New-York tribune., 1901-12-28
MUSIC.
AT THE OPERA-MME. SEMBRICH'S RE-
TURN


1t was scarcely expected in any quarter that the
opera would be permitted to pursue the even tenor
OF It's way without small catastrophe for an
entire week. considering the difficulty under which
II began 1t was aborious task TO lay out the
plan Tor the hrst hve representations and when 1t
was done it was felt that its successful execution
hung on very slender threads As a rule the ele-
ment OF doubt is provided by the vocal chords of
the prima donna; last night. however there was
change compelled by generally sound and
robust throat as Signor Campanari's. The prina
donna or the evening being Nine Sembrich who
is well provided in the matter of renertorv sim
pie substitution of opera for another Don
Fasquale for III Barhere di Sivigia' suficed.
ana there has never been change which caused
so little dsappoin ntment. In point of fact the ex-
pressions of satisfaction were quite as numerous
as those OF disappointment Rossinis famous fac
toluih mas always been with us, but Donizettrs
Iasquale' While ne lives in fragrant memory for
the generation which is bridging over the operatic
yesterday and to-day, is ali but a stranger to the
younger generation which has grown up under the
mlnistrations of the Metropolitan management.
twenty years had elapsed since the opera was last
heard in New-York. when Nine. sembrich brought
1t back with all Its odtme sparkle and the luscious
freshness which her voice and art imnart 70 everv-
thing which she does. two years ago. In revising
ihe oiu WORK II was felt then that the wnsome
iady was performing amiabIe deed and there
were signs OF the same emotion last night
Norinas are not budding in the conservator,es To-
uaS' ana so fascinating representative as Nine
Sembrich must be enjoyed while she lasts
II was only for an hour that the spirit of Yule-
tce festivty seemed not to have iniuriousv ar-
fected the opening of the opera last Monday
During That hour the house was full, the picture
brilliant, and the fervor of the performance
seemed 10 nave reached all the auditors. But the
thlrd act saw yawning spaces of emptiness where
there had been life and beauty before and it was
again made clear that not even the fashionable
function or the opera can put aside those more in
innate and amiable demands of the social and do
mestic circle which assert themselves in the tes-
tlval season more emphatically than at any other
Those who were left recall Mesdames Ternina
and Schumann-Heink and Messrs Van Dyck De
Reszke and Bispham before the curtain again and
again few minutes before mi dnight and to thank
them with gladness, were the old contingent OF
wagner lovers who had helped to make the au-
olence imposing IN numbers. To them there
hothhg new IN the representation except the
stage furnishings of the first act They came for
the sake or Wagners drama; and Wednesday
they remained at home. The pretty warblings of
the lovers of Verona have lost their charm for
such as are accustomed to battle their souls in the
surg1ng tide of passionate utter which pours
from the hearts and lips of the tabled Celtic
lovers Hence only a feeble tribute was paid to
Gounods Romeo ct Juliette," which might have
opened Mr. Graus ninth season had there been
certainty of Romeo's timely coming
OF novelty in the performance there was no more
than in the performance of Tristan und Isolde"
One Of Mr. Grau's newcomers was announced in
the list of singers on. Declery Mercutio) but in
his place appeared NJ. Dufriche, moved up two
lines on the house BILL while Sgnor Viviani filed
the vacancy thus created. But there was much
pleasure in welcoming Mime. Eames (Which was 70
have been expected and large degree of satsfac-
ton (Which could not have been anticipated) in
welcoming NJ Alvarez When this gentleman
with us for brief space two years ago. he
ated more longings than he exemplifed fulilments.
In him recognized artist Of a heroic mould,
virile in appearance in voice, in action whose
capabilities were cramped when tight-laced in the
SDo Dish tsoofs Of rnIaa a1
Wednesday in the part in which he had first made
himself known. but refined in manner. more
tuneful in voice, with of the charming grace
which belongs to the part OF Gounods lover, albeit
not always in the ecstatic mood that the mystical
melodist knew well how TO create for his sing
And his coming is therefore, a gladness and
regret. His appearances will not be looked
forward to. as they were, with apprehension.
AS for Nine. Eames. she was altogether lovely IN
person and IN her artistic manifestations.
Last nights audience more numerous and
more gladsome in spirit than that Of Wednesday,
The merry music had much to do with the prevail
ing feeling, but the wtchery OF Nine. Sembrich
more. Her entrance was the signal for greeting
general, obviously sincere. eloquent In its
expression Of mingled admiration and affection
that it disconnected her trihe at the outset. But
her voice warmed under the stimulus OF her
task, and scintillant and delicious
Signor Scott the Malatesta OF the occasion)
admirable in voice and manner. was also made to
feel that he lives snugly in the good opinion Of
NETWORKS operagoers A buffo, Signor Ia
vecchia, introduced himself in the titular role-a
somewhat cumbersome and prodgious Italian bufro,
separable from such roles.
There Will be another performance OF Romeo ct
Juliette" this afternoon, at which Miss Sybil San
derson is TO sing. and the first performance at
popular prices in the evening will be devoted to
Faust"