New-York tribune., 1906-12-06
NJ MUSlC.
FEDORA" DONE TO MUSIC.

BILE achievement on the part Of Director Conried
who uttered official document last season 10
explain why novelties all but impossible IN
der existing conditions at the Metropolitan opera
House Put circumstances alter cases OF course
and some novelties are more easily produced thsn
others. An opera without chorus. vithout
ballet, with scenic effects that require
preparation and with which the only persons
seriously concerned are familiar, an opera
moreover. in which there are many pages IN
which it makes but little difference what tones
the singers send out to hob around and EDDY IN
the instrumental swirl ought not TO be a difficult
task IN any opera house Such opera is re
CORA which was brought forward last night 10
serve as the medium of introduction for Nine
Cavalieri and t. disclose SgnOr Csruso In
now character. The opara-if that term. which
is acquiring undreaned Of dignity since It
was discarded by the italian champions Of real
ism. or veritsu he applied to it's Sar-
dous play put upon the composers PrOCTus-
team bed and shaped for the exigencies of a
musical investment It's composer IA Tmbe5to
ctordano, who belongs to The hot-blooded school
which first came into extended notice through
Iascagn and his "Cavalleria RustIcaua.- In this
school there scarcely he said to ne disciples all
are prophets ut least in the estimation of them
selves. their outorprisiue publishers and their
friends. once thought that they all owed
unconf'ssed debt to PoEchelli. but if the ohit-
CATION is outlawed and longer worthy OF discus
sion GloTdano's name came momentdrily into local
notice ten years ago. when Copar Maplesons
SPuttcflNg candle at the Academy Music throw
its expiring rays Andrea Ch6uier" IL
thought chen by this reviewer that the young
man had something to say to the world which
would at least merit very serious attention. bat
there have been disclosures since which diminished
his seeming stature Puccini's name dawned
as later and has continued emit considerable
radiance ever since like that OF IAoncavauo in
his one succcssful opera: SpiuelHs came and went
six years ago i'm a brief frrupton OF ~ Basso
Porto. Musnone has yet remained iugorously
mute for MS. but shall have to wait but a few
days. If Nj Conred keeps his promise. before
Cilaas name will be made known 20 us through
an operate version Of ''Adrienne Iecouvreur-" The
juXtapositiou Of Fedora and 'Ad7leune' indi-
Gates reversiOn 10 aH.early Of Verdi in the
choice Of subjects though there has been a world
of change since Ia Dame Camelllas'' became
La Trayiata' and Schiller's 'Kaiale und IIebe''
was transmog-aed into 'I.usa Miller In
respect the latter day tendencies Of the veritists
is commeadable. II is better that they should at
tempt the Impossible with plays OF Sardou and
Scribe than to continue walow in the fifth OF
the barnyard and shafnbles. Even the most blood
thirsty lover OF the new Italian muse was bound
10 grow weary Of the musicll style which only
decade ago threatening 20 infect Germany
well France.
1t is hardly necessary say that operate music
IS no longer what il when Verdi redeemed his
consumptve waHton with his melodies. Then It
never attempted TO meddle with the action, but
confined itself 10 charactertzing the people OF the
tured up at intervals by It. Now as we were COM
PEELED to observe last night. the play no longer
exists for the music. but the music for the play.
Sensuous beauty is no longer sought; the tones
have become only cOndiment a hot spice which
occasionally give raised expression a shrek. but
for the rest retard the action and disturb attention
which might more proftably be employed else
where. Puccn possesses the power of characterize
tion. and can color with his melody well his
harmony and orchestral pigment Nothing approach
ing his skill could be found IN Giordano's Fedora
more sluggish and intolerable first act than the
legal inquest can scarcely be imagined Frag-
ments Of inconsequential tunes hoat along in
turgid stream. while above It the people Of the
play chatter and scream, and become Ineligible
and interesting only when they lapse into ordinary
speech Ordinary speech is the only speech that
an expeditions drama tolerate, and it is
raised TO a higher power by the blowing OF
brass or the beating Of drums. The fran6est
confession Of the futiIty of Giordano's effort to
make lyric drama. out OF Fedora" IS con-
tanned In the fact that only those moments IN
his score musical in the accepted sense when
the play stops IN the Of the interuezzo
which cuts the second act in two. when the old
operate principles wake again into life as in Loris's
confession OF love. Here, in the first instance a
mood receives musical delineaton. and in the sec
ond passion which is naturally lyrical receives
utterance. one device to the operatic stage
i'll its eXter1els least is ingeniously employed by
the composer The conversation In which Fedora
cxtorts confession from Iors is carried on while
q pianist entertains the pTincesss guests with
solo upon hts instrument But the fact that sing
ing tones used and not spoken adds nothing TO
the value of the scene.
This opera like Puccni's 'Tosca' which is in
huitely finer, would he intolerable without good
acting and ii has been the good fortune Of both to
ind operate artists who are something more than
mere singers. Nine. CavaIeri IS only singer in
the third instance 10 speak. In the first she
a marvellously beautiful woman. with a skill I'm
dress aud graCefuIuess and eloquence Of carriage
and pose which have irresistible charm in them
selves In the second. she is of admirable
parts. AS singer her province can only
be found In works like this OF Giordano's IN which
none of the elements Of good sinCing-not even the
elementary ones of correct intonation and agree
able voice quality-need enter Her vocaliza ton
worth discussion: her voice is void OF charm:
her Indifference TO the text amazing. Vet she had
her triumph which was second only to that of
CarusOs, triumph woa hy his glorious voice. with
its sensuous beauty welded TO the accents OF pas
sion. other artists took part in the performance
and acquitted themselves we'll even these OF in
ferior rank. This ability do that one Of the
advantages which this style of lyric drama offers
ization. \ record of the east will suffice least
for to-day:
Fedora. Nine. Cavaiiert
Olga Mis-. AIrrn
H.ntr. .NSs Ma-fe]d
lie Si-IeN. Scout
j. Barere Rouvel}
MUhmauu
,sroch. Mr putricbe
Iu slav IaIlski-. Air NoShera