The sun., 1903-11-24
rHE OPERA SEASON OPENS.
vERDrs "RIGOLETTO" THE FIRST
OFFERING.
Nine. sembrjch Reappears as G''da ana
Mr.. scott as the Jestcr-CaruSs' the
New Tenor. Q Success-Rcfsrins In
Scenery and stage Management.


New Tenor, q Success-Rcfsrins In
Scenery and stage management
The regular season Of opera at the Metro
politan Opera House began last nlght,
and with II came the first revelations OF
the artistic management Of Heinrlch ,oh-
dpd These were seen the momen' the
curtain rose, In the admirable new hght
elects which made the color scheme OF
thc Dukes palace appear to be altogstner
novel and charming. Then the chorus,
instead Of lining up In the good old m'ns1rel
show fashion, dispersed in groups more
or less natural and endeavored to behave
like human beings. Throughout the even
inp the DISCLOSURE OF new and well designed
scenery. with excellent light effects. and
the arrangement OF the groups on the
stage sh owed that some one with theatr'ca'
skill and taste had been at work.
Nevertheless. those who went 10 'he
Opera House last night expecting TO zee
all things changed by the magic wand OF
new mana gc,neut with the word "artls1'c
emblaYoned upon II, and who were there-
fore filed with q mortal fear that they hlgh
be confronted by things novel and haro 10
understand, breathed some deep signs OF
relief The transformation or the audi
torium into red and gold was not conf
plete. The old ceiling was still there ana
a f,arinp chandelier essa yed to hide It. Thus
did the auditorium in dumb, yet eloquent
symbols picture the conditions prevailing
on the stage.
Heinrich Conried proved 10 be as truly
q martyr to The star system as WAS ms
amiabe predecessor. Maurice Grau He
had arran ged the weeks repertory strictly
IN accommodation OF the stars, just as MI
Gra,l used to do, and the exigencies OF the
time had forced him to open his new ad-
ministration with one Of the most shopworn
and janging of the old fashioned opera
jinyles, namely, -Rigoletto"
People are bound 10 go TO- the opera on
the first night. They would 60 even for
Rembere's 7Elaine" or the Duke OF SAKE
Coburg's Diana Won Solange.' Hence
as "RiRoletto" had 10 be performed. II was
well to put it forward FOR the first night
And then the blessed old hurdy guroy
affair does not require much rehearsal.
Wake an Italian chorister Np IN the nighs
and ask him to sing the first thing he thinks
Of and the chances are ten 10 one thnt ne u
troll out -Iitti zitti, Inoviano vendetta.
Stop an Italian tenor on the street and
he'll sing, La donna Q mobile.
50 the audience had -, nothing 10 1eat
and exceedingly familiar friend, The next
confederation was, naturally, the singers,
When people who are believed to have
special information about the opera are
met by friends in the summer vacation
the first question asked Of them is a ways:
well, is Jean de Resake coming back next
season? Ia Sembrich coming? Is Scott'
coming'" 30 one ever says Are We
going to have new stars"
Mime Sembrich, MIR. Scott, Nine Homer,
Miss Mathilde Bauermeisler uhe, IN
chanGeablel. Mr.. Jourret, Mr, Fegte, Mr.,
Cerru, go, Mr.. Masiero and Mr.. nufriche
were all on hand. The haud may have been
the hand Of Conried, but :he voices we're
the voices of Grau. There were two new
comers Mr.. Caruso, the tenor, and MIR
must be said. but first, out Of difference 10
public opinion, lot us think OF the singers
we i,svs known before, -.
Nine. Sembrich was the familiar Gilda
OF other seasons. Her art does not weary.
but ripens with the passing years Her
voice Is still possessed of its bloom, and her
which seems to make them float away
into the aeries up under the ceiling. She
seemed last night to Tevel in the enjoyment
Of capable tenor associate, and she never
sang Gildd better.
Mr.. Scoltis Rigotuo is so familiar that
it requires no new praise al this time. SUI
fee it TO say thar except for one or TWO
lapSes from the pitch II was mp 10 lis 'ls!al
standard last night, and lo'd "ncom'Nnls
were bestowed upon IL bv III" a,niable critics
behind the orchestra rail Nine Homer was
acceptable A. usual AS Mddd1!ena. Nine.
Helen Ma pleson appeared in the small role Of
the Count So. She was in good coun'enance
and gave liberal display Of her untailng
smile
Mr.. Carnso, the new tenor, made a thor
oughly favorable impression, and will prob
ably grow into the firm favor OF this public.
He has a pure tenor voice of fine quality
and sufficient range and power. II is
smooth and mellow voice aud Is without
natural and free delivery and his voice
carries well without forcing. He phTnsed
his music tastefully and showed consider
able refinement Of style.
His clear and pealing high tones set the
braves wild with delight, but conuoisseuIs
of singing saw more promise for the season
in his mezzd I ce and his manliness. He
isa good looking man and acts with dlgnity,
If with no great distinction, But the puNe
gives little opportunity FOR the exhibition
Of hislrionic powers.
The chorus was satisfactory, but the
opera makes no serious demands upon 1t.
The same thing may be said III regard TO
the orchestra. The musicians will have
their first test tomorrow night. MIR. Nlgna
conducted -Rigoletto" we'll. The most
pleasing of he new features Of las night +
performance were those which were men
toned at the beginning OF this comment
The new mechanical appliances gave good
results. and the directors will certainly
and anew lighting plant will be profitable.
There was a brand new thunderstorm in
the last act. 1t had a strong voice and
much vivRCity.