New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-14
MUSIC.
A NEW ITALIAN OPERA.

II Is doubtful II more than very small fraction Oh
the many curious ones who crowded the Academy OF
Music last night to hear the new opera entitled
Andrea Chener." had any idea what they were
going to hear and Only those who have kept
their fingers the pulse OF young Italy knew how
Unanimously her musical blood is flowing just now.
"Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci' seemed 10
Indicate high temperature few years ago, but
they are temperate compared with the later output
OF the Italian schools. For this reason 1t is safe
enough to that the large sdmixture of surprise in
the Incident Of last night had something TO do with
the enthusiastic reception accorded to the OPERA
Not that the applause was undeserved Andrea
Chener contains stuff for thought, and II the young
composer does not attract much attention as
Mascagni and Leoncavalo before many more years
have passed his head 1t will be because popular
taste will have turned away from the hot-blooded
style which he and his colleagues culthatng.
That such contamination Is more than probable It
is safe to predict. Cayenne pepper Is A very good
thing in Its but cayenne pepper served as base
for itself three times day is likely to destroy APP
probation Of its virtues condiment. Even the
most bloodthirsty lover ofthe new Italian muse-and
there Is other epithet that will ut the case-must
sooner or later get weared OF the present musical
erocy and begin to long for the old cantlena or for
the logic CT the writers who. though they may be
remotely responsible for the present tendency. at
least never dreamed of such an outcome FOR their
s;rvings.
In it's ambition 10 rob music Of all its "lascivous
ploasings' and make it the veriest handmaiden Of
the dramatic Idea, Andrea Chenier" leaves even
ola Nayarraise" far in the rear. In Giordano's
onera the play Is nearly all. Indeed. 1t would be
an interesting experiment to perform Signor lllicas
ubretto without music It's eliminating scenes
would lose little II anything. by the divorce. ana
II might even be possible that their emotionaiity
would be heightened. There Is deal OF ingenuity
IN IN. scorc and an occasional outburst OF passion.
ate EXPRESSION calculated to sweep judgment on its
foot but the dearth Of melody whidD Is at onco
nragnant and beautiful makes itself felt through
IN, the work and IS not atoned for by the occa-
SIGNAL ingenious pits of Instrumentation ana the
multitude of harmonic piquancies not 10 can 'he"
noienan cies which the music discloses he co'n'
noser Is not widely known even in Italy lie Is uh-
ADMITTEDLY highly talented musician, but ne VIII
ba his hest friend who will keep him IN harness
with so ingenious dramatist as Signor iica seems
n he He ought not venture far into purely
lyrical waters. -,.n.
The audience was stirred into violent excitement
IN several climacteric moments last night oomo
,iuos the inspiring cause seemed TO De the "hon'
desperate noise of the orchestra emo the band:
Efforts made by the singers TO outshoul "a. Co. tbs
-, n,bers tho tribute was plainly intended lot .t.e
librettist The singing Of The represen'd.e ~ 4;san
,i,,,,ar r6,e M Durot would have been more disdp.
,ninrIng had II not developed early III the pay VIZ
IN" real hero OF the story is the revoiutionis.S
Ger, Ri instead Of the poet The singer OF ,e pa
oh,v and a word of credit is the due OF All WHO
we're concerned in the performance "om oa az The
chorus Had the opportunity DE, peeh word into a
chapter for Nine. Scalchi. who sang ana aor $3.50
single short scene in which she appearen IL ness
old blind woman with so uS dIance interrupted the
orera 70 recall her again and again. Signor Tango
conducted with superb spirit and Skill