New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
PADEREWSKl'S OPERA.
SOME PICTURES. POETRY AND THEMES
~ GYPSY SUBJECT AND GYPSY
MUSIC-THE WORK PUBLISHED
HERE IN ENGLISH

Few occurrences i'm the musical word have
raused as much comment the production of
I'm opera by Mr Paderewski. Exactly why this
should be so does not appear. but there Is no
controverting the fact Mr.. Paderewski is
pervasive and puissant person from whom there
seems to he no escape; therefore his dOings must
7e chronicled His opera which bears the name
of ''ManrT." has been performed repeatedly In
Dresden. :4elnberg and CracOw. and is under
lined for New-York i'm the coming season. and IN
London next. In London ii is TO be given with
the same singers that produced it in Dresden
last May. Among them by the way, was an
American basso. Leon Rains 10y name. What
may happen in the coming season in New-York
AZ would not be wise to attempt to predict, but
one fact in connection with the opera is as
rured which is that il was published yesterday
i'm an English version here and in London. This
publication enables The Tribune 10 tell its read
ers more about the opera than was possible on
The occasion of the first performance in Dres-
den
"Maaru'' is a gypsy opera whether or MOI
its authors intended that ii should teach a les
son OF any kind it would be futile to attempt TO
discover. What is very plain Is that poth IL
brettist and composer worked at their tasks
with the utmost ingenuousness Ihe booK Is as
old fashioned as il Wagner had never lived, and.
tboueh Mr. Paderewski develops his score out
OF themes TO which he undoubtedly attaches
definite meanings. ne Seems to be continually
forgetting himself and writing in the old man
ner of music for musics sake IL is Flrtuoso
musician extended vocal and instrumental
rhapsody fun OF local color and pulsating with
rassion The story illustrates that irrcpressible
desire on the part OF the gypsy TO lead no
madic life which Mr. Leland has characterized
so admirably in his books on the Romanys ana
possibly also. in an allegorical way. the contest
sunnosed TO exist between the artistic and do
mestic temperaments The plot Was outlined In
this journal in the account of the operas first
r4rforn,ance i'm Dresden but may be repeated:
Manru a gypsy has wen the love OF iair
Galician maiden UIana and married her gypsy
fashion After a space she returns To her native
village among the Tatra Mountains 10 seek her
mothers forgiveness and help. She receives IN
stead the contumely Of the villagers ana inoth-
er's curse Her former friends taunt her with
song which tells of the :ncOnstancy Of all gyp-
sizes under the influence OF the full moon. HaV-
ing already observed signs Of uneasiness in her
husband. Ulana seeks the help OF urok. dwarf.
who has the reputation of being sorcerer. and
who loves her From him she obtains magic
draught and by its aid wins Manru back 20 her
side for a time Alone among the mountains.
however the baleful influence of the moon. the
charm OF gypsy music and the fascirations of
gypsy maiden break down his better resolutions
and ne rejons his black blooded companions
Oros the gypsy chief himself In love with the
maiden. Asa opposes Manrus rehabilitation IN
the band but through the influence of Jagu.
~ rsy fiddler is overrued. and Manru is made
chief in GROSS stead. Oros takes his reveng- by
lurling his successful rival down precipice
moment after the distraught Ulana has drowned
hc~solf in a mountain lake.
To PUT the reader of the score in "A mood which
will enable him to sympathize with so naive
story the English adapter has drawn Mr..
Leland who compares the longing of the
Romanys TO ramble about the world To the feel
ing which one may experience in watching the
ships at with curiosity as tn their missions.
or the wild birds winging their way southwark
in winter.
Now. as you wander along. he says. II may be
that in the wood and by some grassy nook you
will hear voices. and the CLEAN Of "A red
garment and then find a of the roads
"Sarishan," and you are introduced These peo-
pie like birds and bees they belong Ia out
Of doors and nature. If you can chirp buzz
a little in their language and know their ways
viii find out, you sit in the forest, why
he who loves green bushes and mossy rocks is
glad Ia ny from cities, and likes to be free OF
ne joyous citizenship of the roads and every
where at home in such boon company.
An estimate of the book and music must in
fairness To the authors. wait upon the per-