The sun., 1899-12-28
7HE OPERf.
"Don Giovanni" with n Fine Cast, InciuJ-
Ing Two Singers New Here.


Ing Two Singers New Here.
Don Giovanni" was sung at the Metropol.
itan Opera House last night to Introduce a new
barytone and return some OF the favorite
singers OF the company to the local public in
roles associated in the past with their popu-
larity. 1t Ia not unjust 20 ascrlbe
the performance OF Mozart's immortal opera
to that desire on the part Of the management
as IL IL rather as n medium for display
Ing brilliant collections OF singers that
the opera ia nowadays presented. The
beauty OF its melodies. familiar as they are
would In all probability mako little appeal TO
the public II they wero sung by performers
only capable OF delivering them in satisfactory
fashion The exacting audiences OF the day
demand dazzling combinations. For the lack
OF them the wealth OF lovely melodies that the
opera contains cannot be made to compensate.
In tb, past some OF the most brilliant singers
that we're ever heard on the local stage gath
cred together In the Interpretation OF the work
AMI there was an earlier period In which
less emphasis was put on the character of
the performers A recent investigator has
discovered that in one month nearly half a
century ago the opera was sung nine times
under circumstances which showed that It
was the genius OF Mozart. and not the inter-
prefers that gave such vitality to tho
work. But that was long before Don
Giovanni had come near tho one
hundred and fiity-if performance. which. in
accordance with the same interesting author
ity. was reached last night. IL may lie true
that the standards OF musical taste have
that the public attitude has changed in regard
20 the relative importance OF the work and It's
As Don Giovanni" has come to be the occa-
bo r ra6aas H snsrs y maSt be s
IN
attra ted attention last year. even in u sesspn
that was art!stieal!y on higher plane than any
Lehmapn's i'm pressive Donna Anno was miss.
ing. aud that circumstance deprived the aud
nired last year But She was present in
yesterdays performance in tho role assumed
Inst year by Nine. Lehman. Nine
representation thus retained much OF its
former, brilliancv. The Part ia not one that
singing Of Mozart Mozart Is Is I rare delight lis '' D'' "''
Mme Nordica, who made her first appear.
ssSg p o me bs nar snf S wn s
performance q Do"na AmHa has frequently
her best achievements Nile. Suzanne
ASs%s in spite Of her ireagGn
a admrSby Edensra E d. s1R Res1sea aS 2a 2.D1
| is perfect performance in its humor and
pnction. apd his SINGING Inst night showed that
n.guiEed on the tour N; sqliEnae Is az excel \.
aria In admirable fashion.
Two newcomers were heard last night fol
the first time here. Sig Scott. who appeared as
Don GiOrdnni. Is young italian barytone Will
q fresh. resonant voice OF agreeable quality
His uso OF II Is by no means fau'tless
for his singing Is marred occasionally
by an unpleasant vibrato. He Is an actor o.
distinction and elegance, his appearance Is at
tractive and his performance was In its en-
sesses the qualities necessary for tht
Italian roles to n greater degre" thar
any OF his recent predecessors a. hs has voc,
| In addition to intelligence aud grace in action
His success with last nights audience wa:
undouhtsd.
Sig Plricorsi was the best hdseto that the
stage OF the metropolitan has seen under III,
| present management.
sig. Mancinell conducted with appreciation
| and the stage management was better thai
usual. There was even an orchestra in tn,
ball-rO scene, which shows u tendency 4