The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-18
MOZART WELL PRESENTED.
"LE NOZZE M FIGARO" At THE
METROPOLITAN.
4 Performance CombiilnE Excellent Sing.
inG With Capital Acting MIR. Scotti
rs AlmsNiNa for the First Time
Hcre-Mmex. Sembrlch and Eamrs,

Hcre-Mmes. Sembrlch and flames.
Mozart had his first hearing this season
al the Metropolitan Opera House last night
The opera was lie Nozze di Figaro" which
was written great many years before
Rossini's Barber of Seville" vet which
tells of what took place subsequent to the
events of that opera. In Mozart's work
we find Almdrird and Rosina married,
but not settled. The demon doubt has
entered their happy home and changed
their dispositions, their demeanor and
their singing Almdrird is no longer gay
and dashing in manner, but his habits have
become censurabe. He has lost his high
notes and become bass. He is a serious
| and sonorous person
Rosind il n Countess. She is sad and
sober. She no longer capers either physi-
cally or vocallv. She has lost her colorature
and put on long gowns. Then there is
Bdsitio, who was once pouderous and bass
He is now little and tenor, the only tenor
in the opera Think Of il A tenor who
does not make love and who sings no senti-
mental ditties
But fortunately for purposes Of identifi-
cation Rortoio, Mdrceliind and the obliging
we know that we are among the same old
friends. that we are moving in the same
circle Of society. Who was il that said
old friends are best? This must be taken
with grain Of salt The new friends in
lie Nozze di Figaro" are delightful VIVA,
more captivating charmer il there in all
opera than the bewitchng Susanna And
what more ingratiating young scapegrace
than Cherub,no' Even Antonio, the gard
ener. is lovable inebriatc
As for Nozart's music, that not only
endures the test of time, but grows more
beautiful with the flight Of years Through
the storm and mist of modern raging music
these pure and silvery airs shine refulgent
like the moon in night Of clearing after
tempest. But il IL not for every one TO
appreciate this music. II is simple
so restfu, 30 chaste in style. II may be
cakes II may even be ale; but II is not gin
ger -hot i the mouth" II takes a long
time for those reared on Wagner to find
the secret of this Grecian art
Yet II should not be difficult when
such performance a. That Of last night
i given. The key was sounded in Mr.
ManCinel's dainty reading of the jssa-
mer overture The singers were a trihe
slow in finding the accord They were
trifle heavy in the first scene but in the
second they had found the tonality and the
consonant vibrations soon filed the audi
forum. Thenccforward all went merry
| as a marriage bell A better performance
Of lie NozZe di Figaro" has never graced
the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House
The music was generally well sung and
the spirit of the scntillant, improper
comedy was published with pretty and
suggestive art. Did every one in the
a
ward on the stage? Perhaps not; but
that was not wholly objec. ionable, for the
story is quite unfit for publication. Maybe
II every one knew this. the opera would
attract larger audiences than that Of last
night.
Little need be said about the imper-
sonations Of III" various artists. Nine
Sembrich's Susanna j. n familiar and Justly
admired Interpretation. She sings the
music incomparably and acts with the
true comedy touch. Nine. Eam.~, il a
most beautiful PosiHd and her beautiful
delivery Of her music commands hearty
praise, Nine. Fritz Schef's per. manner
fits perfectly into the role Of therubino. and
though she has not the perfect legato style
required by the melodies, she sings them
with popular approval.
Mr.. Campanar Is n capital Figaro, and his
singing of such airs a. Sc vuol ballare" and
Non pin andrai' l. delightful. Mr.. Scott
last night appeared al AiIndrird for the first
time here. His lightness and grace of style
aided materially in iinparting brightness
and buoyancy to the performance. Mr.
Gilbert was simply delicious AZ Bdrtoio, and
Albert ReisS made a fine character picture
OF the oily Bdsiiio.
The scenery was nearly all good and some
of 1t was new and fresh. The details Of the
stage Management received careful atten-
ton, and, in short, nothing was neglected
that could contribute to the general ex-
collence Of tn" presentation. Tomorrow
night "Tannl A ser" will be given instead
of Tristan q Isolde" AZ originally an
nounced.