New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-28
MUSIC
as JoNeLEuR DE NorRg DAME

-,7,-so- s,d the arts as they were prsctised by
-. French PrtTnitives provide unsccustomed
,s---o,1n6 for modern opera. but Mas
s,sf vas not content with this much % limo
-, zhen he wrote lie Joagleur de Notre
-1-,s which had its Hrst performance in Anleri-
: LIST evening AT the Manhattan Opera House
7,+o this novel setting the composer projected =
-, ~ characters every one Of whom was mas
.-I5re thus eliminating what has been from the
beginning the basic motive Of vital drama sung
- spoken. rsrnely. the love Of man for woman
Almost inevitably. the story upon which Massenet
founded this opera grew out of a legend; one
-ould no more expect to invent, nowadays, So
,1ssfur and Iovable tale than TO originate ?
-Fsnsei and GreteI' fable any other genuine
--oSucr q ripe folk lore The old tradition OF
the monk who had been 3 juggier and now. by
performing his songs and dances in secret before
fr= altar. sought 70 honor the Virgin in the Only
way Re knew. vas put into shape as the oook OF
EFssssnet's opera by Maurice Lena, and, as has
already been told in this newspaper. 1t comprises
sh-ee acts. eliminating the death and beathca-
-f0a q the simple minded conjurer-
~ the poetic charm Of the legend such there
can BE- Only s warm appreciation. and so refreshing
y II 70 encounter new opera whose theme in no
wise concerns illicit affections that the absence Of
dramatic motive in IL Jongsur de Notre
Dame may be overlooked al least while the work
wears the glamour OF novelty here The author ana
ruposar sought 70 divert attention from this run
dsnentaI lack by dwelling upon the subtle change
wrought in Jean. the juggle-. hy learning lessons
n humility. They have contrasted the CAV care
lezsness Of TIE wandering youth with the sincere
aspiration % hs antics before the Virgin. ana ths
effectiveness Of the device is often considerable
AfIsicafly Hsssenet has altered and probably I'M
proved his original score by rewriting for soprano
ths jugglsr's part. first assigned 10 a tenor
Miss Mary Garden was the moving cause OF talS
change. and she personated Jean last evening This
6eT1ce added variety the music. which Is on the
whole mora ingenious than inspired, and on first
bearing gives the impression OF exaggerated
e-ec-cisTl. ranging from modern French TO the
-l6 ecclesiastical style with transitions somewhat
-oo sudden OF broodiug ard appropriate quality
* -ha short prelude 10 Act 5. while the outoUrst
7hs- marks the miraculous intervention Of the
Virgin IS honnbasric and theatrical.
But fo- the present Massenets score need not be
dsc1ssed IN detail The record Of last nights do
frzs mus nor fail TO give Miss Garden credit for
rs- tnsusri-iuE management Of the crucial scene be
fo-e The altar. with its singing and dancing. In
t. carrier episodes she was less absorbed in the
r4=-s.ter As c1e monk Ecniface NJ. Remand Of
se-e5 n admirably conceived and executed i'm
-,a-so-s-s7- while Il. Dufranne and Senior de Sc
s--77s we're also q major importance The chorus
cf e- covered itself with glory, and the orchestra,
under SlEro- -e-paninf, vas IN energetic YET
sers--7vs instrument large audience gave signs
r. interest and enjoyment