The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-23
"RIGOEETTO" AT METROPOLITAN.
Mr. BOncI and Mime. SembrIch Give an EN-
Inhibition OH Good singing.

hIbItIOn OH Good singing.
"RiRolettO" was sung last night at the
Metropolitan Opera House and Mr.. Bone
made his first appearance there, singing
the Duke. This Incident was made the
occasion Of a vociferous demonstration
on the part of a few enthusiasts, whose
earnest and misguided efforts to prevent
others from hearing all the music were
checked by some audible misses. II the
excellent persons who wish to shout in
order TO express their approval would
~acuuaint themselves with the scores Of the
operas 40 that they might do their shouting
at places convenient for the singers and
the rest of the audience instead of inter
rupting the progress Of the performances
they might perhaps induce others to join
in their applause.
Mr.. Bonci was warmly welcomed by the
subscribers and box holders. and in his
first phrases ne answered beautifully the
question often raised az TO how his voice
would sound in the large auditorium. His
tones were quite sufficient. Their light
quality was Of course III evidence. but the
art OF the singer who knows how TO focus
his voice and how to sustain II with a steady
column of air made every note float through
all the spaces Of the house. Added to this
was the substantial aid of Mr.. BonCi's ex-
uuisite dictiOn, which makes every vowel
a tone factor and every ~consonant a perfect
link i'm an unbToken iegatO.
This tenor in an artist of suCn refinement
and skill that il must always be a delight to
hear him, but the delight Is doubled when
he is in the company Of such a soprano AS
Mime. SembriCh. Their duet in the second
act was one Of the most finished and per-
fectly balanced pieces Of singing that has
ever been heard in the Metropolitan Opera
House. Every phrase was perfectly made.
Every nuance showed a lovely mutual
understanding.
Nine. SembTich was in the best of voice.
Her very first tones had a freshness. a
crystalline clearness and a buoyancy m
times absent from her opening measures.
The posing of her tones was impeccable.
and the result was tina without apparent
effort she floated an airy stream OF melody
years sung -Caro Nome better and seldom
so well. There was plenty OF real enthu-
siasm after the second act and an astOnlsh-
ing parade Of flowers.
Mr.. Fsrrari. the new Italian conductor.
commanded appreciation by his judicious
treatment of the acCompaniments which
comprise the major part OF the score OF
~RigolettO." He supported the singers
with a most p~raiseworthy degree OF re-
straint in the quantity OF tone. yet with
tirmness and precision. In reducing the
delivery of some OF the chOruses from its
former state Of boisterousness he added
still further 20 the general merit Of the
performance. With his Aida" and -Rigo-
ietto" Mr.. Ferrari has gone far toward
establishing his right TO confidence.
Mr.. StracciaTi, who was m o those
present last season, was the RiOOkstto. The
best that can be said for his ~impersonation
IL that IL is honest and well meaning. Doubt
less the voice of the unhappy Jester frs-
quently shook with emotion. but IL is not
IikeIy that it wabbled all the time. z Mr..
Journet was the SpdrdjuciIe and Mime.
Jacoby the Mddddiend.