New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-27
BERLIOZ'S LAST OPERA.
ia PRISE DE TRO1E," FIRST HALF on
LES TROYENs," PRODUCED IN PARIS

Last night the National Academy Of Music.
where for nearly half a century the doors havs
remained closed for Hector Berlfoz's imposing
bi-fold lyric composition Les Troyens"-pro.
duced La Prise de Troie." the first half OF the
work, and, according to present arrangements
Les Troyens Carthage"-the second half
will be brought out before the close OF the sea.
son. Until now the work has been given only
in German, and 1t was the performance OF la
Prise de Troe" last winter at Carlsruhe. which
was witnessed by NJ. Ernest Reyer, that induced
NJ. Gaihard. one Of the managers Of the Paris
Opera, to bring out the last and most elaborate
production OF Berlioz on the stage for which II
was originally intended.
To appreciate the reparation thus accorded
last night by the National Academy Of Music
to the memory Of the author OF THE Damnaton
Of Faust" 1t should be remembered that Rich.
ard Wagner and Hector Berlioz were. during
the second empire, most bitter and feroclous
rivals Berlioz had devoted three years to put
ting together the most salient episodes Of Viz
gil's Eneid and working them up into what he
conceived to be "Shakespearian drama" in
music, and which he fondly imagined would be
the music of the future" When completed the
lyric drama was found TO be Of such length that
the manager of the opera at the time. Alphonse
Roger. who wrote for Donzetti the hbretto Of
La Favorita," calculated that the performance
Of It would last over eight hours. Roger had.
moreover not forgotten the failure Of "Benve-
nuto Ceni" the only work OF Berlioz that had
until then been produced at the Paris Opera,
and turned a deaf ear TO the entreaties OF Ber-
Iioz, who was at that time the musical critic Of
the journal des Debats." The composer then
sought the protection Of the Emperor, knowing
the marked taste Of Napoleon III for the clas-
scs The Due de Morny Minister OF Public In
struction, held out some vague hopes that Les
Troyens" would, after all. be brought out. But
the CONSERVATION OF Berlioz may be imagined
when he learned that the Emperor, instead Of
ordering its production, had given directions
that the National Academy Of Music should at
once take in hand Richard wagners Tam
hSuser."
GREAT WORK CUT IN TWO.
Berlioz in despair cut his magnum opus IN
two The latter half. under the title OF Les
Troyens Carthage" was accepted by NJ. Car
yalho. and was produced at the Theatre Lyriqus
on November a. 1863. It was coldly received.
carvalho cut out four scenes and made several
alterations. One evening Berlioz stood behind
the curtain peeping out at the half filed house.
"They are beginning to come-they are begin
ming to come" said Carvalho. encouragngly.
ming 70 come: but I'm going away" Les
Troyens a Carthage" was forthwith withdrawn.
The composer retired to a little village in Dau-
mime and rearranged the score Of La Prise az
Troie" which had been ''mutilated" by the scis-
sors and the blue pencil marks OF the theatrical
managers Berlioz died thirty years ago. On
his deathbed he gave poignant expression 70
his regret that he should never see his heroic
virgin Cassandra, the heroine OF La Prise dc
Troie' walk and live upon the stage
Yesterday, upon the occasion OF the hrst
night" OF La Prise de Troie.' the audience was
more brilliant and enthusiastic than any thal
had ever greeted the compositions OF berHoH
during his lifetime. The Presidential poX vas
empty owing to the death Of member OF u.
Loubet's household. but among the occupants OF
other boxes the most prominent person
ages Of Partisan society. including the AmOas-
sailors Of the United States. Italy. Turkey ana
Austria, Baroness Alphonse de Rothschha'
Princess Murat, Duchesse de Botano. Nlcom'esss
de Tredern Nine Constants. General Gallieni' OF
Madagascar fame. and almost all the Minister'S
THE ACTION OF THE PIECE
The action is based the story told by
IEneas to Dido in the second book OF The
Eneid" The curtain rises upon the deserted
camp Of the Greeks Trojans rejoice IN the
fresh air Of the open country after their long
confinement within the walls of Troy There "
an inspiriting Trojan March," and Joyful
dance The famous wooden horse is discovered.
! Cassandra appears, and to the music OF str'nsea
instruments denounces the horse as creek
! stratagem. She is unheeded. The love interest,"
is restricted to Cassandra and Chorebes, and'
/ although Cassandra's adnirer Is ardent enough
in his protestations OF devotion. the heroine
al
lend more than half an to his pleadns.
There is a majestic hymn Of thanks 10 the sous
The second act presents the Court OF King
! Pram. There are rejoicings and dancing Hero
ensues a Greek wrestling match between sA
/ professional wrestlers selected by the manage
ment of the Opera from the athletes or 'as
! Paris fairs. where Greek wrestling Is ju"
/ now In popular favor. Andromache appears
! leading by the hand Astyanax. the youngest
son Of her slain husband. Hector. This Is musi,l
cally the finest scene OF the work. Andromacns
amid the sounds Of pity from the chorus lays
flowers at the foot Of the altar and LEADS ne'
son TO the aged Priam, who bestows upon MN
his blessing lFneas describes with dramatic m
tensity the death OF LAGOON. Trojan soa'e"
! then drag the horse within the walls OF i'"'
! Cassandra strives IN vain TO prevent tneH.
In the third act the spectre OF Hector appes
10 (tsneaS, VINO is SleeplHS III ilS
diets the destruction OF the city ana t ,hen
high destiny The voice dies away, and the o.
parition-most skilfully arranged-VaiSSn,
Fighting is going on in the streets Troy ,ds,s-
flames. Women invoke the goddess e. n.
Cybele in the temple dedicated TO her. lneISS rs
/ a fine chorus OF vestal virgins. Cassa ,1v
drives away the remnants Of the Trojan soa'I 80,
( who are ready to surrender. Brandlsh.lss .,h
Tyre she chants the hymn OF heroisin ai'a stsIs
: The Greeks invade the temple. Inc nI usi
stab themselves and fall with the cry OF hat that
Italian thus giving force TO the prophecy 40, an
.Eneas shall set out for Italy ana loH"N
empire destined to rule the world.
NINE DELNA AND NJ RENAUp.
The Cassandra was Nine. Delna' WIN "
her debut at the Opera Comiaue soho g.
ago as Dido in Les Troyens Carthage
sunerh voice enabled her to give ample express