The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-25

seem that the performances could have been
improved 10y less rigid adherence to the Ger
man opera houses. But distinguished siagers
appearance is worth the time and III trouble
necessary for participation in the festivals
Anton Van Rooy will sing Hans Socts there
for the Nrst time during this season. Franz
Fischer of Munich will conduct there in place
Of herman Levi. Who will not go to Basreuth
years ago nj budapest under Hans Richter
II 1917 he was chorus master AZ Bayreuth.
The orGheSirn will this year include l21 play
ers. who will come from Germany. RUSSIA.
Austria and France. The urerpnderancs OF
comparative mediocrities in the productions
aS most OF the seats for tho season hre already
sold. II is for the general impression Of the
a,mNsnhers and spirit OF the works arc 10 he
enjoyed there as nowhere outside 81 Germany.
even If the performances are frequently un-
satisfactory in detail.
Tho London lmrrosario quoted by the au-
thor OF II contribution TO the Nineteenth Cen
tTV.has an idea Of public taste not justified
bv the actual situation here or probably in
England. He bemoans the lack Of singers
who might enable him to revive works like
Cherubini's "Medea." Spontini's "Nestale"
Donzettrs "Lucrezia Borgln,' or :Bsllinis
Norma" The successor the Coyent Garden
season this year has been chiefly with the Wag-
ner operas. and at those performances in
which Mr.. G:au gave something like New
York all. star cast. There has heen no de.
mand for the older Italian works eXcopt a. the
medium OF Nine. Melhas appearances. She
sang in Lucia di l.ammermoor" and was tC
have appeared in "RiGoletto.' But she vas
taken i'll ana the opera was POSTPONED. There
were several available GHddS in lhc company.
but. convinced that the audience had come Tor
tho singer and not the oonera. Mr. Gr@u suhsti.-
been heard more than three or four times in
London since 1870. when Nine. Titiens an
night for Nine. LII Lehman. Il Is not
likely that II will be repeated. II Puritani'
has not Geen sung In London for six wears.
AMI II has been long time since La Son.
HambuIa' Vas on the programmes nt vent
last year and will be revived this season for
one performance. But there Is no demand for
the older Italian repertoire there, aid the Wag.
merriam performances seem to absorb ii larger
part 81 the season every year. London IS now
in The same state OF mind toward the Wagner
works that New York was In fifteen years ago.
Three cycles were given this season at CoVsnt
Garden. and a winter season OF Wagner works
only Is 10 be given next winter al the Lyceum
Theatre. SO there is not likely to be any re-
turn TO the earlier Italian operas for some
yenrs To come, II. indeed. there Ia ever. That
there are few singers able tC sing them IL true
enough, but the popularity OF this school has
not declined because there are no sin gers avail.
able. MarCella Sembrlch, who Is ncknOWl-
edged TO possess the singers art in greater
measure than anybody else on the Operatio
stage since hLeIira Pdtti's practical retire
fused last yNnr To- aTupnr in La Sunnamhuln'
because she thought public lasts had driftsd toe
far away from works o! this kind. she re-
vlyed lucia III Lammerm after II had not
enabled La TrayIata' to have more repre
sentations than IL had received for years She
did the same service Cor Rossini's III Bar
biere dI Seyiglia.' but she declaed to attempt