New-York tribune., 1901-05-30
PADEREWSKI.S OPERA.
"MANRC" GIVEN AT DRESDEN-AN
ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE
THE PLOT.
Copyright: 1901 BY The New York Tr:bune)
LEY cARLE TO TIE TRIRrNE.l

IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.1
London. May 80. g a m.-Mr Paderewski's
three-act opera "Manru' produced at the
Dresden Theatre last night, and achieved
notable success. The music becomes more en-
trancng with every act
After the first act Mr. Paderewski was called
before the curtain eight times. after the second
act ten times. and after the third act thirty
times
The role Of Manru was taken by Herr Teses,
that Of Oros by Herr scheidemantel. that OF
U-lana by Fraulein Krul and that OF Asa by
Frau Krammer.
Noticeable in to-night's performance were
brilliant ballet in the hrst act and a dramatic
love duet in the second.
The audience included Paderewski the prin
cpal German opera managers. representative
musical critics. Professor Angelo Neumann, Of
Prague; Professor Krehs. Of Berlin. and Profess
sor Krause. Of Leipsic; Princess Friedrich Au-
gusta Of Saxony. and several Americans. among
them the United States Consul-General. Mr..
Cole and his family and Oswald G. Willard. OF
New-York.
Mr.. Paderewski said after the performance
that he highly gratifed with the operas
success. praising both the singers and the or
chestra.
The performance Of Nj Paderewski's opera was
the outcome or more tnan three years labor. The
opera finished long ago and it's performance
has been long expected. but the composers duties
vtrtuoso and his critical disposition touching all
the details have caused repeated postponements.
The writer Of the book is DR.. Alfred Nossig a
compatriot and friend OF Mr. Paderewski. who is
at poet. critic and sculptor. The story. which
is tragic in its and romantic in subject
and treatment illustrates the rrepressible desire
Of the gypsy wander, which Mr.. Leland has
sought eloquently to explain and Justify The hero.
Manru has won the love OF Polish maiden. Ulana.
and carried her off, Romany fashion. She returns
to her native village in the Tatra Mountains 10
seek her mothers forgiveness. but receives
instead The villagers. who gathered for a
festival (an incident which gives color
10 the first act. taunt her with song that tells
Of the INCONSISTENCY OF all gypsies under the nfiu-
ence of the fun moon. Having observed signs OF
uneasiness IN her husband, she seeks the help OF
a dwarf who has the reputation OF a wizard and
who loves her. From him obtains a magic
drink and by its aid wins Manru back her side
for time. Alone among the mountains however.
the baleful influence of the moon, the charm OF
gypsy music and the seductive fascinatons of a
gypsy maiden break down his better resolves. and
he rejoi~ lis ack-blooded fellows Oros. the
gypsy chief himself in love with the maiden. Asa,
opposes his rehabilitation in the band. but is
ruled and Manru is chosen in his place. He takes
his revenge by hurting his successful rival down
precipice moment after the dstraught Ulana has
drowned herself in mountain lake. The Hbretto
is distinctly old fashioned but Mr.. Paderewskis
music is a mixture of old style lyrcism and
style dramatic defamation. The musical argument
is carried on chiefly in the orchestra by means OF
reteration and development Of phrases based upon
the principal dramatic elements of the play. Much
of the music IS strongly national in color and ef-
fective use is made of characteristic gypsy inter
walls the solo violin and the assertive instru-
ment in the gypsy band-the cymbalon or dulcimer.