The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-07
sun BALLO IN MASCHERA. :"
ONE or TERDTS POOR Works
REVIVED AT TIE OPERA.

| Caruso Leads to the Footlights Another
OF His Fayorlte Purts-Eames Wins a
Triumph MS Amelia--Bella Alten Has
Troubles. and Plancon Looks Wicked.
OF course some people can take any
thing seriously, They will find in the
walking Of bulldog on its hind legs a
signal demonstration OF reasoning powers
in animals and in tho escape Of phony
blind man from an Infatuated devil wagon
manifestation of the keen eye of Provi-
dence People Of that sort will undoubtedly
give serious consideration TO an opera in
which the Governor q OF Boston in Puritan
days gives magnificent masquerade ball
and sends an ambassador to England.
This Is the sort OF thing that goes on
in pious New England in Verbs opera
TN Balo in Maschera. Nevertheless,
because there are some good duets in the
score and an opportunity for the tenor to
die heroically, forgiving his enemies and
bewaled by the ever faithful chorus, the
work is brought forward from time to
time.
Italian tenors appear to have n special
tenderness for the role of Ricardo, Governor
OF the Hub of the Universe. To be sure
there never was Governorof Boston, but II
there had been he would surely have been
just such a good and great man "a this one
and, lacking a desperate secretary, he
might have been stabbed in the hack by
the cynics Of the st Botolph Club
The last time -Un Ballo in Maschera'
was performed at the Metropolitan was
on Feb. 23 1908, near the termination OF
Maurice Graus management, The cast
7 lrtg
FRITZ Scheff as Oscar De march, as Rtc-
odrdo. Campanar as Rendto, Edouard de
Reszke as Sam and Gourmet as Tom. 1t
was doubtless owing 10 certain Unsuitable
cravings on the part of Mr. de march, that
the opera was then given.
1t has long been cherished ambition OF
Mr. Conried TO get the work on the stage
again. Like -Lucrezia Borgia" and Die
Weisse Dame, it has haunted his dreams.
Mr. Caruso, who is the Adams apple OF the
Herr Direktor's eve. has been yearning for
a hack at Ricardo. There is nothing that
Mr. Conried would deny Mr.. Caruso for lie
is so modest, so amiable such lovely fellow.
and draws such delightful audiences, that no
manager could Withstand him.
So last night we were invited once more
10 feast our souls upon the dread mysteries,
curdling horrors, and sweet tunes of I'm
Balo in Mnschera. We are good public,
We take or medicine and our sugar pluIns
with equal avdity, We went forth cheer
fully and gregariously to hear the Masked
Bali and we applauded literally and often.
Sometimes people in other Jealous villages
say We are provincial; sometimes they call
ua laws and come -ons; but we are imper-
yioIls to the narrow minded vituperaiion
of communities which cannot perceive the
unfailing excellence Of our operate lnstitu-
ton
We do not mind They shall listen to
-Parsifal- and Carmen or the lessons Of
the Guileless Fool and the Pooling Coils.
They will never see the streets Of Verdi's
Boston, for after last nights performance
and perhaps one or two more IN New \ York
the battered and shopworn old Claptrap
will be packed away IN tar and camphor
in the library Of the opera house. where
moth and trust will not corrupt nor English
opera managers break In and steal.
Ine performance st mgut vas made
almost worth while by the singing Cf some
Of tho principals Nine. Eames assumed
the role Of A,nsiio, the aCored one OF the
virtuous Governor, for the first time. and
achieved IN IL n measure Of success entirely
unexpected The music OF the part ~ not
robustly dramatic. but 1t demands breadth
Of style, wealth Of tone and warmth OF
delivery, This is especially true OF the
duet in the midn SHIT scene.
Nine Eames was in thoroughly 60 cd
voice. and she was not afraid 10 give plenty
Of tone, She sang with her uniaillng com
mand OF flowing legato but that would not
have sufiiced. In the duet with Riocdrdo
she rose to a height Of sincere feeling,
which she has not eQualled in any other
role Her accent was almost passionate,
and there was certainly dramatic nuance,
Mr. Caruso was equally admirable in
the foolish costumes and still more foolish
situations OF Ricardo the Governor Of Bos-
ton, who disguised himself as a NeaIch-
tan fisherman In the Back Bay district.
His singing was a continuous joy. He
has not at any time this season given a
more beautiful disclosure Of the richest
qualities Of his voice and art II would lie
idle TO say that he offered an impersOnation.
No one can make human figure Of an
operate doll baby, even If stuffed with
star dust
Mr. Scott as RcnGto looked a picture
and sang his music like an artist which Is
not strange. because he is one. Mime
Homer sang Ciyicd only fairly. The part
does not seem TO please her fancy Bella
Alien had fearful and wonderful time
with the music Of Oscar. II it did not give
did II hurt the hearers anyhow
Last but not leas, Mr. plancon re Srn
and Mr. Journe, as Tom doomed around
on the borders Of things. conspiring, with
malice in their eyes and their hands in
their pockets. openly and without attempts
at concealment. They had little 10 say
but they leaned up against one another
and looked real devilish, so that the chorus
regarded them and their general appear
ance. especially Plancon's wig with awe.
On the whole IL was "A notable night