The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-30

VERDI ~ THE AFTERNOON AND
BIZET AT NIGHT.
Nine. Sembrich ~ the Meiodious Heroine
Of the Lyric Version Of Camille
MIMI. seygArd and Alvarez In the
Operaic Cigarette Makers Romance.

NINE. Sembrtch ~ the MelOdiOus Heroine
Of the Lyric Version Of camille
MIME. seygard and Alvarez In the
Operaio Cigarette Makers Romance
The first Saturday of the season Of oper-
atic joy at the Metropolitan Opera House
was reached yesterday. Consequently
there was a high-priced matinee in the
afternoon and the customary Saturday
evening performance at marked-doW n
prices. In Justice to Mr.. Grau it ought To
be said right here az the beginning of the
season that these Saturday might offerings
are In no sense damaged goods. Usually
he reduces the expense of the entertainment
by some small discrimination betweenthe
cast OF regular SUBSCRIPTION night and
that OF Saturday evening, but he gives
good combinations OF artist and there il
always At least one of the most important
stars on exhibition. and often more than
one. The entertainments are well worthy
Of patronage
Yesterday afternoon Verdi's La Ira
viata' was sung to an audience Of fairly
good size. The house uight TO have been
damned, but the Christmas drain on the
pockets Of people is beginnir g TO make its
influence felt In the opera house. II is felt
very little. to be sure, but if Yesterdays cast
appears in February the auditorium will
be packed. Yesterday it was just com
fortably filled
Opportunities to hear such singing as
that OF Nine Sembrich in the role of Vio-
Ietto should not be thrown away. The
music Of this part is in a school Of which
she lie past mistress. No other singer
now before the public Of the world can
combine such brilliancy Of technic with
such depth of feeling. II il possible that
her 'Sempre liberia has sometimes been
sung with more abandon than it was yes
terday, for Mr.. Manoineli was not espe-
cially rigorous in timing his beat to the
singers voice. However. the mere beauty
Of the voice and the perfection of the deliv-
high vocal art -Ah. fors ui' and the
pathetic music OF the last act We're sung
by the soprano with consummate beauty.
Mr. de march, deserves CONNER dation
for manly performance of thankless part.
Alfredo barely escapes being figure of
fun in the best hands. and Mr.. de march,
almost succeeded in making him sympa
thetic. He sang the music excelently
Mr.. Scotti was an admirable 0ermont
He was in the finest Of voice and he sang
with artistic finish. CuriouSly enough. the
audience did not show any enthusiasm over
his fine delivery of "Di provenza:" but II
was a dismally cold audience all the time
and furthermore seemed TO be unacquainted
with the opera.
Again attention must be called TO the
av akened conscience Of the stage manage
ment The first scene in view Of what
has been the familiar spectacle Of past
seasons, was a revelation. There we're
really tables for Iioietd's guests, and,
furthermore, they had eating utensils
upon them. There we're flowers. vases.
candQlahra and nfbar thipus tastpfiillv
disposed 30 as to give the scene the proper
air OF feetivity. Similar thoughtfulness
WAS observable in other parts of the opera.
IL this sort Of thing goes on. some chronic
grumblers will have to stay away from the
opera house for the want Of material.
The performance of Carmen" last night
was spirited and generally commendable.
Nine. Camille Sevgard was wholly accept
able in the title role Her impersonation
added no subtle originality TO the plain indi-
1t was just such a Carmen a. any lady
with a good knowledge of stage business
and wise discretion in avoiding psyche
logic details would be likely to present
But it was Electrically picturesque, and it
was admirably sing. II was full of vocal
color and Of significant nuances. On the
whole. Nine. Seygard. who has sung the
part here before, was worthy of praise.
She has charming voice. and might be
heard often.
Mr., Alvarez is a virile and passionate
Don Jose OF course he sings out of tune
in some Of the contabile parts Of the first
two acts, but he was magnetic and eloquent
In the other two acts. Mr.. Gourmet was a
tolerably good Escdmiilo He did about
as much with the part a. is generally done.
1t Is fatal role: few succeed with it, Miss
Schef was a dimr utive. pert knowing and
pale-voiced Micdsid The minor parts
were in safe hands. and Mr.. Flon conducts
ed with a sincere respect for the traditions.
The audience was numerous and demon
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