New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27
MUSIC.
Yesterdays Operas.

TWO operas were performed ar the Metropolitan
opera House yesterday. and both heard by
the most numerous audiences of the week. barring
mat OF Monday evening when a multitude
satnered TO see the social dsp play and incidentally
near an excellent performance OF Aida. On
Wednesday Thursday and Friday evenings there
were many listeners. but the walls of the audience
room were not endangered they seemed to be
on Monday. In fact. there were empty seats, and
at the 'Parsifal" performance room for elbows on
the rail- around the orchestra circle-a crcum-
stance which would not need TO be recorded were 1t
not for the amazing contrast presented by this and
last years spectacles Yesterday afternoon at the first
SUBSCRIPTION matinee, when ''Traviata'' was per-
formed there was the familiar crowd. and in the
evening, at the first representation at reduced
prices, the attendance seemed larger, all the
chairs even those in the boxes being occupied and
the seatless listeners being numerous as to call
for a liberal Interpretation of the law made and
provided for such occasions The opera was
''Tannhauser," IN which Nine. Eames and Mr..
Burgstaller the principal attractions. The
tenor tried his voice, likewise his limbs. in the
character OF the Ill starred Wartburg minstrel for
the first time any stage; but of that anon. For
the second time in the six performances or the
week It given to the audience to discern the
good qualities of the orchestra which plastic
and euphonious in Utterance. as 1t had been In
"Parslfar' under the guiding hand Of Mr. HERTZ
whereas In the italian and French operas. con-
Quoted by Signor Vigna. II had been rude and dis
respectful toward the singers ana tne score EAuC
of its work in "Traviata' was acceptable but
there were moments when \ difference Of purpose
between the singers and the conductor wrought
discomfort and misery to all concerned.
The noteworthy people In the representation OF
Ia Travata'' Nine Sembrch. Sgnor Caruso
and Signor Scott; the noteworthy performances
were all those Of Nine. Sembrich, though one or
them. the duet ''Parigi, cara" was shared with
her by Signor Caruso. whose work throughout the
opera would have left more gratifying impress
sion had he forgotten the just claims Of intona-
ton in the first act AS for Nine sembrich, there
is no time to invent the rhapsody OF phrase
which could alone do justice to her singing yes
terday. It has long seemed so strange as to be
almost paradoxicaI that singer who seems TO be
the last incarnation Of what is most beautiful in
Mozart's style should also be quite as unique in
this one opera of Verdis. Verdi is not always
vocal IN the old manner, but the manner IN which
Nine Sembrich united the classic legato style with
the dramatic feeling OF the modern Italian master
in "Dite ala giovine." "Addio del passato and
"Ah! fors Iui. made mightier pulls on the
heartstrings Of her hearers and threatened more
disaster TO the lachrymal foodg ates than the dra-
matte situations of the old play.
'Tannhauser' had a fine representation in the
evening. IF 1t something like this that Mr..
Conried had IN mind when he talked ;ecently Of
more opera for less money, he would rever enccun-
ter a word Of encouragement or dispraise. But 1t
can scarcely be thought that he meant perform
ances employing such artists Nine E,ames. Mr..
Burgstaller Mr. Blass and Mr.. Goritz who were,
respectively. the Elizabeth, Tannhauser, Landgrave,
Hermann and Wolfram of last nights representa-
ton. OF all OF these except Mr.. Burgsla!cr It has
the pleasant privilege OF this journal TO speak
IN words Of praise in discussing the same opera be-
fore There need be stint in the case Of the new
conner Mr. Burgstaller has studied his role thor
oughly. His conception is not always that Of the
hero. "a typical Germanr from top TO toe" that
Wagner ina gined; 1t has moments of that peculiar
effeminacy which has called for remark in the other
characters which he has enacted. but II is finely
excellence.