New-York tribune., 1907-11-29
"MEFISToFEIE" AT THE METROPOLITAN.

There a repetition of Boito's ''Mehstofele''
at the Metropolitan Opera House last night by all
the artists who were concerned in its production
last week The performance was excellent in every
feature but received with singular apathy by
an audience neither numerous brilliant in
appearance as that OF any OF the other subscrip-
ton nights. The circumstance scarcely calls for
comment; rule holidays not brilliant af-
fairs at the Metropolitan. The notable features
OF the performance the singing of Miss Far
rar and the acting of NJ. Chaliapine. the former
worthy OF all praise. the latter the occasion OF
honest wonder because of It's variety Elasticity.
lmaginativeness and power. and regret because OF
It's unnecessary vulgarity in the Brocken scene.
The present effort to popularize Boito's "Mefs-
tofele is the most extraordinary in the history of
opera. In IL paradox has certainly gone mad. Not
the prima donna but the basso is counted TO
make hit. and he not so much by his singing
and acting as by a disrobing act. Who would
ever have dreamed that That's and 'Mefstofee''
had this common meeting ground and that it would
be contested In New York BY a lady from Scotland
and a gentleman from Russia? quarter of a
tury ago were listening to "MehstofeIe' for
the sake of its effort TO interpret Goethe and the
opportunity which 1t gave to Nine. Nilsson to
look like Greek goddess and sing like a seraph.
An old record happens to come to hand which has
contempoTaneous interest. 1t is The Tribunes e.
view of the representation OF the opera at the Net
ropolitan Opera House December s, 1SS3 when,
as few music patrons will be likely to remember
Cleofonte Campanni. the guiding spirit artis-
ticaly OF Mr.. Hammersten's venture, conducted a
few performances at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Read then:
Nine, Nilsson IS even more closely identified
Tnants with soitSs Gretchen than with Gounods Mar
ideal Helen OF Troy. and II she, We believe,
VINO started the questionable practice of hav-
@ ing One per1ornler impersonate both Gretchen
r ana Helen Boito has left so little OF Goethes
village maiden that It does make much diff
aR eG% dhd hd at at Is IS td II the
character. ia
that is cut to the very form OF Nine Nilsson
regal IN beauty and carriage. soul-moving IN
voice. VOL serene IN pose and gesture She fits into
{ure, up in his fancy of ''the shore Of Pineus
Pindus. Clear streams and thickets Of laurel
and oleander; the moon at its zenith to the left
flowers; She moved through this part OF the
opera last night like veritable Hellenic queen
perfect woman Of the classic type ali were
hers. In her performance. as in that Of Cam
panini' there were evidences Of unusual interest
ana a hrm determination to make IL a success
SO far success at their command they
had ii. All their scenes went with warm fervOr
and deep passion, and where there were short
vi which having high goal 10 reach. fell shorter
OF II than usual. Ineficiency in the choral de-
partment was really the only cause OF disap-
which. while 1t has no place in opera at ali Is
neTertheless the most original and striking part
OF Slgnor Boitos creation. Signor Campanni was
fore, but fired with q greater degree OF enthusf-
asrn than ever Not only was he singing the ope-0
which he was chiefly instrumental in gfvins 70
singing II under the direction OF a brother in
whom he has a proud and anectionate Interest
This brother acquitted himself with marked
and holding all the factors In absolute command
II. E X.