The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-13
MADAM BUTTERFLY" SUNG.
PUCCINFs NEW OPERA AT THE
GARDEN THEATRE.

llt DlAtlsh hObAANy
Butterfly" has at last braved the rigors OF
the western ocean and disclosed itself to a
wondering New York public. 1t was pro-
duced last night at the Garden Theatre by
Henry W. Savage, lord OF the Castle Square.
and that means that it was given with Eng
lish text. Mr.. Savage deserves well Of his
fellow countrymen, for he has done his
best to induce them to take their opera as
Continental peoples do, in the v~ernacular.
Up to the present, however, polyglot opera
tops tho market.
T~heatregoers will doubtless be able to
recall a poetic and tragic little one act play
nv John Luther Long and David Belasco,
entitled Madam Butterfly" 1t was the
%forerunner OF the gorgeous and extended
Darling Of the Gods" 1t is out Of this
little play that Inica and Giscoea, hbrettist
TO every one in general in Italy, have con-
stIucted a two act opera. Naturally they
have somewhat elaborated he dialogue OF
the original, but they have in no way de-
parted from the subject matter Of the
story.
Experienced plsygoers will gather from
this that the operate version provides all
the scenic and characteristic color OF the
play, together with the illusions added
by music. The genius OF Belasco In de-
vising stage pictures which not only charm
the eye but captivate the fancy is preserved
in the work, while Puccini has found inspi-
ration for a score Of poetic texture and
autumnal tints.
1t may seem ~ungenerous at the very out
set to find fault with the fact that tho opera
was given in English, and nc such fault could
or would be found were the English not Of
the ordinary libretto type. 1t is IN the
fatality which seems to follow the attempt
to turn foreign texts into the vernacular
that the whole hazard Of opera in English
lies. 1t il hard to keep the Imagination
Of the auditor in subsection to the Illusion
Of the scene when some passionate swain
chants Love will not be dying" or a doubt
ing friend remarks in full mouthed reci-
tative, Wen hope So" The truth is that
the English version Of Madam Butterfly
suffers from the same illness as those Of
Faust" and Romeo and Juliet" 1t is
prosaic.
That lsst evenings performance tri-
umphed over his disillusioning element
speaks much for the poetic atmosphere
of the stage pictures, the witchery OF Puc-
cini's score, the singing Of the principal
performers and also in at least one case
for the acting. Puccini's music shows
all the composers familiar earmarks.
There are turns OF melody ana harmony
and methods of treatment which could not
he mistaken for those of any writer.
The duet between Butterfly and Pinkerton
in the first act il twin brother 20 that be-
tween Rudolf and Mimi in the first act OF
ia Boheme." The scene for Butterfly IN
the presence Of ptess in the second act
III. -ooo1la N,Tnf and thu fOllO win scene
brings up recollections Of Toscd.
Blt stvle is the man, and in these days
an ounce OF melodic invention is worth a
pound Of score. The melodic ideas IN this
opera are spread out thinly on a BACK
ground Of exquisite Instrumentation. 1he
sys tenn Of representative themes is used
a. il ia in PUccini's other operas, and this,
of course. renders possible the making
Of lyric bricks with but few straws. Wagner
left a precious legacy to the impoverished
children of Verdi.
BIt, when ali is said, Puocini's score is
none the less one of unquestionable charm.
The moods of the opera are voiced with a
beautiful sense Of proportion, with a del
icacv, a refinement OF touch and a ski!
in the marshalling Of the Instrumental
and choral machinery OF the lyric stage
such as is possessed by no other Italian
opera writer OF to-day. In the technic OF
o~peratic construction Puccinl 10 a master
hand. The result IL that while criticism
NAV Ulu eNlu0lCC VI oiib AotAV
in melody, the theatre responds to a skill
full combination OF it's own devices quite
equal TO anything achieved by Belasco
himself. Wagner's union OF the arts
tributary to the drama are here employed,
perhaps not with the high ideals conceived
by the German, but in n manner thoroughly
moving to the th~eatregoer.
There are not many centres OF climax
in this deity woven score. The hrst IL
reached in the opening act when PInkertor
-gI ~. chilli urtfn and fhA
two voice their passion in the duet before
mentioned. Here we have Puccini at his
hest as a provider of points of vocal accom-
plishment for his artists. The duet sings
itself in warm, pulsating accents, singers
who could not make 1t effective would be
blocks indeed.
THE whole second act, resting, az il does,
upon the shoulders OF Butterfly, IL n
of peculiar charm. There Is nothing till
the closing passage that the analyst can
deal with at great extent, yet all IL interest,"
ing. But the climax OF the scene is raVlsh-
ing in its poetic beauty. Butterfly, watch
ing at the window for her husbands return,
the distant and family heard chorus chant
ing in measures that seem bred OF the moon
light itself, and the orchestra whispering
a simple but strikingly effective accom-
paniment, combine to make n stage appeal
that should reach any fancy. however
jaded with the shopworn devices OF the
theatre.
In the final scene buUefIU 2 nrSt slknt OF
Pinkerton's American wife and her suicide
give the composer two points of power.
But sufficient has been said to give the i'm
pressions Of a first night. Madam Butter
fy" will furnish food for further study. Mr..
Savage must be credited with an uncom-
monty good presentation OF the work, far
and away better than many OF his previous
essays in the field OF serious opera. The
work has been well rehearsed and. better
than that, we'll studied.
Its spirit is understood and the result is a
most impressive ensemble. In this respect
the performance might easily claim rank
with some Of che best given at the Metro
politan. The shortcomings were those to
be expected. The singers were not Of the
highest order. The orchestra was not
thoroughly good and was so badly placed
tina II wa robbed OF what sorority IL might
otherwise have had. But it was well con-
Quoted by Walter Rothwell, who directed
Mr.. Savage's ~Parsifal" production.
As Madam Butterfly Eliza Szamosy, a
Hungarian prima donna, whom Puccini
heard in Budapest, and whom he recon-
mended to Mr.. Savage for the role, achieved
a promo unced success. A singer with a
voice of moderate charm n rather hard
- l. Aus,.-azkAI 49, 49,. -