The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-09
LEONCAVALLO IN CONCERT.
Selections From Some OF His Operas
Conducted by Himself.

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Ruggiero Leoncavallo, a composer Of
high repute in Italy. has the misfortune
70 be known in this country solely by his
popular "Pagliacci." He il now here for
the purpose of bringing to public attention
his other works, and last night in Carnegie
Hall a concert was given made up Of ex-
tracts from operas not yet performed here.
A large audience. mainly consisting OF
compatriots Of the musician. applauded
everything without the slightest disorimi-
nation. insisted upon enoores at all times
and shook the heavy air with salutations
in Italian from Little Italy. Mr.. Leon
cavallo bore himself with dignity in these
circumstances and gave to thoughtful
observers the impression Of a maestro
with honorable ambitions.
Selections from the operas @ZaZa,"
'Medici, ~Rolando di Berlino" and ~Pag-
liacci" were sung by these eminent artists"
according to the pTogramme): Mesdamas
Rizzini, Calvi and Ferrabini, Signori Bar
baini, Perya, Bellatti. de Ferran and Macchi,
together with an orchestra announced
as from La Scala Teatro, Milano. In adj
dition to the operatio excerpts there were
an Ave Maria" dedicated to his Holiness
the Pope, and a march viva IAmerioa, ="
dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt, 1t will
he recalled that Richard Wagner also
wrote us a march, and that we repaid him
with the inRratitude of republics.
Maestro L~eoncavallo's music was sadly
mishandled last night. In Italy the easy
going and readily moved people are ac-
CuRtomed to let their emotions fiutter
under the spell of such singing as that Of
the eminent artists" of this concert, but
over here the public has 40 long lsteled
10 the princes and prlnceSseS OF the realm
of song that il cannot be expected to weep
with joy over uoh performances. The
orchestra was by no means bad, neither
was H. above the average of respectable
merit. But il was honest in its endeavorS
and thoroughly in sympathy with the COM
poser, who directed his own music.
OF the music itself it can only be said at
this time that it showed all OF it, writer's
ia,al facility and his utter Indifference to
bald repetition of his own ideas. In spite
of these facts the selections frcm -Zaza"
were such "a to arouse a desire to hear the
opera in its entirety, for there was some
reason to hope that thus performed it would
prove effective. if not strikingly original,
and as pleasing To the general public here
a. It has proved in italy.
Unfortunately such concerts as that Of
last night cannot give a fair conception OF
any opera, nor do they even present the
separate numbers in q good light. Robbed
Ol lhelr LnCdtrCAl surroundings, deprived
Of the assistance of scene and action, not
to speak of their setting in the continuity
Of a score, they must of necessity appear
purposeless and mere points Of vocal dis
play.
The old fashioned operate conceTt has
fallen under artistic condemnation in these
day. Il never had any reason for eX-
l%~tencP: it no longer has any excuse for IL
II X to be hoped hat Leoncavallo's larger
works will he produced here in their original
form, The public would surely like to
have opportunity to find out whether it
would like other products Of this active
zen as much Ak il likes "Pagliacci."