New-York tribune., 1896-11-17
FAUST" sUPERBLY SUNG.
OPENING OF THE METROPOLITAN SEA.
SON-REAPPEARANCE OF OLD
EAVORITEc

There Is no basis for any possible quarrel, thers
is scarcely basis for criticism. as criticism Is
commonly understood. IN the performance which
was given last night at the Metropolitan Opera
House, to open the Abbey. Schoeffel & Grau sea-
son OF grand opera. The opera Faust Pos
sbly there Is still something to be said about this
opera. Some art works so beautiful that they
can be discussed day In and day out for years
without wearying those who appreciate and love
them but even II this chances to be the with
Faust 1t Is pretty safe to say that those who
heard last nights performance would not care
TO read even the most enthusiastic rhapsody about
the work that could be written. The only thing
that would be likely to appeal to them would be an
account Of how 1t was performed and such an &C.
count would have to be keyed up to the pitch OF
the surerlative TO satisfy them.
better performance Is scarcely imaginable.
None of the singers were new to the audience that
crowded the house. but some OF them. so II seemed.
better than last night. First Of all there
Jean de Rcszke who. il ne had any purpose
outside Of doing justice to the book and music Of
the opera. seemed to be singing in order TO show
how utterly and absurdy unnecessary and futile
are the ordinary catchpenny effects which tenors
have been In the habit OF striving for In the titular
role To sing the music as II Gounod meant by it
TO raise the emotional power Of the words seemed
sufficient him. and many thrill did he send
through the listeners. who seemed determined. In
spite Of the gala OCCASION to indicate by their be-
havior that the best operate performances In the
world were Just good enough to satisfy them with
out exciting their special wonder. The apathy OF
the audience. indeed almost as remarkable
as the excellence OF the representation and would
invite discussion II there not better things
to talk about.
After NJ De Reszke Nine. Melba. A more
than twice-told tale Is her performance OF the
part Of Marguerite yet after last night II seems
as II il might be achievement Of inestimable
va!ue 10 the lyric drama if she 10 sing It
over and over again. provided she would each
time show the Improvement which her last nights
performance exhibited compared with the per-
formance of previous years. The fact that there
are emotional depths in her lovely voice that have
hitherto been unsuspected by her admirers and
uncxpIored by herself must have suggested itself
frequently 10 the listeners last night Mayhap
there is a surpris. I'm store for all when she
shall enter the ranks OF Wagner singers.
NJ I.asae effected his re-entrance on the Metro
potan stage Valentine. and much OF his singing
indicated that the rest which he has enjoyed since
he returned his home from America has done
him good He IS artist Of fine instincts. and II
he will but keep his voice In tune the announce
mcnt of his name in cast will always be hailed
with delight Edouard de Reszke was the Me-
phisophees whom long ago learned to ad-
mire There was a pretty demonstration OF the
ability and unconventionaty OF the audience
in the fact that when Nine Bauermeister APP
peared in the garden scene as Martha. she re.
ceived a welcome spontaneous and hearty as
that accorded 10 her great associates There was
splendid elasticity and .loqucnce in the orchestral
part directed by Signor Mancnciii