The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-04
ANOTHER OPERA HOUSE OPEN.
OSCAR HANMERSTEIN BEGINS
HIS SEASON.

DC Friends -AlcSsandr0 Ronci n De-
ctded success rs Arturo -Niakt0 AncOna
Has Learned to SiBg -ArtmOndi Piesses,
Oscar Hammerstein kept faith with the
prblic last night. He opened his new Man
haitian Opera House with Rellipi's Il Puri-
tnni' and gave the audience a good per-
forrnance. There were some rough edges in
the presentation, but il there had not been,
it would nave been wonderful. There were
many more rough edges about the manage
nent OF affairs in the front Of the house. but
it would have been equally remarkable il
these had been absent.
The auditorium when filed presented a
brilliant appearance. The white and red,
which are the prevailing colors. were well
displayed by the electric lights. but the
costumes of the women were somewhat too
much thrown together to be shown to the
best advantage. The audience was not that
Of the Metropolitan Opera House, but one
quite different, and in this fact may be
found the hope for the endurance OF the
new enterprise.
Beliini's Il Puritani" has not been heard
here since Gerster sang Eluira under Ma
p~leson's management twenty-three years
ago at the Academy of Music. 1t was
then, too. that We had two opera enter
rriscs fighting for public favor. with the
,esuls that the Academy closed its doors
and the Metropolitan went on. But in the
TALL of 1899 Col. Mapleson returned to
America and tried it again. This time his
struggle was short. Now there is a new
lattle, and Mr.. Hammerstein fred a good
sized gun last night.
4 summary Of tho features Of Mr.. Ham,
merstein's latest plunge into the opcratic
sea would include a cast of unequal merit,
decidedly stronger on the male than on
the female side, an orchestra Of good
musicians conducted very capably. a
chorus of good size, fairly good appearance
and respectable quality OF tone. a most
excellent stage, close to the audience, and
n stage management which showed promise
Of development into something tolerable.
Bellini's Il Puritani, with its plot, which
was regarded as foolish even so long ago
ms Henry Chorley's day, and its music, which
never stirred any soul but that of a tenor,
is hardly the opera to bring out all the
resources of an opera house. but 1t does
give an opportunity for singers of the older
school TO reveal the resources OF their art
Naturally. therefore. the interest OF the
audience centred on the principals. some
of whom came from Europe trailing long
regulations behind them. while two came
back after protracted absences. burning
20 prove tina they ought to have been sent
for long ago. The Italian army, merci-
fully penned in behind a railing az the
very rear OF the orchestra stalls, kept up
such a continuous yelling and pounding
that il was difficult at times TO hear just
what the singers were doing. but the more
sedate part Of the audience managed to
pass a pleasant evening.
The most famous star" who appeared
last night was Alessandro Bonci. He
had the highly interesting role of Arturo,
beloved OF Rlbini and essayed with less
success by Mario. The music OF this part
has not been heard here since Mapleson's
laws at the Academy OF Music. Mr.. Bond
made a complete demonstration OF the rea-
sons for his high reputation, but neverthe-
less it is safe to say he was not at his best.
AHe was undoubtedly nervous To come
before a public apparently welded to
Caruso was no small venture. But. what
was worse, Mr.. Bonci was unquestionably
hattling against a slight congestion OF the
vocal organs, otherwise one or two small
breaks in his phrases would certainly not
ave occurred.
His voice il a lyric tenor OF light color,
but agreeable quality. OF his method OF
emission il can be said that although it 10
marred by some mannerisms, especially
in the treatment OF nasal resonance, IL is
that Of a great artist. His phrasing and
~nuancing are exquisite. There are delicacy,
refinement, grace and elegance in his sing
ing, and he will surely become a ~favorite
with this public.
Mario Anoona, as Ricardo, came back
after some ten years OF absence. In those
years he has become a vocal artist. He
has got rid of his most Objectionable man.
nerisms, especially his ~explosiveness. He
now sings a fine fluent musical cantilena.
He won warm applause last night and he
deserved every bit OF il. Such a good
barytone voice 50 well used is a pleasure TO
hear.
vittorio Arimondi. basso, who had the
role of Giorgio, has also been in this country
before, and has also made progress in his
art since we had the pleasure Of hearing him.
His voice is a big sonorous organ. 1t is of
fine quality and is true to the pitch. He
sang his music last night most excellently.
Regina Pinkert, the colorature soprano ,
made her first appearance in this countr
rs EttlTus III NblS bhibVA WI
stein has a soprano who has evidently
had long and valuable experience in her
calling. 1t is a pity that she did not come
to America sooner, for it is plain that her
voice must nave been better m years now
gone.
1t is a very light voice, and in the lower
tones has a tendency to pallor. Further
more, her cantilena is sadly married by a
heavy tremolo. But when it came TO the
oolorature passages Of her role she covered
herself with glory, especially in her s~taccati,
which were clear, pure and bell like. She
hurled some very. high notes at her hearers
and took some daring leaps. These brought
her plenty of applause.
OF Mime. Zaccaria, who was the Enrichtt tn,
no extended notice need be made. What
she did last night ave no great promise for
the future, but she may succeed in astonish-
ing US some time.
The chorus, as before intimated, sang
fairly well and the orchestra emitted a
body of sonorous and agreeable tone. 1t
was generally too loud. for the hous is
very resonant. Cleofante Campanini. the