New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-25
MUSIC.
Ie8terday'S Operas.

Mr. Conreid again signaIized the last day Of tie
week yesterday by giving first representations fer
this season of two operas-one for the patrons Of
the weekly matinee. the other for the transient
operagoer and lover of the serious side of music
The afternoon opera was IL Elisir d'Amore' with
the same people In the cast (save the representa-
tive Of the inconsequential part OF Gianetta) VINO
revived 1t last January. after slumber OF twenty
years. disturbed only by nightmare two IN the
vernacular The quartet OF singers who made tls
pretty music of Dorizett fall delightfully."- iato Tic
ears OF the houseful of listeners (or rather mcEj o.
II, Ter little music. though much comic utteran g,
came out of the mouth Of the buffo) were Mae.
Semorich, Signor Caruso, Slgnor Scott and SgH0r
Rossi. Why tell how capable these people are?
How Sembrich, with voice and action, wound her
self around the hearts of the people in boxes and
stalls as completely Adna did around the heart
Of NemoTino; how Caruso played the part of the
lovesick village pumpkin throughout two acts.
till the faces of his spectators seemed
petrihed in a smile. and then sang tears
Of sympathy and admiration into their eyes when
it came to Una furtva lagrima'-vhich he had TO
repeat, Of course, how the comical antics of Dr..
DUlcamara widened the smile into a grin and al
most won pardon for his wretched singing? These
things are all familiar from last year. SO was
Nine. Sembrctl's interpolated air from another
Doni7etu opera-a much needed device to prevent
the tenor from having everything his own way at
the end Of the merry comedy. Many years ago
Malibran ushered in the custom with waltz song,
composed by her husband, De Beriot, and the CAST
Italian AdiEa heard in New-York before Nine. Sem
bricns. to wit, that Of Nine. Gerster, followed her
example. Nine Sembrich's device is in better taste
and perfect harmony. and permits her TO
share the honors with the tenor without disturbing
the spirit Of the music. She sang it brilliantly
yesterday, she did everything. aid sent the audi
ence home with hearts elate anG tngllng palms.
The evening opera "FideIio' robbed Of some
Of its promised charms by the absence Of Mr..
Knote from the cast. Mr. Knotes indisposition had
been announced so that appointment
was felt that by the audience His place
was filed by Ar. DIPPED with all that zeal. hon
esty, high devotion and intelligence which he
never fails to put into every task that he is called
on perform, whether It be a week a min
utes notice. Mime. Senser-Bettaque labored quite as
zealously but-must there always be but when
she appeaTs?-she brought less conviction than
her companions in the dramatic department, and
gave less pleasure unsteady Mr.. Blass was an
excellent Rocco; no disappointment in his case, nor
by the high standard which we have been taught
apply by long years Of experience. in the Marcel
lima of Miss Alien or the Jacquino OF Mr.. ReiSs.
The audience was small Beethoven's opera has
had strange and contradictory history at the
Metropolitan In the first it was given once
to receipts amounting less than $780, year later
1t led the entire list in popularity. the fact ex-
citing admirng comment from authoritative
voice in Berlin. The next year it held its own IN
the midst of the WasEerian excitement, but since
then it has been rehabitated- But its turn
must again
Mr.. Knote, it was announced last night. VIII sing
in the concert Tonight