New-York tribune., 1908-12-18
MUSIC
PUcCINI's FIRST OPERA

wasted at the Metropolitan Opera House on the
production of lie Will" an opera composed some
twenty-four years ago by Giacomo Puccinf- HIS
tory tells us that the work written in hurry
for Of the competitions which the italian
music publishers who also generally managers
of opera houses. in the habit OF arranging
The most enjoyable fruit produced by these com
petitions is "Cavalleria Rusticana.'' which last
night was consorted the programme with the
opera which had failed in similar competition
some six years before Much ado was made over
lie vili' after had hrst performed. largely
through the kind offices Of PonchleH and Boito.
and purchased by the rival music shop Last
nights association made II pretty plain that II
the two works had been brought into competition
as some hasty writer's have thought they were
the Judges would have made no mistake IN award
ing the palm TO Mascasri's hot-blooded little
work not only on account OF its music. but also
on account Of its hook and It's general adaptabilty
for dramatic representation.
The subject of lie Vflli'' IS admirably cut
out for a pantomiric ballet but not al all for an
opera A drama might have been made Of II oy an
ingenious infusion OF contrfbutory incident; out
this was not done by Puccinfs hbretttst- Inc
legend which has its place in one form or anotner
in European folklore and folksong tells OF no"
betrothed and betrayed dau1sels who nave uleu
of a broken heart sometimes meet their recreant
lovers at midnight and indulge a propensity 70
dance which had been checked by their untlnnely
death by Turing them into Thirl WHICH col-
tinues until the vile deceivers give up the ghosI
One feature of the old tale, which last night
performance provided rather diverting comment
was that the ghostIy dancers always appeared In
their betrothaI garments when engaged N uel-
revengeful revels. II the young women OF I-7
Black Forest, which Is supposed to oe the Sens
of F1orfnf's opera were IN the habit Of marrying
in such garb as the women of the ballet wore IaSI
night il is fair assumption that the constaouia[y
of the country were less mindful OF puonc Inora-S
than the police who have recently maze Couo's
for no dancers Of the Circle Theatre in our town
But when extra prices demanded OF tne
patrons OF the Metropolitan Opera House something
out Of the ordinary ought 20 be expected II mas
been stated. however. that II was not because OF
Il VflIi alone that the cost of admission was ad-
yanced last night but because Signor Bonci sang
in one opera and Signor Caruso in the otner Slsnor
Anlato sang in both and while Miss Aida was '1e
only woman singer in lie VIII" there were MISS
Destinn. Miss Maria Gay and Miss Mattreio N
''Cavaueria Rusticana."
Signor Puccini has reached a distinction
which none Of his contemporaries has attained III
New York There is only one Of his operas that
has not been heard-the second, Edgar" which
died early, and no one has thought OF resurrecting
There historical reasons aside from the present
extra ordinary popularity Of the composer, which
lend special interest TO all that Signor Puccini
has done He is OF the fifth generation Of his name
who has won place in musical history Not only
the son. the father. grandfather, great grand
father and great-great- grandfather are known 10
the musical annals OF Italy.
At the theatrical exhibition held in Vienna IN
1892 there were performances Of compositions by
all the Puccinis from Giacono the first Of the
10 make mark, down to the present Czia-
como. The former was born in I712 the latter in
1858. It is a right noble succession, and though
lie Will" is so much inferior to the other works
Of the present Puccini that could wish IT had
never been permitted interfere with appreciation
of "Nanon Lescaut' and the operas which fol-
lowed. IT would be wrong say that it is not fun
of evidences of the genius which to be dis
closed later Perhaps the finest proof that II offers
OF his innate capacity for truthful dramatic ex-
preston found in the circumstance that its most
effective music is that composed for the ghostly
dance. 1t is plain that the composer saw the
wofui defect of the book and appreciated fully
the qualities which perfectly adapt the subject
for ballet d'action that it put TO that use
by Adolphe Adam than sixty years The
opera has effective tenor song and one for
barytone which would have been twice as effective
II last night had Signor Amato sung 1t
under other circumstances Signor Bonct was
strangely unimpressive, probably because there
nothing in the music disclose the individual
charm OF his voice and style There vas as little
in the music assigned to Miss Aida, though she
sang what was set down for her with much
greater devotion and effort at sincerity
Somebody has said recently referring 10 the
popular way OF showing approval or dtsapprovaI
of theatrical and operate productions. that the
New York way IS better" New York's way was
demonstrated again last night in the warmth OF
the welcome which II gave Miss Emmy Des-
tim after the scene with Alto IN the seasons
first production OF "Cavalieria RustieaHa- once
more the Bohemian soprano proved what me
ACQUISITION she is 10 the forces of the MetrOpot-
tan Opera House Mr. Caruso was TUrfddu, using
his voice to the delight Of audience that waited
even after his departure from the scene 70 settle
his dispute with AIhO The latter was the ne"
barv-one Mr Arnato. and a competent as
sis+ant 20 the principals Miss Gay added no new
note TO the Interpretation OF the unfatthfu wiIe
and Miss NattfeId's Mamma Lucia was unlTnpres-
zfz,e Mr. Toscanint conducted excellent per
s,-.,ca which had the benefit OF entirely new
scenery and new costumes from the purveyors TO
La Scala