The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-13
I'll BARBIERE DI STI TGLII."
ROssInI's Delightful Comic Opera sung Al
the Metropolitan Opera House.

R~OssInI's Delightful COmIc Opera sung al
the Metropolitan Opera House.
I'll Barbiere Iii Siviglia" was brought for
ward last night az the Metropolitan Opera
House with a cast of unusual description.
Seldom do the Slav and Latin races com
mingle in such a scene of theatrical gGycty
as tina Witnessed when one Pole. one Rus
sian, three Italians and a FrenchwOman
united in the merry finale Of the second
act. The audience was apparently delighted
with the exhibition, yet there were some
things which must have mad the judicious
grieve. Mr.. Chaliapine came all the way
IRON Russia to give us a new caTicature of
Don Bdsiiio, who was already something
OF a caricature in his original share.
No one will say that Mr.. Chaliapine was
not funny. His makeup was uncommonly
conceived and the mask was prepared
for all those contOrtiOns Familiarity known
TO the actor as "mugging." That is not a
pretty word. but it is the theatrical name
for ridiculous, eXtravagant and inapprO-
pirate facial writings. These and bodily
suuiTmings constituted the chief stock in
trade of MIR. C~haliapine's Don BG Ito. il We
except an elegant and pointedly suggestive
piece of stage business with a dirty hand
kerchief.
II would be interesting to know on what
ground MIR. Chaliapine justifies "A COncep-
ton of Don BdSihO which makes personal
u~ncIeanliness and vulgarity essentia to his
constitution. The creature a. embodied
in the opera IL humorous because of the
uansparency and persistence of his craft.
ne exuberant cowardice. the small bully
Ism and the facile self -abascment Of hiS
character. But there Is no sound argyll
nent in favor of making him more offensive
Than ridiculous. Mr.. Chaliapine elaborated
his conception Of the part with abunda Mt
LIN ~ ..stk" I..II.r ~ a.ay
and he sang the music respectfully just
that and no more.
Thus much consideration is accorded
Don BdSiiio because only he Of the major
pcrsonages had an interpreter new to this
iublic. Mma. Sembrich's ROsind Is an old
friend-alI except the costume. That was
new because the former one disappeared
in the San Francisco earthquake. The
popular soprano was altogether delightful
last night. Una vOce poca IA" her open
ing aria, lies low for her voice. but after
that she ia always admirable in song. while
in the expression Of the blithe and win
some spirit Of the role she leaves nothing
TO he desired. Her novelty in the lesson
scene last night was the aria BEL raggiO"
from Rossini's -~Semiramide." But Of course
"VoCe di Primavera" had to be the next
number.
MIR. Campanari made his first appearance
! mis- season as Figaro and repeated his old
' I-mpersOnatiOn with viyaciOus comedy.
though not always with capable voice.
MFR. Bonci as AlmdUiUG was in a field of song
In which he was quite at home. His col
Orature was not impeccable in his first
: number, but IL was excellent in the second
one. while throughout the opera his airy
grace of delivery and his knowledge Of the
correct style we're in evidence.
The orchestra treated the score with a
very considerable measure Of the lightness
due to IL, the overture in particular being
played with sparkle and precision. MIR.
Ferrari's accompaniments were not up to
his own high standard. MIR. COnried pro-
Vided a handsome new setting for the frs
scene.