The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-04
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS

"'f Aah So "
health, It IL only fair to expect that the succeed.
Ing wagnerian performances at the Metropoli-
tan will gain greatly In brilliancy through her
cooperation. II has been some time since any
wayncrian singer here has ,riunphed as Nile.
Ternina did In -TannhAuser' and there was no
reason for diminished delight after her Brunn'
hide was revealed on Wednesday last, In all
Its salient features. her art WAS identical. There
were the same eloquenos, intelligence and imagi-
nation In her acting. She gives more signin-
canoe to the conventional wagnerian gestures
than any woman since Lii lehman. When
Nine. Lehman WAS walked from her long
sleep in -Sisefried" and lifted her hands to greet
the sun. there was an immense meaning In every
gesture. The heart Of the awakened Valkyrie
maiden was laid bare in the attitude OF rapture
and delight with which abe raised her arms to
greet the light. In the treatment her successors
give to this scene, one gets only the idea Of an
uninspired imitation that shows the accustomed
gesture, but no trace Of is meaning. Mile, Ter
nina found az much in every detail Of the role
Of Einabett. and her meeting with TdnnhduSer
In the second act, the betrayal Of her 10y a, greet
ing him again and the sudden emharrassmcnt at
the thought that she has shown this feeling.
were charming episodes in the earlier scenes
~ a. 'lNAhF ~ ~ u u''skh "a ~ rS inv h'i
an EIisdbe!h who welcomed the guests with en-.
thusiasm and one who had an expression OF va.
RED interest for every new arrival, instead of
allowing them ~ pass inditerenuy before her.
1t WAS unfortunate that the arrangement OF the
throne, which Is a relic OF the time that, Nine.
Melha sang Elizabeth, hid Mile, Terminus face
rom the audience during most OF the second
act, but this defect will doubtless be remedled
before "Tannhauser" Is sung again. In all proba.
bili,y 1t will be seen frequently, so long as there
pony. Combined with all this impressive dra-
matte ability ~ her beautiful voice, which Is man
aged with a skin that makes hsr ,o 'alism a de-
light In Itself. German singers with such a
method Of voice production as Mile, Ternina
possesses are rare TO day. In Die W0Asuere'
on Wednesday, night, an unfamiliar Brunnhtid.
was presented by the young soprano Her voice
as well as her manner Of singing made 1t improha-
bic that She would prove 10 be one Of the shrek.
ing, strenuous .AnaLons who have been seen
IN the part SO frequently that this conccp-
ton Of the role has come To be- looked upon as
tha correct one. 1t was the tender and human
side Of the Nalkyrie maiden that she emphasized,
and she was the loving daughter and sister, rather
than a barbatiC IenihisiCd. Her scene with
L,itl as She leaves Woiln after the acrimonious
DISCUSSION between the two, gave u fair example
% Nile TernlnA ability to illuminate scenes
generally unnotlced with suggestive and artistic
action, which seems So suited 10 the situa.
tilon that on, Is surprised II has never been
on the STAGE, hut her face is handsome In rather
n heroic mold and she is a figure Of dignity and
grace always. In every detail OF her acting,
tl"ta Is never iDlnd any StrdlnlnS dItef erect,
merely for n" sake II doing something uncom-
mon or startling. Like her singing, IL Is inspired
only by the loftiest union Of art, intelligence and
deep feeling
Albert Alvarez leaves this country shortly after
his performance OF Rdoui on Wednesday night
NJ Alvarez has shown himself the possessor Of a
voice which is one Of the greates, in its natural
merits TO he heard on the operate stage to-day,
with abundant dramatic temperament and a plen-
tiful lack Of musicianship and taste in his singing.
Some othis performances improved with repetition.
AT one Saturday evening representation he sang
Romeo in a fashion he never approached at any
other time during his STAY here and sho wed that
purity oilntonation and less tempestuous robust
ness OF method wero sometimes possible in
him. VI. Alvarez ought 10 be one Of the great
tenors Of his day, and 1t is already acknowledged
in some places that he is entitled 10 this distinction.
