The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-21
0peraand Drama
Stars in the Seasons Pfesen-
tation of Wagaerian
Classics in New
York.

VI
Now York. Jan. 19.-(Special.) AS
msuaI New York is enjoying the best thaC
fine world has to offer i'll the way OF
entertainments. and surely it merits all
il receives for it crowns with generous
opnreciation the artist in whatever DE-
partment Of the great world of art, lie
wins his laurels The musical and MS
trionic world has flooded us with sweet
sounds and majestic drama.
First and foremost. of course, ranks
the Grand Opera under the successful
management of Maurice Grau, who has
assembled a host Of wOIad-renowned
singers; but who, rtmor reports, has
saved thousands, aye tens of thousands
of dollars in not making suftlc1entN
strenuous efforts to induce Melba sweet
est. most bird-like of singers, and Jean dc
Reszke. prince of tenors, to add Their
glories to his already distinguished COM
pany. Still we should not complain, tcq
Mr.. Grau gives us such splendid per
formances that only the hypercrltlcal
cavil at his bit of economy. 10 nm
we are indebted for much, not least al
which is the fact that New York is be-
coming the most famous seat of the
opera. the Wagnerian score even beng
presented with finer scenic effect, more
superb sitting, than in Beyrout, its
home.
Italian, French and German operas
have been sung to delighted audiences;
the boxes, orchestra and balconies filled
almost to overlooking. To the lover of
Lohengrin (and who does not love lt:)
that opera without Jean De Reszke ip
the title role, is almost like Hamlet
with the Prince of Denmark left out,
and in all his other roles he will be
greatly missed; but NJ. Saleza, the new
tenor, has a pleasing voice and pres
ence: though. of course, he cannot be
compared to the renowned Pole. Edlard
de Reszke and Plancon leave no want
felt in their departments; and the other
great names on the bill prove that all
the male parts will be executed in a
style satisfactory to the most censor.
ious of critics.
Madame Calve is a renewed treat, COM
ing after an absence of several years and
winning new laurels by her Independent,
original but highly artistic rendition OF
her famous repertoires. Nordlca, Sem
bach, Eames and the many other brill
liant stars in the galaxy of women sng
ers were with us last year ana are
welcomed as old friends returned after
a short absence. When the Nibelung
ers Ring, the cycle consisting of the
Rhine Gold, Walkuerie, Siegfried and
Gotterdammerung, are presented, lille
Lehman will be greatly missed, for
it is needless to say she is without a
peer as Wagnerian singer.
Last night at the second performance
of Faust, the first in which Calve APP
peared as Marguerite, and Sa!cza az
Faust, there was pra!ty bit Of side
play, showing the appreciation Of the
audience and generous temper Of the
chief actors. Saleza had been i'll and
was quite hoarse, rendering il impossible
for him to do justice to himself in bis
trying role; but still his performance was
highly pleasing and the audience vas de-
termined he should understand they fully
appreciated mis- efforts, not holding him
responsible for the defe:'s caused b.
his cold.
The end of the famous garden scene
was greeted with a burst Of applause
and when the curtain rose Saleza, refus-
ing to accept his portion of the mead of
praise, was nowhere to be seen. Calve|
Planeon played game of hide ana se@k
as it were, looking for him in all the
wings, but failing to find him, or induce
him to appear, finally came forward
with apparent reluctance to acknowledge
the compliments of the audience with
out him. Three times the curtain rose
twice they came before the curtain, bE
the clapping continued until at last
SaleZa appeared and the three were greet
ed with cheers. Calve and Plancon
generously rendered the lions share to
Saleza forcing him ito remain longest
before the foot-lightS, showing they APP
preciated and understood the desire "
the audience.
Calves rendition of Marguerite is dis
tinctly her own and most pleasing enc
it is. She seems the Marguerite Of both
Goethe's and Gounod's ideal, save for
Il little more avoirdupOis than we are ac-
customed to associate with the gentle
heroine. Her acting was superb. Plan
con as Mephist0pheles left nothing to
he desired. either in the rich full notes Of
his beautiful voice or in the personation
of the fend incarnate Rumor has it that
next year Mr.. Grau proposes to present
Grand Opera in English "a consumma>
ton devoutly to be wished
The lovers of light opera are looking
forward with delight to the temperatures
next week of Edna May in The Belle
Of New York in which she has had
such remarkable and continued success
in London.
Paderewski has given his full share
Of pleasure by his brilliant p;ano recitalS
the last of which will be given at Sher
rvs next Tuesday.
OF later histrionic successes, some
old friends, some new ventures and of
the beautiful art displays, to which we
have been treated. / must tell in anoth- |
or letter, as | fear / have already tax
ed your patience too greatly.
y. WARDER.