The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-12
OLA BoHEME" TONIGHT.
Brilliant Closing In Sight for the
Grand Opera Season.


Grand Opera Season.
Not since Mascagnis "Cavalleria Rusti-
cana" and Leoncayallo's IT Pagliacci''
created a furore in the musical worlds Of
Europe and America has any work ex-
cited much admirtng comment as Puc-
cini's La Boheme." It's immediate
bound into public favor has been occa-
stoned by the fact that it appeals force
fully to both the music lover and the
amusement seeker The one is attracted
by the melodic beauty and the musicianiy
qualities of the score: the other by the
conviction that, 1t, depicts with a hereto
fore unknown verify a phase of existence
always the subject of his lively curiosity
No locale celebrated in song or story
has ever possessed a more universal fas-
cination than the Quarter Latin. It's at
tic philosophers. poets, painters, sculptors,
authors, musicians and grisettes have
peopled a little world viewed by sober hu-
! manity much in the same light as that in
which the child glimpses fairyland. Their
mode of life, it's joys and tragedies, are
deftly pictured by Henri Murger In his
prefact to La Vie de Boheme."
Their existence of every day is a work
of genius, daily problem which they al
ways contrive to solve with the aid of
bold mathematics. When want presses
them, abstemious as anchorites; but IL a
little fortune falls into their hands, see
them ride forth on the most ruinous fam
cies, loving the fairest and youngest,
drinking the oldest and best wines, and,
not finding enough windows whence to
throw their money-then the last crown
dead and buried-they begin again to dine
at the table d'hote of chance. where their
cover Is always laid; contrabandists of
all the industries which spring from art
in chase from morning till night of that
wild animal which is called the crown. A
gay life; yet terrible onei"
Puccini's music Finely evidences his
keen appreciation of the spirit of this ad-
mirably illustratfveh preface which has
also served as Hn Inspiration to his col
laborators, Guiseppei Gfocosa and Luigi
Iliica Although these librettists have
for reasons of musical and dramatic ef-
feet. been obliged Ato depart somewhat
from Murger's moved, they have faithfully
portrayed its characters, have retained
its dramatic and comic episodes and have
infused the coior. life, wit, pathos and
variety delineateds In the celebrated story.
LeoncavaHo Is said to have taken adj
vantage Of the hcenfidence of his friend
Puccfni and, Bunknown to his brother
composer, also wrote an opera based upon
the novel But, Notwithstanding the pres
tige gained for shimjby his mastery COM
position. Il Pagliacpt" and the advantage
of priority in the matter of production.
his opera failed. On the other hand Puc-
cini s. work achieved an instant triumph
and within a year was heard in the lead
ing capitals Of Europe.
Additionally the authentic orchestra
ton, prompt book. costume plates and
scene plots have been secured from G.
Ricordi & CO., the Italian agents for the
composer, and the opera will thus be pro-.
duced with accuracy in every detail by
Mr.. Ellis admirable organization at the
Metropolitan tonight. In fact It will
be one Of tho most Important features Of