Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03
VERDFS WORK.
The Undyfng Popularity of Hi,
Leading Operntic Creations.

AC"uhHe- opSEsteAC STCAsAohss
| From the Chicago Times-Hcrald.
| 1t is singular fact that the three prin-
! cipal operas, aside from AIDA" upon
which his fame rests-"Rigoletto," "Trova-
tore and "Traviata"-were written and
i produced consecutively within the two
years ending March. 1858. Verdfs inspira-
ton worked without interruption during
that time, and he gained a position OF mu-
steal authority such as but few men have
ever attained. Thus for more than forty
years he has lived in the enjoyment of ex-
traordinary honors. Other great composers
have died without realizing that fame
which an unkind fate did not permit to
| reach fruition until the turf had grown
thick on their graves. Verdi gained re-
nown with his three great operas, and then
practically rested on his oars for almos:
twenty years, when he electrified the world
with "Aida,'' the opera which is likely to
outlive all his other works. I'm Ballo"
was not without merit, but it did not strike
fire, and it thus remained for Aida to
demonstrate that the flame of genius still
burned brightly in the composers bosom.
Another long period-sixteen years-elapsed
and "Othello' was given out. Although
remarkable work for a man of such adj
vGnced age, this opera lacks the inspiration
Of either the '"Trovatore'' or Aida per-
icds, and with "Falstaff," which came a
few years later, must be regarded with es-
TEEN chiefly in consequence of the circum-
stances incident to its composition. Had
Verdi undertaken to set Shakespeara;s
great tragic story to music in the heat and
passion of his younger days, it might have
ranked as his masterpiece. But the fires
had burned low before he attempted
"Othello' or "Falstaff," and these won
derful creations were too much for genius
that had fallen into the sere and yellow
leaf.
If popularity were a sure test Of merit,
Goeve is of the opinion that Verdi would
iEdisputably be regarded as the greatest
operate composer of the second half of this
century. In 1850 the great Italian COM
posers had all passed away. Bellini and
Donizetu were gone. Rossini, though still
living In Paris, was dead to music. OF the
old school there were in Italy only Mer-
cadante, Petrella and Parisini. Out of Italy
were Meyerbeer, Auber. Gounod and Wag-
ner, though Meyerbeer and Auber are to be
reckoned among the composers of the first
half of the century. Since 1850 Italy has
produced Boito Ponchielli Marchetti and
Mascagni; France, Massenet and Bizet;
Germany, Goetz and Goldmark. Among
the entire number Verdi, Wagner and Gou-
nod must be designated as the greatest
composers of their respective nations, and
1t Is likely that in general popularity among
all classes Verdi ranks at the head of the
st. 'Trovatore," 'Trayiata," "Rigoletto''
and aida" have probably been rendered
more frequently than any other four operas
in the standard repertory, and thus Verdi
occupies position quite unique.
Recently there has been manifest dis
position among those who delight in being
considered advanced to ridicule the me-
lodic sweetness and the involved ornamen-
ia ton Of the Verdi operas. An attempt is
made to discredit both their dramatic and
musical value, and that not without some
success. But SO long as the world loves the
bel canto. the bravura singer, the prima
donna who revels in vocal pyrotechnics,
such operas as Verdi wrote can never lose
their place in the repertory. They must
submit to divided interest now that the
intensely dramatic school of operate music
has made its way into such prominence.
But Verdi will survive in AIDA" If not in
'.Trayiata." and it will be long after the
close of the present century, If at all, be-
fore lovers of music win be willing to fore
go the alluring melodic beauties Of ''Trova-
tore and "Rigoletto."
Aida" upon which the permanent fame
Of the master is likely to rest, was written
by order of Ismael Pasha, the Khedive of
Egypt. who furnished the Hbretto and paid
Verdi 100000 francs for the music, the
largest sum he ever received for a single
work.
And SO the record is made up. Verdi,
hating upon the confines OF another world
can lock back over an extraordinary career,