New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-04
MUSIC.
AIDA AT THE OPERA.

r was the privilege OF the audience at the Met
ropoIitan Opera House last night again to rejoice
in the triumph of American singer. Nine.
Eanes appeared for the first time in a new role.
was IN accord with the pomp and circumstance OF
the spectacle which, know IL the Metro
noitsn Opera House, strikes the eye and with
more than ordinary force. It is doubtful whether
there IS any field Of artistic activity in which
v-asua,ees are overcome with such great difficulty
sS IN the operate. II is IN the nature OF things
sbat the majority OF opera patrons should be con-
servative. especially under the present regime
Half century ago they RECALLED ev-
cry season with a number OF works
and their minds kept active With
thoughts OF the doings OF the composers
ssz well as the singers; but in the
midst OF a sterile period. at least in which
the indifference Of the public to novelties in the
operate field has discouraged the production Of
new operas. The greater therefore. is the interest
.n the development Of singers. and especially in
their development along the lines which lead to
the mussco-dramatic standard set by that fruitful
period ST the Metropolitan Opera House. which We
are likely to appreciate more and more highly as
time goes by.
We have heard ard know the masterpieces which
must remain the goal OF composers for a long
time 10 come and now we are eager 10
witness the growth Of singers toward
me ideals which those masterpieces illustrate.
We want TO see them become something else
than the old fashioned singing marionettes And
among the women, least. the leadership in the
movement is maintained by Americans. Last Mon
day Il delightful 10 note the progress Of the
youngest Of American prime dome toward the UNI
~ersai goal We practsed in the easy admira-
tion Of the characteristic beauty OF voice exempi
fed IN Miss Suzanne Adams; there has been full
generation and more OF II in the history of Italian
opera here and abroad Last Monday, however.
there was 70 be observed the budding in Miss
Adams Of the dramatic temperament which must
90 hand in hand with vocal beauty II an oper-
ES nlace the future
economy Of the lyric drama Last night a
fine audience and heard with enthusiasm
how singer Of years experience could start
far in advance of Miss Adams and make a larger
stride toward the goal which when attained, must
compel not only National. but universal aduira-
ton And this singer was Nine Eames-again an
American II is a proud chapter in the annals of
art which the present generation has been and is
privileged TO witness The old notion that grand
opera must be spelled in Italian received charac-
ter1stically rude rebuke when German opera came
IN al the Metropolitan Opera House and set up new
ideals. How strangely the supposed reaction which
set IN with the return OF Abbey. SchoeneI and Grau
has turned out. First there was Italian and
French opera then French and Italian and now
II is French, italian and German. And among the
singers who developing the ideals in dra-
matte singing are Mines. Nordica, Eames. Adams.
Strong and De Lussan-one-haIf Of the women who
sing principal roles. and TO them English is a
mother tongue Under such circumstances why
should opera IN the vernacular be far back in the
perspective OF the operate picture?
verdFs Aida has not Of recent years been one
Of the popular oft repeated operas al the Met
ropoIitan Opera House notwithstanding the beauty
and effectiveness OF the music and the opportunity
gives for the setting forth Of opulent and G.
nificent stage pictures. Last evening. however.
when the work was given for the first time this
year. change seemed to be marked in the public's
attitude toward the work for. If in anticipation
what in store for lovers of italian opera in
its best and potent manifestation, the public
th-onged the opera house, and presented as brave
and brilliant array as has been seen there for
MANY a day II was rewarded with as fine a per-
Torrance OF the opera has been seen and heard
IN this city in the memory Of most operagoers.
Not only was II brilliant and dazzling in all the
matters go make up its superb effectiveness
as a stage picture-Mr. Grau has always achieved
some Of his greatest successes in this direction
with this opera-but the audience felt itself from
the very beginning under the sway Of new spirit
that was aninating the performance. There was
a sweep Of passion and power through it all that
gave a life 10 the progress Of the drama; the
singers seemed spurred TO their highest efforts ard
for once Il made evident that the heart OF the
work had been touched, its true significance laid
bare. The enthusiasm that animated the perform
snce was infectious. and found its way across
the rootIfghts The audience appreciated the oc-
casion as one of especial moment, and was reused
70 an uncommon pitch OF excitement tnat was
vented In an outpouring OF braves and applause
after each act such is seldom vouchsafed 10
reward even the finest achievements Of Mr. Grau's
singers
An unusual interest attached 10 the performance,
in that Il brought several Of the artists besides
Nine Earles concerned in IL before this public for
the first time in the parts they took Nine Eames s
was notable addition 10 the representations OF this
role that are 10 this cfty-one OF the nnest,
indeed that has been seen here and one that
denoted an important increase Of her stature as a
dramatic singer. There was an accent OF passion
and dramatic sincerity in her singing and her act
ing that she has not often reached since she first
disclosed her artistic quality 10 NewYork; and in
appearance she all the striking and individual
beauty that has been before so variously ana de-
NghtfuIly manifested Hers was the chief triumph
Of the evening without doubt; but she shared this
success with the other representatives OF I'M
portant roles-M Alvarez. the Rhadames, and
Sienor Scott the Auaonasro. The former assumed
e part that Is well fitted the robust energy Of
his style one that gives prominence TO his virtues
and makes his faults as little conspicuous as In
the nature Of things they be expected 10 be.
Signor Scott confirmed the good impression he pre-
viously made as singer and actor Nine Manteli
the Amneris and sang with her usual lack OF
charm but with Intelligence and fervor, land NJ
Plsucou the Ranhs. Sglor Mancfnelh con-
Quoted with enthusiasm and conviction
ITSTRTA HOTTD PREPARE FOR WAR.