The herald., 1897-10-31

Have you seen the opera? has been a
ten days. The form of the inquiry suffi-
ciently indicates what is uppermost in
the minds of those who are not musi-
clans, but who are simply music lovers
and who go to the opera as much for the
sake of what they can see as for what
they can hear.
outside of the professional devotees
of music whose eXacting standards are
varied with each individual, there is a
large class of music lovers who do not
pose as cognoscenti, but who like the
opera because they admire good singing
and lovely costumes and beautiful stage
settings, and feel entranced when the
power and the sweetness of the chorus
is accompanied by the wonderful har-
mOny of a large and well-trained or
chestra. This latter class of people is
not accustomed to analyse it's sensa-
tions, but it is influenced as much by
the eye as by the ear, and as it is numer
ically the stronger, it's standard must be
shall not only sing as the composer re-
quires, but the singer must look, dress
and act SO as to produce the dramatic
effect Of the character. 1t signifies moth
ing to the average opera-goer that the
representative of Verdi's Leonora be
able to sing divinely; he will criticise
her for her adiposity, or because her
skirt hangs too short in front, or be-
cause of some inconsistency of costume
Such people demand too much. The
first purpose of an opera company is
complied with it's members can sing
and sing adequately to the demands of
the score. That they should be assisted
by competent orchestra goes without
saying.
But why inject all these attempts at
histrionic art, and clap--trap theatrical
devices that deceive nobody. Why
should the singers be compelled to ap-
pear in attire that not only in many
cases reveals their physical defects, buy
is generally incorrect and often absurd
All that the true musician wants is
music. He can listen to an opera will
closed eyes and enjoy it more than wher
demands are made upon his credulity
by being compelled to witness the gyra-
tions of a-yellow legged niger minstrel
60 nthallo. sing he never so divinol5';
the efforts of a heavyweight prima
donna to personate consumptive hero
inc, even if she have the sweetest voice
under heaven.
In oratorio music, the audience is al
ways satisfied that the parts of the
earthly, and of the heavenly, personages
shall be sung by people in ordinary even
ing dress. No one wants it otherwise.
There is then nothing incongruous to
interfere with the elevation of the
theme, as there would be if the singers
were to assume to character the parts
by painting and lining their faces and
dressing up in fancy costumes under the
direction Of a stage manager.
It may be considered a revolutionary
idea, but this is an age of change, and
/ want to say that the existing method
of present Italian opera is all wrong
from the dramatic standpoint. With
such rare exceptions as only serve to
prove the rule, the lyric artist is never
able to personate adequately his or her
role, judged by the dramatic standard.
If this be the case, why not adopt the
oratorio method. discarding all attempts
at personation, save such as are con-
veyed in the inspired music of the COM
poser himself. The tone may be fiery,
or soft, and may be interpreted accord
ing to the composers intention, but why
spoil all by inadequate acting and poor
and shabby stage setting? The prevail
ing practices in the representation of
Italian opera are a hollow attempt at
humbug, deceiving nobody and spelling
the enjoyment of those who wish to have
the music undefled.
+ + +
The admirable work that is being done
by the new stock company playing at
the Burbank is meeting with kindly en-
couragement. The players are really
equal in ability to the average travel
ing company that comes here from the
east the difference being that the trav-
cling company, playing in one or two
pieces, is letter perfect and knows the
business through the drill of many re-
hearsals, while the local stock company
is at a disadvantage in being obliged to
furnish a change of bill each week. In
the latter case the work is immensely
hard, as, while piece is being played at
night, another one is being rehearsed
by day. Few people have an idea of the
hard work that has to be done by the
principals in local organization of this
kind.
The success of the company is natur-
ally attracting the attention of other
managers. l hear that Frawley is ang-
ling for Blakemore, the clever comedian
OF the cast, and inducements from other
sources are being held forth to Miss
Truax and Miss Henry. 1t is to be hoped
that the management here will contriye
to keep the company up to it's present
standard of excellence.
+ 4