New-York tribune., 1908-03-29

name was more intimately associated IN popular
report that 1t could be said without qualification
that French opera had won its battle, Even now.
me way was not wholly clear and open, for the
successful operas We're too few and their repeti-
ton caused some grumbng
AT this critical moment the star of Lusa Tetraz-
zii rose in London and threw its glare all the
operate world. Mr. Conried had engaged the
singer while she in California but had failed
TO bind the contract by depositng a guarantee with
her banker. He failed IL is said. because when he
wanted to complete the negotiations he could not
find her Mr.. Hammerstein also negotiated with
her for the OF 1906 '07. he said but she
proved elusive. Neither of the managers felt any
loss at his failure her The London
citernent may have Mr.. Conried thinking;
Mr. Hammerstein II stirred TO action. On Decem
Der he announced that he had engaged her for
the season of als-0s and hoped to have her for
few performances before the end Of the of
1so7-os. a fortnight later he proclaimed that she
would effect her New York entrance on January Is
and that he had secured her for fifteen representa-
tons in the current season. with the privilege OF
adding 10 their number Mr.. Conried threatened
proceedings by injunction. but his threats
brufnn fuinen: she made her debut on the specified
date in La Traviata.'' and when the closed
last night she had added performances zone
in Philadelphia the fifteen originally contem-
plated Here she sang five times in Traviata."
eight times in Lucia in "Dinorah." three
times in 'Rigoletto" three times in "Crispino la
Comare and once in mixed bill She was
rapturously acclaimed b. the public and portion
of the press. X is useless to discuss the phenome
non The whms OF the populace unques-
tioning and as unrespcnsive the fury of the ele
ments. That seen in the Tetrazzini craze here
and IN London; il seen again in the reception
given to that mUscally and dramatically amorphous
thing. 'Pelleas ct Melisande." This COM
pletely bewildering the admirers of the melo-
drama to those who blind and deaf to Its
attractions 1t should have been so, for II is
more difficult TO affect TO enjoy "Pel!eas ct Nell
sande' than to yield 10 the qualities which dazzle
in the .nging of Tetrazzni. Nevertheless. Pelleas
ct Melisande.' brought forward February l9.
had performances within five weeks The
success OF Louise expected and is easily
accounted for: that OF "Peeas et Melsande' will
remain mystery all who do not believe that IL
demonstrates. Mr.. Hammersteln said II did on
the night OF its first production that the people OF
New York (meaning the patrons Of his opera house,
the most cultivated people in the world.
The has not been without its humorous
incidents The quarrel Of Messrs- Conrfed and
Hamnerstetn over NM Dalmores and Gilbert, who
were enticed away from their old allegiance by Mr.,
Conried but would stay bought, is one OF these;
another the circular letter out by Mr.. Ham
mersteia December q scolding his subscribers
because the public were not coming up 10 his help
against the mighty. Was it the scoding or the
coming OF Louise. TetrazZini and Pelleas ct Nell
sande' which wrought the change? II. z. Il.