The sun., 1898-02-20
NOTES OF THE OPERA IN EUROPE.
Maurel In Berlin-New Works Talked Or-An
Explanation by MascaGui.

Victor Maurel, whom the Berlin papers style
Mr., ," is shortly to be heard at the Royal Opera
House in Berlin, and that will mark his first ap-
pcarance in Prussia. He. like Sarah Bernhardt
always said that he would accept nothing but
Alsace Lorraine as compensation for singing in
Germany. SO far as the reports so. he is not to
receive that reward. He will sing in Don Gil
ovanni' and "Falstaff." The chief part in the
latter opera was first intrusted to Reichmann OF
Vienna, who was to have sung it in Ber.
lin in German. But it has now been
given to Maurel, who will, OF course, sing
the role in Italian. Maurel was to have gone
directly to Berlin five years ago with an Italian
company to produce Falstaff." But he went
TO Paris instead. and now that he is finally 60
ing to the Prussian capital he is anxious to
have 1t understood that he neglected Berlin be.
fore. not because he had any patriotic objcc-
tions TO singing there but on account of his
agreement with Verdi. which compelled him 10
sing FaistGT in Paris before 1t was given in any
other city.
Marcella Sem brich recently sang with Arthur
Sikisch at one OF the Philharmonic concerts in
Berlin. and the audience is said to have been the
largest that has gathered in the Philharmonic
at the Roy al Opera House. Her Russian appear.
ances will be preceded by n series OF concerts in
the German cities. At concert TO be given in
Breslau every seat in the theatre was sold
three weeks before the date OF ner appearance.
Hs eai bs sen ~ rar % az me Eot
living in retirement All her concert engage.
mcnts have been cancelled. and she will not
she will give "a concert in London and sing in
the various English PROVINCIAL cities. When she
Carlo
Berlin are Rungcr Return Of Giyssrps rs!r Err r.
hangers ,",Inez Mendo;" and Leoncavallo's
Sans at yhSa aSa
made little or no Impression. is also announced
at Frankfort and Hamburg, both important
connections have doubtless had their effect.
MSnich is shortly to present Bruneau's
only in Paris. Puccini has composed the
music N f9r an opera based based on m the life
has lately been able to meet question which
contronts every opera house. One OF the bari
ZONES tncre ionnd suaaeniy that ms voice had
tenor repertoire. He did that with success and
went to Vienna 70 make his debut rather than
which had known him as q baritone so long.
He has now returned to the Dresden Opera a full
Albert Carre has set Alfred Ernest. the
famous Wagner translator. at work on "a new
give at the Opera Comique next season. 1t has
not oeen heard for many years in Paris. For;
Opera. but it disappeared many years lsG ago. It
VIII be sung without the customary recitativo
Eriten BY BgToz i hHs eeGn proposed at the
plan has encountered great opposition. 1t is
urged that the work is unsuited to the taste OF
the present day and to the size OF the opera
house as well. A recitative will be written il the
work is given. but that IL now improbable. A
new work at the, Opera Comi9ne will be The
Isle OF Dreams" written by Rcynaldo HUM,
with music by Andre Alexander and George
Hartman.
Alascagni has lately been very frank. Tho
Scala Orchestra. now that the theatre is closed
TO operate performances, will give a series OF
concerts lig was asked to conduct them. bu;
direct tho concerts at La Scala" he wrote to q
friend. They preferred me, moreover. TO
Richter. who is probably the greatest German
conductor. must prepare myself TO become q
director. and will gain nonors in that direc-
ton WAS not born to compose operas / am
In my right place only In The directors chair.
] cannot do otherwise. feel that was In
tended for a conducto8s"