II IS Characteristic Of New York audiences TO care
for refinement taste and nrti singing. rather than
for mere natural boa uty Of voice. Under no cir.
''imstances is false lntOaauon 10 be tolerated.
1t will be interesting 10 observe whether or not
NJ Alvarez returns next year 10 this country.
Mr. Grau contemplates a mp to Mexico, and no
doubt NJ. Alvarez would please as much there
as he has in some Of the smaller American cities.
Top notes are popular down there. aad pounding
on the stage with hiS feet would probably be re-.
gart"d a. no serious objection tn a enor'sdtamatic
method. II VI. Alvarez returns TO tins country
next season, II will not be as the successor to Jean
de Hes7ke. That idea is enough 10 evoke a smile.
lie may return, and in strongly dramatic roles
OF the Italian repertoire he wall always le esteemed
q valuable artst But he will never I've seriously
discussed again as NJ de ReSzke's successor
HIS departure lea yes the work Of the company
on the shoulders uf NM Sale1a and Van DvCE
Fortunately the former is recovering his health
rapidly and sang Faust in Phlladelphia on Thurs
day with great success lie will be- heard later n
a number 81 The French roles he has nothad an
opportunity 70. sing this year, such as Romeo
and RIoA VI Van DYck'S indlspoSitiOn is only
tpmpurary, and he will ba ready for "T'rSan and
ISOLDE So soon a the orchestra can find time
for sufficient rehearsal NJ npp.l, with hislarSe
ana valuable repertoire, Is always At hand, So
the opera season will probably come 10 a success.
iul termination, in spite Of Jean de R"Szke's
absence. Tie will appear next sea son only in New
York, and VIII make no attempt 10 take part IN
the tom Of Mexico and The West. The New York
season viii in all prnba hilIty be postponed until
the beginning Of 1901, As on extensive orgsniya-
ton like the Maurice tirau Orera COMPANY is not
10 he allowed 10 collide with the public interest
IN the Presidential elections. Butasy etnodonnite
plHnS OF any kind have been made for next season.
Seven weeks Of the season ~ the Metropolitan
have already passed but ,here has not been so
far a single rehearsal OF III Flau,o Maggie" Die
Lustigen Weber Won Windsor or "Herodiada"
1t is not improbable that the season will pass
with only Nikolal's opera an actually among
the promised REVEALS, AS matters exist at the
Metropolitan to-day there Is no time for rehearSals
and without rehearsals only the most familiar
works can no sung. During the coming week
there will be six operate performances in New
York. two in Philadelphia and orc in Brooklyn.
with only one orchestra and one chorus there 4.
very little time left for preparing unfamiliar
operas. The scenery for III Flauto Magico"
was begun last August, bu, II will be no surprise
If the opera is no, sung this winter.
Or Loewe, manager Of the opera house at Bres-
lau, has for some time been anxious TO have con-
troll Of some musical enterprise in this country.
lie il largely interested in the attempt 70 give
= season Of opera in English nj the METROPOLITAN
next fall. This scheme does not seem to have
inspired American singers with a desire to remain
here and dedicate their services 10 tins Organirt-
ZION. Josephine JdCoby, the Contrsito, is gong
IN Paris in the autumn 10 continue there her
studies under Victor C,poul which she began
here before he took up his Position at the Pans
opera. Mrs. Jacobv will sing IN Europa before
returning 10 this country.
HEM Mart.au is to return here in March ard
will play first with the Philharmonic Society.
He Is to perform a concert" by Sindine which
has not been given In this country before. He
WAS very successful during his recent tour in
ermnn
Published accounts n the conduct NJ the
audience at the II :mbourg recital on Thursday
afternoon were grossly exaggerated. As mat
ter Of fact the audience was small and seemed
TO be one of the gatherings usually attracted
TO %piNnists' concerts by the chance ~ hearing