Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-02
Musical

had the pleasure OF spending a most
agreeable evening last week with Mr.. Kron-
berg Of Mittelstadt Brothers & Kronberg,
managers of the Mascagni tour.
Having known Mr.. Kronberg well for
years, I can vouch for the fact hat when
he tells me that he considers Iris" tho
greatest OF the modern operas, and Mas
cagnI one of the very greatest conductors
he speaks from the personal, not the man
egerial standpoint.
Apart from the greatness already con-
ceded TO Mascagni years ago, there is al
ways great interest in seeing a master con-
duct his own works. Mascagni is a man
who works with his mind, his heart, his
soul, but not with his body. His conducting
is psychlcal, not physical.
The treatment accorded him by part Of
the New York press, was in my humble
opinion, simply brutal.
The American spirit Of fair play was not
| for a moment In evidence. The musicians
we're tired from long travelling, lodging
quest, strange city, etc, and the many
| necessary slips and accidents, incidental
to a FIRST performance.
The way the American people have sup
ported for years the opera OF Cavaliers
Rusticana'' is surely a sign of the inherent
greatness Of both opera and composer. The
American press poured forth columns of
stun about the opening night Of Iris" in
Sar-off Italy, and yet when Mascagni comes
here, he is searched for faults rather than
virtues. His orchestra is pulled to pieces
and torn to shreds ut the very hrst per-
Torrance, and Little Italy" Is sneered at.
II was mad taste, surely.
The Italians gave Maseagni a reception.
Did the musicians honor him equally
Kubehk comes here and IL w~orshlpped. But
what Of Maseagni-a great creator, a Won
derful conductor, a mar whose music has
thrilled the musical world, one Of Arts
most favored and choicest sons? Musi-
clans all over the country should haston TO
place their laurels at his feet, but instead
read criticisms and attacks from the mu-
steal critics OF the daily press-which is
still worse.
Now, II these critics were consistent,
'twere we'll! But many Of them will cover
other things far inferior, with a mantle
OF charity. when there is no reasonable OK
euse for such mantle.
1t is refreshing, however, to read this
from the Musical Courier Of recent date.
After a long and exhausted (but by no
means exhausting) article speaking OF the
music OF Iris" the critic gives us this:
I'VE have the temperament, we have the
spirit. We have the talent for 'theater'
writing; in short. we feel the sincere pulse
OF a rational M~ascagni In eysry measure.
Iris is a work Of genius. it is DOT a huge
! music drama or exhausting tone poem, but
Is music nevertheless. and that OF a grati-
fyingly refreshing nature!
"Ths parts were all admirably taken and
Maseagni's conducting was eleciritying. 1t
Is to be hoped that 'Ratelin' viii be given
upon Mascagni's return, but anyway, bored
New York can be grateful to this young
maestro for giving US something new. in
teresting and OF general musical interest,
He has been a balm for past operate Ills
thrust into our ears, and we bid them God
speed through ouri country. Bravassimo,
Maestro Maseagnil"
Can Omaha and neIghboring towns sup
port for a matinee and evening the Mas