New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-25
NJ USIC.
PERFORMANCE OF AIDA"


The representation given to Verdfs "Aida oy
the Damrosch-Ellls forces at the Metropolitan
Opera House recalled many predeccssors put t''e
comparisons in which the veteran opera-soers III
dulged were not 10 the advantage OF the perio'"'-
ance under review The evening was not an an-
splcious one In any respect The New-forH p"o''@
IS an amiable one. much more inclined 10 my
Itself than 70 find fault When Aida" was lss'
heard here urder the archonship OF Mapieson d" Inc
Academy OF Music. with no one In the cast 10 ",'o
an Individual interest could be attachen' ue"s'.
was found In the sincerity OF everybody concerned
and the spirited manner in which the ense'ho'eS
sung IT was a crude enough periol"a"oo'
that no one will deny but II was vital and mao
sort Of elemental fOrcefulress which compehen re-
spect and Invited admiration Last night NINE.
Ne ba essayed the title role and put All the ne"''
she has In It, II needed not the experiment 10
persuade those who know the nature OF the par.
that # would not be wise to put up the pegs oi
expectation too high There are things III music
which cannot be taken by violence. win the ies-
sons OF the last decade before us. 1t wou.d " u''-
gracious TO rebuke her for wishing TO add 10 ne'
repertory some OF the roles which appear 10 NV
emotions OF people manifestly weary OF
the old hurdygurdy list; but 1t would De
idle 70 close ones eyes. she ana ner
friends seem have done. 10 the fact mat II
Is better 10 DO well the things which lie easy ana
naturally within the bounds o! possibility lha" "
strive for other things whose attainment u uuuou
Especially l. TINS true l the StrlNllk II '7"
Gus 10 the voice Verdi Is more consderate oi '"e
vocal organs than Wagner. Everybody knows mat
and IL would be Just pitiful 70 gain ne" AiaA
al the cost OF the characters which are native 10
Nine. Me.bas unique gifts rs 1t would nave oeeh
last year TO have new Brinnhlie 81 me same
expense. The earnes;ness and ambition OF the ART
lst are admirable-almost pathetlcally admiraoie
but her wisdom Is doubtful She sang without spar
Ing herself last night and in the Nile ana last ACT
her voice sounded delicious. even though she iahed
10 nfIse into her singing any OF the real dramatic
spirit which tho part and composer cal toi.
or the others In the cast there IS 10 Heed 10 say
much newcomer Nine. Brazil. enacted the
part 81 Amneris and her performance. though far
from perfect vocaly. yet the only ono worthy
Of Ing paired with Signor Campanaris as an
exposition Of dramatic contents. She is an AHeri-
can woman with good presence. real warmth OF
fealing and correct Instincts Her voice. however
is il-schooled and uneven the lower register forced
and hollow The tenor hos. whose Faust last
SATURDAY invited q kind silence. is singer Win
nallid voice and worst Of the vocal wees OF the
French school and his countryman. Boudouresque,
* trenueutlv ds;ressful in the same wofu. wabDy
manner This singer figured as the Ramphls VI "
occasion and Stehmann. who belongs 10 ''e yin
nsry.s German contingent was the King ms
voice lacking in vitality. was yet true ana s'e"uS'
raker altogether Signor Campanaris AHohas''
y,s the most satisfa Glory imper'onatloh Vi ''e
evening