The Washington times., 1903-05-02
De RESzEA AND DUSS
ARE A DISAPPOINTM EhT
Heard at Chase's in Concert of
Decided Mediocrity.

The orchestra of the Metropolitan
Opera House. New York city, and NJ.
Edouard De Reszke appeared at Chase's
Theater yesterday afternoon and pre-
sented program theoretically reflective
of the attachments and purposes of the
Metropolitan Grand Opera Company. The
| event was notable from many points Of
view. but distinct disappointment
unsteady. This did not prevent a rep
resentative Washington assembly, how.
ever. from making every manifestation
of musical unintelligence
The tour of this orchestra has been
much heraided. It has been announced
with exuberance that it is the most care
fully trained and most efficient body in
the United States. with a few excep-
lions, hardly worthy of note 1t has
been generously explained that its con-
ductor, J. s. Duss, is financially inde-
pendent OF his position. Finally. in
| treating of the appearances of Nine.
Lillian Nordica-who has alternated
with NJ. De Reszke as soIoist-musical
art has descended to the exploitation Of
this great singers concert gowns. These
forewarning. but they were not On the
contrary, an audience. notable for size
and distinguished in composition, gath
cred to hear the numbers of this con-
cert and departed at its close apparently
much pleased
The program was popular" in an IN
fortunate sense. 1t began with the over
ture from William Tell ended with
Meyerbeer's "Fackeltanz' in B Cat, and
included otherwise for the orchestra,
two movements from Tschaikowsk-,s
Symphonic Pathetique, dance suite
by German. two numbers from .'Lohen-
grim" and Gounod's Hymn to ST. Ce-
ella"
1t is manifest that these selections
hardly comported with the orchestra.
But all this might have been condoned
If the execution of the 'Lohengrin'
numbers and the Symphonic Pathc-
tique' had been in any sense worthy
Instead, the selections were ree1ed off
by the yard. Unity. precision, conf
denee. and expedition were provided in
abundance, but there were no signs OF
real musical spirit. The expression con-
sisted of alienation between musical
whispers and musical shouts. In short,
Mr.. Duss and his men performed like a
highly charged orchestriou.
Unhappy as this exhibition was. how
ever. the orchestra was good company
for NJ. De Reszke. Halt a dozen better
bassos can be heard in New York city
at any time in the winter season. Wash
ington has recently heard two. His
voice was hard, his expression forced,
and his breathing singularly unpleasant
and inartistic. Under these circuu1-
stances it is not surprising that he gave
as an encore to the well-known Isl la
Rigeur" aria from La Juive," The
Palms." by Faure. After that 1t only
remained for him 10 sing The Suwanee
River NJ De Reszke was once no doubt,
the foremost basso in ali the world.
but from yesterdays concert he is mani
testify in the twilight OF his career.
With an automatic performance by the
orchestra and labored singing by TIE
soloist. it would seem that enough was
done to make this concert mediocre.
There was, however. still another ele-
ment of discord. The conductor bore
himself like cockatoo.
This spectacle was almost melancholy
in the light of the prices charged for the
recent concerts of the Washington SYM
phony Orchestra. Those who patronizei
Mr. Duss and N. De Reszke paid about
twice the price of seats for the local
symphony concerts. Yet they heard
neither compositions nor performances
half so worthy. of their attention and
support. Perhaps it would be well for
Mr.. De Koven. Mr. Droop. and their men
to move away. A. D. A.