New-York tribune., 1908-11-24

orchestra though Mr.. DAIbert has preferred 10
serve full instrumental tone IN imitation Of Wag-
(as he does IL the best OF his declamsory sing
ing) rather than to rely sharply contrasting tnts.
as Puccini does. The pictures only two but they
present the vivid contrast which plays important
an ethical part in the play has been suggested,
in their broad outlines and variety OF effect IS lent
them by appropriate illumination the play moves
on from star-it hour before sun-up through
day, night and eding morning All these
opportunities have been embraced by the Metropoli
tan management, represented in this instance by
Mr Dippel, who is to be credited (as he Will be
held answerahe this seasonl for the bulk Of the
doings Of the German department-he and his CO.
adjUtors Mr. Hertz who conducted last nights
performance. and Mr.. Mahier. II it possible
10 have the larger works of the German repertory
treated with much consideration as this novelty
has received, there would be much TO look forward
TO with pleasant expectation. The acting and sing
ing too, were as admirable the scenic furniture
Miss Destinns merits presented themselves nTnl-
nously II the representation OF Aida on the open
ing night: ner iulpersonaton Of the heroine in
this production invited still more admiration, or
at least admiration for a different element IN her
artistic equipment II was her dramatic oeciana-
ton which compelled delight last night'-an ar1
tic quality which she could not have disclosed IN
the measure she did had there Tot been back OF II
the fine command Of the art Of singing which she
had exeu uplfhed in the more melodious measures
OF Aida" In pose gesture, facial expression anu
poignancy OF urterauce she recalled memories U
Du6e in the original form OF CaVallerla fNusLC1iio
and Calve years ago in It's operate version
Praise can scarcely go further than this Herr
schmedes will probably long remember with regret
that he was compelled TO effect his entrance on
the American stage in 'Die waIkure" when ne
had in his repertory a character so perfectly cu'
TO mis- physical and artistic figure as Pedro III Il4s
opera The defects in his vocalzation were ho'
obIteratec but little Of sustained n1usl-
cal uttersnce IN the speech-song (as the Germans
call il which D'Albert employs, so much less N
deed than Wagner calls for, that the defects cou"
be more easily overlooked, and It was possloie u
find atonenlAnt for them In his spendidy Ylrle act
ing which appealed TO the sympathles or the auol-
euce quite as much its way as the combined
gtug and acting Of FrAulein Destnn- Herr Feln-
halls was again al exemplsr Of both musical and
histr1onic propriety and excellence and there was
SO much less OF the vocal defect Of Mr.. HlnckleF
noticeable than on his first appearance that his
offering could be accepted with gratitude. Ihe
good principles of the modern art OF operate rep
resentation were Illustrated by all the minor per
sons in the play-Mr. Goritz in the first instance
Miss Fornia Miss Mattfeld, Miss Randa, Mr Reiss'
and again with nice emphasis by Miss LHuiher.
The attitude Of the audience undemonstTatve
and left the local attitude toward the new work IN
doubt Il T. h