The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-18

n1sIba's Rcappenrnnce Here as VIoletta In ia
Traviatn."

Aolbn's Renppenrnnce Here as vloletta In LA
Traviatn."
The general aspect OF affairs at the opening of
the Damrosoh season last evening was very
suspicious. A mass of brilliantly dressed
people filled the Metropolitan, and there was
that atmosphere of jubilation and pleasurable
excitement which is inseparable from first
nights. 1t was an essentially Italian opera
crowd, composed evidently of people who prefer
to be emotionally stirred by passionate dramatic
situations and to listen to ear caressing melodies
than to imagine weird tales Of gods and gnomes
while their intellect is called upon to fathom
Of everything offered for their contem.
Rlation. and exceedingly cheerful, though
received a Cordial ere epPn%uS0' on Me ber
entrance as did also Campanari, who has de-
cSfrvealy SO many ardent admirers among judi:
q them with that, emptify gorgeous pa
. and uDG s0ominef isv y, which signihes splendor
other representing the pretty blooming garden
o. La IraTiata,s villa and another the sick
enamoer. all OF them familiar to opera habitues
ahn unchanged in any single particular.
ihe principal singers OF last evening. Melba,
t nsasnS %m and Sampanari, arc old acquaintances,
was Conceded that n,S't drama sSeslRs' s Te'n wa IS
s sEsalIy i, itnGSGianPetent for tho role, while mu.
exquisite quality Of her voice must always
S Hiss "a listener. and perhaps nature was
etcapaclty for acting. Certain 1t is that when
me stands calmly about the stage and sings
WIZ repose,, undisturbed by futile attempts to
~ y heard at, her very best. Any actress
VINO can so shatter ali tho canons OF art
bit ~ n 70 remove, impulsively it is true,
~ nevertheless. with unerring accuracy as to
III whereabouts OF hatpins. an immense edifco
r. ntaasear. AS Melba did in the midst of a scene
~ ~ which she was supposed TO be suffering aRonies
y mingled love, remorse. and fear. cannot be
accredited with the keenest possible sensitive
= g . % IN the matter either Of dramatic necessities
SS a." que demands OF good taste. Such smaller
nStaiis as snatching a note from a servant,
SS, WI yn Trusting out one foot and pending
!ectionable, but they do not heighten the gem
Srdl average of her actinR's level. Most char
iM lady considered. Melba is able to portray with
lI W. might be made q splendid dramatic study.
has ev HS,Ge hSs spread since last year. There
e%'ronse:rr '" and o fsIIes an W siittssmPt TO make eba u
%hIls her I ,''S Ss"ss hs sSs BY yn'n shis q D%osss;
beautiful. This path should. however, not
eSdd followed too far. as she has not the
or pm%Hmrgnt for either broad or dramatic
so lind her best effects in light
the only MOrkw where agility and gayety were
in figure han t1uen ms: i S,eiSe eo Is mdch Iod ahsh bHar
Yer Tor this reason. NJ. Saiignac was in excel
~ voice, and rose to some OF tho more
NNhaEgiS SITUATIONS with that ease and force
He e'Tm we have seen him use in former seasons.
VII VII never sings with such beauty of tone as
ann nIdcr the stress OF simulated ~frenzios of
n nitd or another. Then he pours forth mag
inte eV oi."h tones with widely stretched throat
asr ctIn n : focused and strongly vibrant. His
ON ~ usually correct and impressive.
nanPahaFis voice is never anything but
ccsILeeahle, while there is a solid dignity and a
Inn reserve in all that he does which act as n
sceHo u universal steadying to all else upon the
b~iSnor l'lnboni conducted last evening. and.
Shows heeping his forces in excellent order, he
isis Ibmt an tInllblc Willingness to oblige the ar
I'm Wy oIlnwing their reasonable desires as to
sion. """fo anu oIher MARKS OF express
Cnuoso who took minor roles were Nine. Van
ViS;;oIGh Nine. Mattfeld and Messieurs Vanni,
'''ahl, Rains and