New-York tribune., 1906-12-09
MUSIC.
YESTERDAYS OPERAS.

There were six representations of grand opera
oHered for the entertainment, edifcation and de-
lectaton OF New York's music lovers yesterday
six representations which came after twelve that
had been purveyed by Managers Conred. Hammer
stein and Savage the five previous days of the
week There is something awe inspiring In the
mere record that II would seem best to leave IL
Tor contemplation undsturbed by comment. The
SIX offered nothing in the way OF music but
additions to the current lists were scarcely ex-
pected at the end of week which had witnessed
the production of two novelties at the Metropolitan
Opera House and the revival of an old work, which
mad slumbered without being missed for
of years. at the new institution. built. financed
aud managed by Mr.. Hammersteln. 1t may be
interesting to survey the weeks productions
Marta, Fedora La Damnation de Faust"
Tannhauser'' and again Marta" at the Metropol-
itan' Il Puritani." "Rigoletto' and Faust" the
nrst and last twice each, at the Manhattan:
Madam Butterfly" eight times at the Garden
inoatre. Time was. not many lustrums ago.
"hen such a list would almost have served
Tor season At three of the repetitions
there were slight changes in the cast At the
performance OF ''I Puritani' at the Manhattan In
the afternoon Mr. Brag, Of whom only good nat
ure and the exigencies Of the record permit men
tion' relieved Mr.. Arimondi to enable that hercu-
lean and dracontne basso to repeat in the evening
his impersonation of Mephistophees which had its
nrst exposition on the previous day. That i'm
personation. like the crude scenery and the dispo-
silon or chorus and orchestra to acquit themselves
or the music in the manner In which the stored
lrishma1 played the hdde-by main strength
called up memories Of days long gone by at the
Academy OF Music. Signor Campanini conducted
the performance. which made it's want of nuance
Of time and expression the more remarkable. Mr..
Campanari' It is understood. having had oppor-
tunity TO rehearse with Mr. Altchevsky the
tenor who appeared in the titular role Of the
opera, thought il unwise to the leadership.
Mr.. Altchevskys debut an agreeable
cason. He is young Russian, with a really
splendid artistic equipment-a presence that is
agreeable. voice that is OF fine quality, wei.
placed, pure ringing, ample In power and practi-
cally faultless in ntonation also he has intel-
caly faultless in intonation also he has intelligence
and taste. Mr.. Hanmerstein has been fortunate
in his engagement Of tenors: Bonc Dalmores and
Altchevsky-the latter two artists above the aver
age OF singers not in the very first rank the
former the finest exemplar Of the art OF song
among singers that this generation can re-
call Yesterday he outdistanced both his previous
performances.
At the house in upper broadway "Tannhauser'
repeated by the same artists-save the pack Of
Meadow Brook Hunt Club hounds-that sang the
opera last Friday week. The hounds did not ap-
pear, nor was apology made for them The opera
was admirably given and its concluding scenes were
witnessed by De. Muck. OF the Boston Orchestra
and Court Opera in Berlin. who. with his wife and
Professor Willy Hess occupied seats in the direc
tors box Nine Fleischer F3del advanced herself de-
cidedly in tbs good opinion OF the critical which
che won on her first appearance by her sing
Ing OF the music OF Elizabeth Hers Is
most sympathetic impersonaton. chaste and
lovely in conception and beautifully carried
out IN both song and action Her companion
Herr Burrian. presented Cor second time some Of
the traditions OF Bayreuth under the present regime
the petrifed attitude. Ike schoolboy trying TO
attract ths attention OF his teacher lasting from the
Transformation TO the arrival Of the pilgrims
in the first act, and the attachment to his harp
Decades ago Herr Niemann, nwilling 10 have the
harp dangling about his legs for hour after he
had twanged II in the last stanZa OF his song In
praise Of Venus invented the business Of throw
ing II away before his invocation OF the Virgin.
Now the ukase seems TO have gone forth that Tam
hAuser must not only keep his attitude. like tho
astonied DR.. Bartoio in I'll Barbiere,' till awak-
ened from his trance by the pilgrims. but he
hang his harp 70 his girdIe and carry II throughout
the whole act.
In Marta" last night Nine. sernbrich. Nine Ho-
neT and Mr.. Journet repeated their fine perform
ances Of last Monday, and Mr.. Dippel enacted the
part Of Lionello The tenor not in perfect vo-
cal condition. and more pleasure afforded by
his appearance and action than by his singing
II