New-York tribune., 1901-02-03

tie Metropolitan Opera House. la Luna
mobile" as rendered by Nilsson and Treheli in the
penultimate act OF Boitos "Mehstofele.'
ei1 - e-,-s no Is" h - ,l,iI HiIle
Calvt Miss Macintyre and their associates never
made in The Philadelphia Ledger a week or Two
NewYork, Jan. 2S 1901
Irrue. Maurel did repea, "Quand ero paggio" at
every performance of "Falstaf" again and again.
but I'm doing so he violated the plainly indicated
wishes OF the composer and interrupted and dis
located the action of the play. II is set song
but part Of the dialogue which were the wishes OF
the composer respected would go right on with not
a seconds interruption. We cannot fault Verdi
for the bad taste Of Mr. Maurel and goes hard
fault Mr.. Maurel considering that the sparkling
passage always brings down the house" and
stops the play--Edl
which have appeared in one form or another az in
tervais in this department Of The Tribune within
the last ten years but they are worth reteiling
friend visiting Won Bgl9T IVES :, me- .5cs With
6urst OF 1t M am inst vrirfng
10 Mascagni'' said Won BuloH. and showed HIS
crossed in the mastery score ~ Verdis 'Fastan,'
] am happy 10 be able 10 inform you you that @ you you
who will outlive you
On Verdi's eightieth birthday Signor Crispi sent
him a telegram as follows: Francesca Crtspi re-
joices with Giuseppi Verdi and hopes that, for the
greater glory Of Italian art he may attain at
least the age Of the Maestro Galmani." Verdi re-
Piled: 1T gives great satisfaction 10 receive
the good wishes Of Francesca Crispi. I declare
that ! shall do all in my power to reach the age
which he wishes me to reach" Galmani was an
obscure italian musician who lived 10 be l35 years
old.
Four years ago Verdi was somewhat disturbed
by reports which had been sent broadcast about
his health; thereupon he said 20 friend: Contra
disc. disc 'ne reports 'n1' AZ" '"'u'''''e '' ''
The attitude OF Verdi toward the young Italian
school OF composers has invited speculation. Moth
ing Is palmer than that the pupils OF Ponchielli
have borrowed more from the Nestor OF Italian
composers than from their master. This form or
hattery however. did seem to affect Verdi. and
ne did not vouchsafe his benediction 20 single one
of the young men. This does not necessarily argue
antagonsm, however for Verdi had as great and
invincible a repuEnance TO pronouncing on the
merits OF the compositions OF other musicians as
Brahms had. Before Mr.. Van der Stucken came
10 New-York he travelled about in Germany and
gave a number OF concerts Of his own music,
warmly encouraged by Liszt and Grieg. he also
visited Verdi with his portfolio under his arm,
and tried TO get the grfzzed maestro TO speak
word OF criticism. Verdi received him with great
civility cross-questioned him about music in Ger
many but gave him never a chance TO produce his
precious manuscripts. among which. by the way.
was the original version OF the symphonic prologue
10 Heines 'Ratcf" which Mr. Van der StuclIen
conducted last night in Boston IF your music IS
good you know It, said he, gently but firmly. and
my opinion will not affect ii way or the other
When Leoncavallo in Vienna four years ago
to negotiate for the production Of his "Boheme
the Court Opera, he was asked about Nerdfs
relations with the representatives Of young Italy
His answer was entertaining: "Oh. yes Verdi sees
US but-a little weakness-he does not want 10
recognize US though we are all wooing him for
word Of praise. Not long ago Mascagni planted
himself on the steps OF the Hotel Milan, in Milan.
with the resolve introduce himself 10 the world
famous man. He addressed him timidly: My name
is Mascagni: my Radcliffe" is 10 be given for the
first time to-day. 1 should be happy. master. II
you were 10 attend the performance And Verdi
had only the ungracious reply: No. can't do
that; If did. somebody would ask me for my
opinion tomorrow, and I should not know what
say Nevertheless. he attended the performance
IN the background OF box. as invisible as
God behind the clouds. He has never deigned
10 speak word TO me-his publisher is Ri
cordi. mine Sonzogno. For the opening Of
an exhibition in Milan had composed a SYM
phony for chorus and orchestra in three parts-
. rehearsal with several hundred singers and in
strumentslist, when IL was reported 70 me that
Verdi had asked permission 20 attend If Verdi
wants 20 come In, open all doors 20 him at once
was my answer. We offered him a chair IN the
front row. but he declined :; and stood behind a
pillar. standing did rot weary him; once when
his companion suggested a rest after a long ara
wearisome promenade. the octogenarfan said
ansTiy; What is IL you forever afterP II isn't
so lad as that Am dead? Do you want 10 hurry
me already Well. the rehearsal came to an svs
and my musicians waited expectantIy for the ola
man 10 come out from behind the pillar in or5ar
| 20 give him an ovation He came down the aisle
close 10 the orchestra, and one Of nv friends who
war acquainted with him said: Attentioni Now