New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-11-26
NJ USIC,
THE OPERAS OF A THANKS
GIVING DAY.
"Parsifal" and IN Barbiere.

-
what was done in the places set apart for
music does; and II that there was greater
supply than demand With a few inter
walls for rest and refreshment. there were
fourteen hours of opera in New York yes
terday and couple Of hours Of symphonic
music to comfort those Who have not yet
learned 20 believe that all musical lowell
less Is summed up in the mixed art-form
called the opera. There was "Parsifal' at
the Metropolitan Opera House from 1916
O'Clock TIL s. III BsrbieTe" from o'clock
TIL OF Whereabouts at The New Theatre:
III Trovatore" from till somewhere near
The hour when the clock said that Thurs
DAY had passed into Friday. at the house
which had been like n house Of worship
all afternoon. and Carmen" at the insti-
tuition in West saith street. which,
as rule. invites anything but religious
contemplation Also. at Carnegie Hall.
there was for nearly two hours in the
evening an artistic service of pure music.
the ministers Of which were Mr.. Mailer.
the Philharmonic Society and Nine.
Teresa CaTreho. Shall all Of these things
have detailed and critical consideration?
\ proper feeling OF thankiulness that the
day is past and gone and of consideration
for those who found Il possible To enjoy
only a portion ~ the feast forbiis. 4
record II the days doinss ought to suf-
fee, but there were some thinss which
inyite comment. even If they did not COM
mand it.
Foremost Of these was the representation
Of "Parsifal" At the Metropolitan Opera
House. a representation which stood the
holder in relief because of the demonstra-
ton which it made that. in spite Of tic
madness which has taken possession Of our
operate purveyors. there still lives "A true
end beautiful artistic spirit among some of
the artists. All things considered. it l.
doubtful if New York ever heard and saw
better representation Of Wagner's impress
siN" drama-or Rayreuth either. Mr. Hertz
Lac evidently subjected the work 10 new
study in every one of its departments. and
though there were the familiar pictures on
the stage and many familiar faces amons
tho performers, there WAS newness AMI
freshness and sincerity about tho perform
sEce which banished all thought Of the
spirit of perfunctoriness which close oh
servers were compelled TO notice soon after
thc drama ceased 10 he novelty. Chorus
ana orchestra offered tho most striking
proofs Of the artistic regenora ticu but the
evidences did not stop there There was
an extraordinary charm in tho music Of tho
Flower Maidens twho have always been
a delight 10 the eye AT the Metropolitan).
vhich Was largely due 10 the participa ton
OF such fine singers and excellent artists a.
Miss Spar<cs, Miss Foruia, Miss Alien and
their nearest companions
Nine. Fremstads too, whose impersona-
ton Of kundry has always commanded
praise, Joined Mr.. Hertz i'm preserving a
confluence Of tone which benefited the
purely musical side of tire performance.
And TO the familiar figures and voices Of
Mr. WitheTspoon, Mr.. Goritz. Mr.. Blass and
MIR Rurrian, always admirable, there were
added those Of a newcomer. MIR. Clar-
cnce Whitehill. like Mr.. Blass. an Ameri-
can, but. also like Mr.. Blass. entitled TO
special praise because he proved himself
Ia be an artist who asked no consideration
on that account \ fine voice is Mr.. White
hills. and back Of it there is fine musical
taste and intelligence. unmarried by af-
fectation OF any sort and free from the
vices which arc as objectionable I'm an
American as in a singer Of any other ma
tiOnality. lie is a real and a welcome ac-
QUESTION 10 the forces az the Metropolitan
Opera House Worthy OF mention again.
as on previous holiday representations OF
Wagner's beautiful and highly impressive
drama, vas the spirit Of the listeners. a
u AliNN 'nAl tlila ut It@tfliFN rs nun
estly and completely devotional
Tie scene or "Parsifal'' is laid on the
I border line between France and Spain, and
its architectural features are those i'm
pressed upon tho latter country by the
Moors. The fact served to emphasize the
coincidence that iu exteruals, at least
Spanish color prevailed in all Of the operas
which cnlivcued an otherwise gloomy holt
Vordrs singular medley Of burnt babies
and dance rhythms Bzcts delghtfui
pararhrase OF Merimses novel-au are
Spanish i'm subject. Others must tell OF tho
pleasures provided 10y the performances iu
the evening Al tho metropolitan and Man
/ haitian opera houses; here note. aud a
note merely. on the representation Of III
Rarbiore al S,viglia" at The New Theatre
ia tho afternoon.
The opora has been better sung and bet
1 ter acted many times i'm the older theatres
( OF tire city 50 far as tho principal charac-
/ ter is concerned ,Rosins. Of course. not
him who gives his name to the playD. but
its infectious hUmor has seldom been car
/ rled mole directly and compcIlinsy 10 tire
+ appreciation Of an audience than IL was
yesterday. To this result tho fine play
house contribIted much. although il must
Z he said that there is stu "A want Of under
/ standing on the part Of the performers
/ concerning the acoustical properties Of the
room. which stood in the way OF a perfect
/ balance between singers and Instrumental
: lists Nety cften the orchestra over
whelmod the singers. always. in fact. when
] signor Podesti. who conducted. vcntuIcd &c
! give fun effectiveness 60 Ro>sinrs favor.
/ i've device Of cresCendo. But to all, except
/ possibly. those who sat in the distant seats
I ga the topmost balcsny. the comedy came
! with a refreshing effect OF intimacy. Their,
! we're. moreover. al least three admirabi,
( comedians in the play, and no significant
! character but had respectable representa-
ton. First IN order Of merit as an actor
. was the rep~e sentative Of Basilio-SehOi
4 de Se-ur3la. of who's merits MI Hammer
/ STEMS audiences were Permitted to Ec
! more than a glimpse last season. lie wa:
. ,loubIy delightful yesterday because he iii,
+ much TO enace the unpleasant impression.
left les the vulgar performance at the Met
/ ropolitan of the Russian Chalispine Nj
/ Ropci sang cNquistely and acted witt
I grace and spirit - Almaviva. and Ar
I Campanari showed his appreciate Of goo,
companionship by repeating a performance,
+ of lie Rarbei which has always won an,
f deserved compliments of the highest sort
II is anything but pleasure to toe com
,,elled to say that Miss OF Madame Lip
kowska show "a less merit as ROsina tina.
as Nioletta when she sang m Nerdis opera
AZ the Metropolitan. She presented al
agreeable picture To the eye. bat she wa