New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-16
oPERETTA AT THE METROPOLITAN.


Mr.. Conried threw his pious professions Of three
years ago the winds the Metropolitan Opera
House last night and returned TO his ideals OF
decades ago. He gave the institution whic+
might and ought TO be the loftest Of its kind in
the world, 10 German comic operetta, and into the
midst of this injected a miscellaneous concert of
the Sunday night order. To prepare this mongreI
entertainment money and time were prodigaIly
spent For a work which has place in the rep
ertory Of the Opera House on any plea, and which
could not maintain itself there even If it were TO
receive the sanction Of the committee Of the stock
holders whose province it is to care that q rneri-
tortous standard be preserved new scenery was
lavishly provided and masterpieces of serious opera
sacrificed An appeal was made to the spirit Of
frlvolity which has heaped humiliation and dis
grace upon the theatrical stage and to the ptiful
curiosity which hungers for raree show and is as
willing to find II in the sanctuary the Sums.
That the director might Gull financial holiday
the lovers Of a dgnifed and beautiful art form
were arrronted. the purposes for which the Metro
politan Opera House was built set at naught and
the dignity and influence OF the great artists whose
engagement is made possible by magnificent public
generosity compromised
We cannot but believe that epheraeraI as the IN
cident may SEEM its influences will neither be feet
ing narrowly circumscribed- Coming upon the
heels Of the futile efforts made to present some of
the lyric dramas Of Wagner and the masterpiece
OF Mozart. it must perforce arouse suspicion Of
sincerity Of the professions made when Mr.. Conred
took hold OF the administration Of the great estao
hshment, or prompt curious questonings TO his
ideals and capacities. Though not SO hailed the
production OF Johann Strauss's ''Zigeunerbaron'
last night celebrated an anniversary in Mr. Con-
reds career. Twenty years before TO the very
day the operetta had received its first American
performance at the hands OF a company of come
dams under the management OF Mr.. Conried. The
place the Casino Theatre. the date February -
1886. The operetta was presented in English as
The Gypsy Baron" and Mr.. Conrieds zeal in its
behalf was SO great that this reviewer writing in
the columns of this journal. commented the fact
that II had been put the stage in style which
for attention 70 detail surpassed the best efforts Of
the Metropolitan Opera House and the Academy Of
Music. Strauss operetta was then in appropriate
surroundings Its pretty pictures fell delightfully."-
into the eye. its lifting measures captured the
gracious fascination went out from the romantic
story ana wound itself around the fancy in spite OF
It's rnaltreatrnent by the German brettist and its
butchery by the translator. The comedy in
telIigibl4 and diverting. and the music was sung
and played with admirable spirit. Last nights
stage pictures sUmptuous and beautiful called Up
memories OF their prototypes On fact, should not
be al all surprised 10 learn that they painted
from the original models. but the singing and act
ing did not. for they suffered much from their
environment. that the advantages Of voices and
numbers were overcome.
No effort shall be made here TO belittle the merit
Of Der Zgeuneroaron" a comic opera It
was pu: upon the shelf in New-York fully fifteen
wears ago. and II is morbund in its native land,
a hundred things cOnSplred IN us IaVOF lAdL
have no potency here. But though weaker than
Die Fiedermaus." which huttered into the Metro
politan Opera House and died last year. less spark
ling less original. less individual despite fact
that every page bears the unm!stakabe impress Of
STRAUSS amiabIe genius it is hundredfold better
than the invertebrate hybrds which have taken its
place since In the Broadway homes of musical
farce The bright little story written by Maurice
Jokai which supplied the hbrettst with plot
abled the composer 70 supplement Hungarian
tunes with Hungarian music. and Strauss utilized
,A opportunity with ravishing effect, especially in
the last scene Of the first act when sam the sup
,osedIv evpsy maiden. and efrerward the gypsy
chorus sing czardas full OF the mixed uelan-
cboIv and wild humor OF Magyar music Exquisite
continent and a fine command Of poetic express
SION mark the scene in the second act IN which the
lovers answer the questions OF the Commissioner
touching the lawless marriage Of the lovers. but
,bA chorus with anvil accompaniment. which pre-
cedes it, is an amusing echo Of II Trovatore-"
Notwithstanding al this and much else that
might be said IN its favor. Der Zigeunerbaron"
,s an oneretta a.d German operetta at that, and
n has no legitimate place in the Metropolitan Opera
tIouse where its aroma Of romance is as piteously
svsIIoUed I'D In space as its rude humor.
RE plea that the operetta is worthy OF place
4, ,i,a rensrtorv oe the Metropolitan Opera House
because II has been IN the lists Of German houses
Is specIous and maladroit. II was not produced at
the Court opera In Vienna. but at the Thea'er-an-
der-Wien. -.
- a., rensrtorv OF the Court Opera Only one OF
strauss's operettas has received this honor and
No. ,gss FOR only brief space and under unusual
circumstances. air Mailer. desiring to do some
thing handsome financially IoF the pension Iuho
oe tba roennbers of the opera house gave three or
-FOUR gaia performances OF Die Bledermaus." with
tIo principal singers OF the opera in the cast
Ths performances were all out OF the regular
course however. and other operotta OF Strauss
has thus been signalized. though. we believe. enc
~ OfcnbacEs