompted
the engagement OF Miss Sanderson for instance,
who. having been trained wholly In the modern
French school. and being intimately identihed win
its most recent products seemed TO hold out nope
OF fufment. It is TO be feared. however. that all
such hopes have been set at naught by the worui
demonstration OF artistic incapacity which she
made at her second appearance in "Manon' last
Saturday afternoon. She was obviously suffering
from cold. but this fact did not sumce 10 explain
or fully extenuate her performance. which was an-
solutely without charm. and vocally amateurish
TO a degree "Manon' Is confessedly her best
OPERA and II has accomplished only one thing'
which is TO reconcile the judcious TO the prospect
OF remaining In ignorance touching "rhaIs' and
"Phryne." Neither o; these operas would enlist
Jean de Reszke. whose fascinating impersona'ioh
OF the Cheyalier des Greux is the only feature OF
"Manon" that might JUSTIFY the experiment oi an
other repetition. When the revolution at the Met
ropoliten was accomplished by Messrs Abbey ana
Grau In January, 1851. The Tribune. discussing the
probable outcome Of the experiment said:
q What the change promises ~ merely change o.
repertory Such change all else being equai. WIZ
bring disaster there 81 virtue In the teach
ngs OF the last eight The only operate lists
that are cosmopolitan sre the German nsts-sueh
lists as Mr. Stanton has striyen 10 introduce at the
Metropolitan In those lists were examples or az
schools OF composition. Moreover. the principle or
action borrowed by Mr.. stanton from the operate
managers Of Germany was TO plan repertory ana
Mr. Abbey's promises have been. they yet suffice to
show that next season the plan will be reversed
the list will be adapted TO the artists.
This prediction WAS fulfilled to the letter The
season Of lsSl.s2 did not introduce single uovslY