New-York tribune., 1906-12-13
MUSIC.
MANHATTAN OPERA HOUSE.
don Giovanni. "

MI Hammerstein's artists at the Manhattan
opera House put performance to their credit last
night which went further than anything done last
week to justify the managers protestations that
ne intended to give opera In a first class manner
at MS institution. Incidentally, too. one OF the
enorts which his rival put forth with many trum-
petings last season put to shame and covered
with confusion. The opera was Mozart's Don
Giovanni that frequent cause Of grievous sorrow
on the part OF the mowers and lovers OF the best
IN operate literature Last season It received
anniversary performance AT the Metropolitan
which challenged both ears and execrations. and
when MIR. Hammerstein announced IT the second
opsra or his opening week the knOwers and the
lovers feared and sighed. It was postponed for
week doubtless for the great good OF the repre-
ssntation, for last night it marked a surprising
stride in Improvement in every department. except
the mechanical management of the stage Most
noticeable was the finish of the orchestras work At
last. after years recognition OF the iridescent
beauties and manifold expressiveness OF Mozarts
What a refreshmenti Again effort,
least. obtain the dramatic effects which the
composer contrived for the finale OF his first act
Unfortunately. the stage manager seconded Mr.
Campaninfs effort only feebly, as If he had only
half an understanding OF the directions which
Mozart himself wrote into Da Ponte's Hhretto-
Singular Is fl possible TO realize the purpose
of Mozart's two orchestras by letting some of the
gentry among Don Giovannis guests dance the
minuet TO the music of one band, while the simple
folk turn in a country dance? Surely, there ought
10 DS no dlr1CultV Win stage As d. SlAee~
OF this theatre. But let grateful credit be given
for Mr. Campaninrs effort 10 do justice to the
music. though It not crowned with COM
plete success. and let him be praised again for
having put vitality and beauty into the score even
though he amazingly deliberate in his tempt
at times when there should have been tha sparkle
Of champagne well the fragrance and body
of stil wine in the music for in spite or this ne
did not miss his clima1es.
Mr.. Hsmmerstei1's artists have not succeeded IN
-,ft Ef
series OF concert pieces, each withN setting which
only once in a while has significance, and the
creariness of this tment of the work is aggra
waited by the descent OF a sluggish curtain when
a change OF is made. But there Is
dramatic life in some OF the singing. and as has
been hinted. in the playing Of the orchestra Mr..
Renaud, who was 10 have impersonated the Don.
still under the weather, and Siguor Ancona
took his place. It fine opportunity for the
Italian singer. and he made the most OF IL, acting
with great skill and singing with finer expressive
than he had disclosed here before. His
OF the half voice particularly admirable.
There clog upon him IN the shape Of lump
ish Leporello Cur. Brag, who played the part IN
the festival performance arranged by Lilh Leh-
at Salzburg last summerO, and OF the woul-
only Miss Donalda (Zerlna) met him on an
even plere Nine. Russ donna Anna1 has
something OF the tragic manner and
voice that is ample IN power and would be
wholly fit in quality were it not marred by the
besetnE vices Of Italian eadiness and
expIosiveness Miss Arta Donna E1vira) looks Ike
a not very animated doll and has neither concep-
tion capacity for the part which she essayed;
but she is only the last OF a long list of singers
who have failed in what is the most difficult music,
IN respect OF style. that Mozart put into
opera. We have had adequate Elvtra since The
retirement Of Nine Christine Nilsson Miss Don
aida was piquant Zerlna, but a rather forward
mink in the first act. and trpped through the part
most agreeabIy, helping effectively throw into
high relief the most completely satisfactory dra-
matte impersonation of the evening-Mr. Giliberts
Masetto. The Hbrettist having made 1t impossible
for Don Ottavio be anything else than a milk
sop. Signor Bonci turned him into divine one by
his singing of the airs 'Dalla pace and ID
rlio tesoro." the latter achieving the most
tionaI triumph Of the evening Except IN the
boxes the audience tested the capacity Of the
house II Z. K