New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29

and two newcomers. Frau Cziuk and Herr
Costa, did good work. Herr Zumpe conducted
the orchestra for the first time in London. and
kept his forces we'll In hand
Nine. Eames sang In Faust with all her
old-time sweetness and brilliancy and NJ. Plan
con shared In her triumph Miss Margaret Reid
also made her mark as Sebel and was heartily
received Last night three American singers.
Miss Zelie de Lussan. Miss Adams and Miss
Roudez, were heard in Carmen" with the old
time favorlte Mlle- Bauermeister. Tonight
Nine. NOrdlca returns to the London stage In
Tristan und Isolde" with NJ. Jean de Reszke,
NJ Edouard de Reszke. Miss Brema and Herr
Van Rooy. This promises TO be the browning
performance Of the week The conductors this
week have been Signor Mancinelli, NJ Plon and
Herr Zumpe With three cycles OF The Ring
In prospect for June. and with a large force or
Bayreuth singers still IN reserve. the season Will
certainly be the most brilliant one which Covent
Garden has known Mr.. Grau has Sc
cured the services Of nearly every well-known
singer. and is SURPRISING the best achievements
Of previous opera management In London Roy
atty. society and musicl lovers have united in
unexampled support Of his ambitious under
taking 10 convert the English capital. Mt least
for one season. into the musical centre OF
Europe.
There Is a strong cross-current IN the stream
flowing with swollen current through PiccadiHy
every afternoon at the entrance to Burlington
House The Royal Academy has never beeh
more popular than It is this season During
the winter the galleries were crowded day hi'eT
day for the Mas show. The spring eNhioi-
ton possesses similar powers of attraction TOT
the galleries are so densely thronged morning
and afternoon that Il IS hardly possible FOR the
visitor TO see any picture that is not above inc
line There u.s. indeed, a dress parade every
afternoon and ladies out not so much from
interest in art as from a desire to see spring
hats and gowns At the Academy as ut the
opera clothes and style more important
and satisfying than high art. The VISITORS
rather than the pictures are on exhibition.
Mr. Sarsent's theatrical portrait OF MISS
Letter is not regarded his most successtuI
work this year, although It is conspicuous'y
hung in the long gallery, with capi'aI lo"
near by Among his eight portraits III INC
Academy the one which fasc'nates the eye VII"
It's intensity OF vitality Is that OF MT. AS"e'
Wertheimer 1t is a rich. dramatic ana power
w, work No visitor can pass It without long
nause IT is a picture with race characteristics
and +, does not involve fattery Of the SUBJECT
out from the soft luminous tones OF the back
cround The thumbs are bent back Ike the
claw Of a bird Of prey, and there Is an ep!toIne
~ generations O. inherited talent for bargain
inc IN the cold. watchful eyes A black poodle
in the corner. with red tongue and bright eye
committees the picture. The realism IS Inerciless
and terrible. There is sympathy for the poodle
| but no pity for the master.
| Mr. Arthur Melville. in tho New Gallery, mas
gone even further than Mr.. Sargent In Dis I'M
pressionst revelation Of character his pof-
trait OF Mrs. Graham Robertson IN tha'
gallery Is one Of the most astonishing pictures
ever painted. II Is a huge canvas IN "hich d
stout lady is exhibited in a voluminous gown. II
the painter had deliberately attempted to rdi-
| Guile the lady by carcaturing her FOR the side
show OF circus he could hardly have been
more successful. There is amazing cleverness
in the boldness Of the brush work. but the sub
feet has been deprived Of all dignity or charac-
| ter Mr. z. T Reed, who had travestied III
| Punch the portrait OF Mr.. Wertheimer Win
q caricature Of q pedler trying 10 sell DOS
was constrained 70 reproduce Mr. Melville
picture illustration OF high lNe beio"
stairs with n sauce pan behind the figure and
the tag underneath: IT'S missus come ONE
and caught me settin' for yer IN 'er moo Velass-
! ky gownd and a nice mess I've made on it'
| Realism is indeed becoming snare FOR the
unwary rich when lady can be transformed
into a cook or a circus attraction. and a wide
awake man OF business into dog-seller on
vulture Unless fashionable portrait painters
! take warning they will find their custom slip
ping away from them. II grotesQue and cynical
| studies OF real life are triumphs Of portraturc.
who will venture TO face impressionst artist?
]. y. Il.