New-York tribune., 1907-12-21
MUSIC.
OPERA UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

II is a small journalistic fancy that cannot
supply entertainment for the reader OF muslcai
doings in the opera houses nowadays. IL oushs
not TO be necessary to rewrite the story OF MI
Conried's deposition from the position when Is
his by right Of possession and power; or OF ne"
opera houses in Boston Philadelphia and string
of cities that have strained themselves for nan
century to support opera for day once "eeA
during the for a week or two after the
season In New York is over; or of German opera
at an opera house guiltless Of German singers OF
OF festival lyric theatres the Hudson. These
fine and elastic topics, but the preValng ePi-
demic of influenza is providing facts enough 10
keep the chronicler OF musical dolngs busy WIFI
out resorting to them. They might, therefore, us
well be laid aside till the coming of the dog days
when they will be more entertaining than they are
and quite significant.
There were changes Of operas at both houses last
night which had been announced on account OF the
Illness of singers: and at the Metropolitan there
was another change which had not been foreseen,
and therefore could not be announced Sisnor
Bonci tried to sing the role of Rudolfo IN Id
Boheme," but hoarseness interfered He walked
through the first act with such moral support as
he could extract from apology offered from the
stage in his behalf and then yielded his task to MI
Dippel. who finished it in a Whole hearted manner
that won for him the sympathy and applause OF the
audience Under the circumstances the representa-
ton went off spritedly. though it seemed with
little more energy than was essential in the or
chestral department. Wholly charming was MISS
Farrar as Mimi. There will also be change in
the opera tonight. Nine. Gadskis mother, who
has long been H. died In Berlin yesterday, and MISS
Alten will therefore assume the part of Senta
Archaic are most of the set arias in 'Rigo-
letto," there is a considerable vitality left. even
for latter day hearers. in what may be called the
music of the scene. the short passages descriptive
of dramatic movement and emotion, such as give
pith and power to the first interview between the
Jester and Sparafucile Episodes like this have no
doubt done their part toward keeping "Rigoletto"
Internationally popular, and it was in such mo-
ments of this work, as Mr. Campanini and the or
chestra set them forth last evening at the Man
haitian Opera House. that most enjoyment lay for
frequenters of Mr. Hammerstein's theatre. Thanks
conductor, the best is made of these old fash
toned scores-would that the singing actors con-
cerned in their presentation might attain the same
high level of interpretative skill
1t at short notice that Mr.. Harnmerstein's
forces gave 'Rigoletto'' this, its first hearing OF
the Manhattan's season Louise" being post
poned. last nights bill was arranged barely twenty
four hours before the audience gathered to see and
hear It. Under the circumstances credit must be
given for a good measure OF success. Mr.. Sam
does not yet personate the jester with the
commanding force of characterization to which he
may ultimately attain but his singing Of the music
is always intelligent and always instinct with
beauty. He in excellent voice last evening.
but this could not be said OF his colleague Mr..
Bassi. who sang the Dukes part with effort. Miss
Zeppilli was girsh Gilda, and her facility Of ex-
ecution in the upper register counted strongly IN
her favor. Mr.. Arnondi well fitted with the
bravo's duties. and Mr.. Gilbert gave artistic i'm
portance to the usually ineffective part of Mon
terone. A good audience was present-the Manhat-
tan Opera House has for some time past been a
place of social well musical consideration.