Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-04
Music and Musical Notes

are sensitive to musical impressions.
Philip Hale asks, when a noble work of
musical art by Beethoven or Mozart is
played. is the first remark, oh, how Aus
trian!' is Caesar Franck or Debussey APP
plauded all for French flavor?" Surely
great music of the world has more than a
national flavor
1t will be interesting to follow these dis
cussions and see If our president displays
the same tenacity in pushing this idea that
has been apparent in the politics of the ma
ton.
Puccinis fascinating opera on Bohemian
life i'll the Paris Latin quarter, entitled
La Boheme," to be sung here by the
Savage Grand Opera company, was the
third work by this now famous composer
preceding his "rosca" by four years. The
opera Was produced at Turin in 1896 and
threatened to rival even Mascagnis "Caval-
leria Rusticana" for popularity in Europe.
Henry w. Savage produced it in English
the next year in New York. and revived 1t
last season as the chief novelty of his
repertory. The opera is derived from
Henry Murger's novel, La Vie de
Boheme," written in ls4s The story is a
reproduction Of student life in the old
Lubih VI 1dIlS IN 1851 Inc nero,
Rudolph, is Murger himself, and many of
his friends can be identified. Consequently
the story and play have a strong dramatic
interest. 1t is outlined as follows:
Rudolph is poet who lives with a
painter, Marcel, ana two other friends,
achaundru, musician, and ColIlne, u
pniIosopnlc Fellow, IN "a dIngy attic. In
MS poverty he burns the manuscript OF his
last pay to procure u nttIe warmth.
Senaunald Dursts III with some money he
mas obtained After humorous scene
with their landlord the three IrIends leave
huuolph at work and start for cafe.
Pfetty Mimi, the wall, knocks timidly and
enters gust of wind blows out the last
candle in the attic, and there is a pretty
love scene IN the dark. Gradually the moon
rises ana the two issue forth TO Join the
merry party.
Act II SHOWS the friends at a restaur-
ant Marcel Is gloomy Tor his little sweet
from MIN 10 the rich Old Alcindoro, a mar
gus. Inc TWO enter. The rest OF the act
Is comedy, Musetta making her aged at
tendant perform ridiculous acts OF devo-
uon. Pretending that a mali In her shoe
is hurting her the marquis hurries on
with the slipper to a coboler. Finally a
crowd surkes IN on the heels OF street
haWker ana Musetta is carried away py
her former friends, and the marquis re-
turns to the deserted cafe and is con-
fronted with the lone waiter and mis- bill
me Barrlere knfer, one OF the gates
Of Paris. IS the scene OF Act III. The stu
cent friends at nelghboring hotel are
continuing festive party TN daybreak
Mimi enters coughing, and finding Marcel
tells him that Rudolph is neglecling her,
She hides while Rudolph and Marcel talk
Things over. 1t is only one more OF their
lovers quarels, and they are soon recon
ciled. Musetta meanwhile comes from the
Inn and has another stormy interview with
her lover, Marcel deserving him again.
In Act ~ the scene returns to the stu
dents attic. Rudolph and Marcel sit pre-.
tending to WORK, but soon cease the pre-.
tense ana talk of their gloomy lots bott
having again broken of with Mimi anc
Muselta. Scnaunard and Colline come il
and cheer them up. Another knock is
heard II is Muselta, richly dressed sup
porting the wasted form OF Mimi who /.
, IN the last stages of her fatal disease MIN
is laid on couch and a doctor sent for
While the others stand aside, Rudolph anC
Mimi are happy again for the last time
Gradually life hickers from the girl anC
Rudolph throws himself upon her in al
agony of despair.
l The music OF La Boheme" belongs e
/, both the French and the Italian schools
1t is modern in treatment, without, how
. ever, being Wagnerian. To Bizet per
a haps, Puccini owes most, but his melod
gift is distinctly his own. The music fol
lows the story throughout, the dramati
: entity OF the play seldom being interrupte,
: By solos or arias. The most delightful In
cldents are the Quartets and Quintets Il
:, the second and third acts, the beautifI
d solo TO Minis pretty hands and duet /
a the first, and the quaint Goat Song /
the last act. This act contains remin
iscences of the earlier themes. which ar
beautifully woven together into an intensel
N Affecting finale. JULIET M'CJTNE