The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-10
"DON GIOVANNI" AT THE OPERA
MOZART'S WORK SUNG IN THE
TIME-hONORED WAY.
Mines. Nerdica. Gsdski and FIRTH scheH
Combined with Mcssrs. Scott. Edouard
de Reszke and Gilbert In the First
Performance OF the Opera This Year.


Combined with Mcssrs. Scott. Edouard
de Resxke and Gilbert In the First
Performance OF the Opera This Year.
The sixteenth week Of the season began
at the Metropolitan Opera House last night
with the first performance of Mozarts
Don Giovanni The cast was not quite
"all STAR because Nine. Sembrich did not
appear in her unsurpassed impersonation
Of Zeriind, the peasant maiden who had an
eye to social position and nearly became
the victim Of a lordly villain. The role
was intrusted last night to the busy hands.
twinkling feet and undulating voice OF
Frau FRITZ Scheff. This cheerful and
industrious soubrette always feels quite
at home with Mozart, but there is room
for question as to whether Mozart does not
spend a rather trying evening with her.
To her credit, be II recorded, she enacted
the unsophisticated Zeriind with under
standing. with vivacious gesticulation and
numerous changes Of pose. As for Mozarts
music, II is most unkind to people who
have not a pure and fluent legato.
However, Zeriina is not the entire cast
Of Don Giovanni" The principal woman's
part is that Of Donna Anna. and this was
assumed last night by that sturdy veteran
Of the dramatic tribe, Nine. Nordica. She
can always be trusted to treat such part
with sincerity and generally with the best
of judgment. Her tones have been clearer
on other occasions than they were last
night and some OF her attacks were accom-
panied by a slight touch OF what the French
cruelty call "quack.' But what Of II?
These facts are writ down because they
are facts and therefore go to swell the
records Of somewhat dull and fruitless
season. But a singer Ia just human being
and the March climate OF New York 9 unfit
for any one who can escape 1t. II the
conjunction Of soft airs. fogs,
winds, rains and chills Of the last four days
voice. then nothing short OF the gruesome
odors of the Internal pit would
Nine. Gadsld was the Donna Eirird.
Now this is another sincere and pains
taking artist. But she has had to work too
hard this season. She has not been able
to keep her big, sonorous voice in that con-
dition Of peachy, velvety smoothness neces-
sary to a satisfactory delivery OF Mozart's
music. Her Donna Elrira was a labored
and well-meant performance. but 1t fell
short OF the level at which the singer aimed.
Mr.. Scott is a fascinating rascal as Don
and it is a safe bet that every
woman In the house is sorry when his evil
doinRs move a statue. How much more
was Byron's story than Da
Ponte's2 In this the most delightful black
guard that ever lodged rapiers lives TO
be frozen TO death by the Icy grip Of the
spook Of one Of his own victims. In that
the hero il left In a situation of moonlit |
I'D W "a IF
her frolio grace, Fitz-Fulke, and as to |
what happens afterward one can only |
guess. You can dream out the finish Of |
Byron's Don Juan to please your own ,
Imagination. You can see the finish OF !
Da Ponies, and somehow II Is discourage |
ing to see any ones finish.
Next in this gallery Of portraits Of famous
living singers comes Edouard de Reszke, !
Polish basso, who appeared last night In |
mis- Incompatible impersonation OF Lepo-
would that this ponderous basso. 'teres
ltoue rotundus,' might carol himself down |
he rest Of the steep declivity Of his time
u kporeuo. cunningest OF penny trick
tiers, sentlest of towards, robustest OF
,iest when ne sings this part. and his friends
ire happiest. for Richard Is himself
again"
Mr.. Gilbert was Mosetto last night. Now
Masetto In a much abused man and as a
10 a man last night, and extremely well
reated as a part. A burly Mdsetto is a
a fat Masetto il a misfit. But 1t
ioes not make any difference when 1t is
jilibert, for he II always an artist.
There were no novelties in the stage
The ballroom scene was
mounted and performed in tho same old
way. II 10 a very old way. and a. Hector
3erlioz pertinently remarked An old 1
,ustom IL 10 sacred when II is bad one
Mr.. Mancineli conducted the performance.
md the orchestra discharged its duties
nth dignity and decorum. Altogether
/ was an evening TO send adorers OF Mozart |
ZONE In thoughtful mood