The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-04
"GLI UGONOTTI" PERFORMED.
NEIERBEER HAS A NIGHT AT
THE OPERA.

Caruso sings RaOul In Italian. and So Every
One Else sings in italian. Too-'Mme'
sembrlcl's Triumph az Vocal Art
Nine. NOrdlca Admirable as Valentine.
Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots' was given
under Maurice Grau's direction at the
Metropolitan Opera House in January,
1908 II was called LES Huguenots' ad-
visedly then, for it was sung in French.
Last night Il was given for the first time
under Mr.. Conried's management, and it
ought to have been called ell Ugonotti.'
for the Italian text was used for the frat
time in several years.
Tho last Raoul previous to last nights
was Mr.. Alvarez, and bis chosen language
was French. Jean de Reszke was his prede-
cessor. and he also preferred French.
But on this occasion Mr., Caruso sang Rdou
for the first time in his career and he had
declined the task Of learning the role in a
foreign tongue. SO Italian 1t had to be.
II usually does not make much difference
whether it is Les Huguenots- or eli Ugo-
notti' The only thing that signifies is Die
Ugonotten,' and then it is indeed hard.
But even that used to be tolerated In the
palmy days Of Herr Perotti and Frau
Schroeder Hanfstangl. Certainly the Ital-
ian language did not sound at all distressing
last night, for who cares what the person
ages OF this opera say as long as they sing
their high notes and their low notes and
make cadenzas unto their own glory1
The Huguenots let's say IL in English.
and drop all linguistic nonsense-is purely
a singers opera. There are seven princi-
pals in the cast, and each has opportunities
TO perform feats of song. That is why it
Ia such a desirable work to the operatic
bargain hunter. To hear seven Of them
at one price is the real thing, and when 1t is
simply the price OF an admission ticket
II is more than real.
The Department Of Health has not ye
intefered with Mr.. Conried's admission OF
standees, for they we're lined up behind
the orchestra rail last night till they
touched thu wall at tho back. They had
the time Of their lives, too, and applauded
every tour dc force with all their might.
1t is not possible to he very serious about
the Interpretation Of Tho Huguenots.'
1t has one great episode, the duet between
Valentine and RGoi in the fourth act.
The opera is almost worth while as prep
aration for this really splendid scene.
Carusa are heard in 1t, there is every reason
for enthusiasm.
Mr.. Caruso is not yet at home in the role
OF RdouL He sang it with great care and
in the early scenes with confluence of tone.
There can never be any great quarrel with
this singer when he moderates the power
OF his voice. The organ ia one of uncom-
mon carrying power and its quality Is
most beautiful when its resources are not
taxed. OF course the great duet requires
Yilg "a fnFNsa Mr. tfal
to It's demands.
But not little OF his singing was tenta-
tive and apparently experimental, as II
b. had not matured his plan Of the part.
His acting had very little distinction and
most Of Il appeared to be without clearly
defined purpose. But it Is safe to say that
many uncertainties will disappear before
the revt performance.
Nine Nordica was a beautiful picture
when she made her entrance as Valentine
She was in good voice and she sang tho
part admirably. as she always does. Edyth
Walker disclosed herself in some gorgeous
clothes and apparently enjoyed her own
disoolorature singing in the first air Of
Urbdno, the page. The second was rnerci-
fully cut. Miss Walkers top notes are not
ravishing and her phrasing in the oadenza
Of 'Nobil sgnor" was OF the most hap
hazard sert
Nine. Sembrich as Mdrgheritd di VGlois
gave such an exhibition of vocal skill as
even she seldom bestows upon her hearers
She was by no means in good voice. and so
she called to her aid all the resources OF her
splendid art. In tie circumstances her
singing Of the Queens ford air was n
triumph. Even her associates on the stage
gazed al her in open eyed wonder and re-
warded her with open applause.
Mr.. Plancons dignifed 81 Bris is ia
miliar friend. The distinguished hasso
sang nobly last night. Mr.. Scott was in
every way admirable as De Nercrs but |
Mr. Jounet's Mnrcello was weak and color |
less. II is hardly necessary to comment |
on the playing Of the orchestra The |
score is alternately thin and vulgarly oisy. |
Musicians cannot make it sound noble.