New-York tribune., 1909-01-17
YESTERDAYS OPERAS
FOZ4RT AND VERDI.
T7co FORKS, 9th a Century Be
tzCeen Them. Please.


houses there figured the TWO major events
repetition Of lie Nozze di Figaro" at the Metro
polttan matinee and Of "otello' At the Manhattan
in the evening There happens be just about
eenturys difference in the Of these two master
works. and Mozarts Figaro is m raCt the old
est opera that has ever found place on the Met
ropolltans lists, save only Gluck's 'Orfeo.' which
dates from 1774. while LIE Nozze di Figaro" first
saw the light in 17s6. Sung and acted as II was
yesterday. and with the help OF the closest pos
sible cooperation between stage and orchestra.
this Mozart work again gave the Impression. II
had done when II revived last Wednesday
night Of being not old opera but a young
young in its outglying of freshness and vitality,
in ITS prodigal fow"of inspired melody. and in its
sparkling and delightful comedy.
Enjoying an opera for its historical Importance is
one thing. but lie Nozze' under the extraordinary
conditions prevailing this revival may he lis
tened 10 without thought of when or where or by
whom II composed. If the hearer he 50 minded
and Yet # viii confer the utmost enjoyment Such IS
its adjustment Of musical values that the current
Of orchestral tone instead running thin shall
low. often AT previous Mozart performances
pulses with energy and fulness that has its
latter day counterpart in the generous flow Of the
second act music Of Die Meistersnger." The
haTpSiCh0rl. this Elorifed rendering resumed its
original and expressive function. Instead Of sup
plying merely succession of points upon which
the voices can alight, the struck chords acquired
meaning OF their own. and their impact attained
more than once yesterday fine and telling sig
nIfcance
NOT only to Mr. Mailer. who conducted. and
the members Of the memorable cast Of singers.
Mines Sembri-h ana Games Miss Farrar, Mr.
Scott. NTr Ddur and the rest, but 70 Nfr Andreas
Dippel. who bore the responsibility ;or the produc-
ton a whole. is due the warmest gratitude Of
the public. Judging by Yesterdays audience. which
was as large the great house could legally hold.
and whose enthusiasm both constant and sin
Cere, 'Ftsaro's Wedding" may make record for
popular appreciation well as FOR artistic excel
lence
"Oteuo." NJ the Manhattan last evening. had
Desdemona IN the person of Miss Lahia Other
wise the cast was that which has helped to mako
tIts restoration of Verdis opera 20 active service
one Of Mr.. Hammersten's best achievements Mr..
Ionatollos peanE and vibrant tones were matched
hy his fervent representation of the Moor. while
NIr Sanmarco showed more interpretative power
than before IaGo. and his singing ad-
mirahle eytr Mr.. Campanini was the conductor
ono" more. and his share Of the performance was
compelling.
Miss Labia was Desdemona appropriate 10 the
eye and her graceful and winning conception Of the
role WAS cornne05ahle. Although she was officially
declared 70 he suffering from tniispostion and
In the Of physician shA sang with consid-
cradle beauty tone and with nice feeling for
the phrase Hers is not conn anding voice. hut
q uttered aere4sIIv the words # DosdemOna A
large audience heard and enjoyed tho performances
NIac Te,razzinf in her familiar iupcrsonation Of
Vloerta. La Traviata' was. II course. potent
attraction for - large audience at th" Manhattan
yesterday afternoon The Coloratura soTrau"
showed come or tho weaknesses or her voice at
thoir worst but TO her admirers, who showed hy
their applause that they were well represented,
these, shortcomings Uer. overlooked and seemingly
moro than compensated for ny her facility I'm her
flscIfu with her higher notes Mr. TacCani seemed
- ho affected by ths weather. A. least he was
not an oyer-ard~nt lover. nor was his singing i'm
rrcy-i,,. Nj Saumarro acted the part Of the
elder Garmort with customary dignity. and sang
the music beautifully. Miss Koelling was Flora
Berroiy Nj Campanini conducted.
In the evening. A. the Metropolitan Mines Kas-
chowska and Homer and Messrs. Martin and Amato
had the chief parts in II Trovat"r"" Il was
Nine. Kaschowska's flrSt appearance this season as
Ieouora. but the Characterization was not dis
tlucul-hod At times IN" sopranos voice seemed
unusually faint and inaudiN'@ Perhaps tAe lack
inL stimulus ~ a larg. aIdeuo" affected tn" sing
,r Mr Martin also seemed 20 De- I'm difficulties IN
the frs. act. bat improved wonderfully with IN"
performance. Nine. Homer seemed 70 have recov-
cred from her recent attack of IarynEis and aided
by her fine singing in giving NE 10 performan0"
that threatened drag al too frequently Mr
Arrato'e impcrsonation Of II Coure di Luna was up
20 his s,audard-a good one-and especially cred
table in view his singing parts in tn" two operas
Of the night h@fore Mr. Spetrino conducted.