New-York tribune., 1902-01-04
MUSIC.
"TOsCA" AT THE OPERA.

The most striking Of Mr.. Grau's new productions
last year. so far as the performance went at least,
was Puccinis 'Tosca-' which first heard
February and had three performances in all.
Cnlovely the subject is and erratic in its must
cal investture there yet seemed 70 be something
in II peculiarly sympathetic to the singers, and
Frdulen Ternina, Signor Scott. Signor Cremonint
and NJ. Gilbert exhibited sides Of their artistic
characters in II which few suspected them OF pos
sessng. Last night Mr.. Grau revived the opera
with all the parts distributed they were last
year, with the exception Of that OF Cavaradossi'
which was in the hands Of Signor De MaCChL All
the admirable features OF last year performances
were revived with the work, the newness and
energy OF the score also warming NJ Flon. the con-
ductor out OF his usual complaisance and persuad-
ing him TO a fine illustration OF a conductors art
and mission. Sgnor de MsTchi was stranger to
the vast majority OF people who heard him. though
there were doubtless a small number OF adherents
OF the old regime who bore him in renemorance
FOR his single appearance with Colonel Mapleson :
forces at the Academy Of Music in the fall of 1886
These were justified IN welcoming him joytully
and were probably not responsible for the excessive
zeal OF the score more OF noisy persons VINO
stood in the places OF our unorganized cladue
and who not knowing that Signor Puccinis tunes
ara not measured OF in old fashioned lengths TOOK
advantage ot the tenors first soaring cadence TO
bring the performance 70 A full stop leaving con-
ductor band musicians and tenor groplnS ABOUT
FOR a new starting place II was very pad N
! stance OF misplaced zeal, and did no service u
slruor de march,. who would have won larger
and more fragrant guerdon OF admiration from the
many had the clamorous few checked their noisy
d.gposition The tenor belongs 10 the class Tor
whom Young Italy delights 10 write; singers who
believe that every moment OF their stage lives
ought 70 be lived strenuously. that the proper IN
struulent for destroying a gnat Is steam Trip
hammer all singing Is good so II be loud and al
portrayal Of passion effective so II be vociferous
Yer there was much that admirable IN his
work and by his acting he ufted the performance
n q greater level than the proud one on which Il
moved last season.
As for Miss Ternina. praise OF her acting and
singing IN the titular role has always been pitched
in so enthusiastic a key that 70 continue IN the
strain would threaten an anti-clrnax. Her Iosca
Is finished in conception, and there can be no end
oF wonderent at the blending Of instinct training
and emotionallty which enables her 10 sing with
as much abandon as II she were speaking the lines
and more expressive potency. And this Is Work
which knows but little Of melody in the old con-
ceutioa but in which song is mostly excited speech
tossed about on a restless sea of instrumental
music After the murder scene Miss TeTnina was
made 70 understand how much her ability as an
actress as we'll as her skill a singer. Is ad-
r7ired And similar honors. richly deserved, also
fell TO Slgnor Scott. The stage furnishings were
beautiful and fitting. and a numerous audlehce
appreciated spirited performance