New-York tribune., 1908-12-17
TALES OF HOFFM4NN." !"
OfeHbach's Opera at Manhattan
First Time This Year.

II to opersgoers there is anything in a name
and the operate history Of New York might at
times give reasons bic basis for such conclusion
the cognomen Hoffman,. as presented in the
bill at Mr. Hammersteu's opera house last night
and as the starting Of an evening of enter
tainuent. should lead apparently intelligent au-
dence TO an intelligent discovery of the story which
Jules offenb bach took for the basis Of his opera.
OF themselves Mr. Hammersten's outlines of the
story OF the operas he presents are a rule suf-
fcient- But TO the great public. which must take
its opera ''on the fly in gulps the outline Of
the story or the why the name Hoffman,
should be selected in preference TO another is but
too tndfstinctIy impressed
German French audience perhaps might
be alert TO the mention OF Hoffman, but what sig
nihes the appeIlation Young Hoffman, the poet -
TO the New York audience. that distinction
in the name. and, therefore. cannot follow in fe-
lovship such sympathetic picture Of the German
romancer and poet as Mr.. Charles Dalmores gave
last night though 1t be compelled TO give its trib
ute for his fine singing and acting?
Who was Hoffman, and why his Interpretation
as presented by Mr.. Dalmores last night? Or
where the basis of MI Renaud's sinister but com
pelling personiications of DR.. Coppelus. Dapper-
tutto and Dr. Miracle? Mr.. Hammerstein should
add historical to his story Of the opera
that would mean much in interest TO those who
we're charmed last night. despite the need Of an
addition, by performance of one of the works
which has aided largely in placing his reputa-
ton as an impresario secure foundation
that which Il now rests
It was the first production this year of Often
bachs opera at the Manhattan last night. The
Tales are unusuaI-even uncanny. with all their
suggestion of the supernatural tie predestined
and the inevitsbIe-but the production Of this fas-
cinating fabric of imagery is the greater triumph
for Mr.. Ham nerstein. irasmuch as IL loses moth
ing because the male characters are all the way
through the four acts predominant Once before
this season Mr. HarImerstefn has shown that an
opera in which the love between man and woman
is not basic attract only interest but sym
pathy The Tales Of Hoffman, engage woman
singers, II Is true. but in a fanciful way. which
leaves their position subordinste-but part Of the
been said previously.
To every one Of Mr. Har1merstein's ad-
mirably useful band Of men singers was in the
role which he created so TO speak. in the first
production Of Ofenbach's work at the Manhattan
year ago last November II is no wonder. then.
that the enthusiastic house proclaimed them to
end.
Among the women there were four interpre-
ters Mile ZeppH being the only Of the original
quintet Of last year. Eleren representations last
season Of Olympia" the mechanical doll. have
helped TO q steadiness in the role. Giulietta,
Nile Espinasse. If not displaying greater vocal
ability than her predecessor in the role. showed
improvement in a faCile interpretation Of the
frvolitv. carelessness-if not thoughtlessness-of
the part There were moments frequent enough
when from the voice Of Nine Doria- in the part OF
Horn1ann's cllum, more might have been expected
As Antonia Mile Trentini was adequate and in the
small part allotted her Nine Mariska-Aldrich
gave indications OF The fine quality Of voice she
possesses
Mr. Marcel CharIier conducted worthily
ceuent performance. The playing by the orchestra
IN the well known BarcaroIIe commanded. as II de-
served the attention of the large audience