The evening world., 1909-02-20
Lovely Melodies, Beauh-
M Singing and SPIRIT
ed Dancing Combine 10
Make The Bohemian
Opera a Success.
BY SYLVESTER RA WI ING,

A 7 no time this winter-not even
"A during the several splendid per
1 formances Of Mozart's The Mar
riage OF Figaro'-has the Metropolitan
Opera House heard such laughter or
rung with such applause as the first
performance In America OF Smetana's
"The Battered Bride" C'Prodana Ne
vestaD evoked last night. Tho house
was crowded. In the galleries and
standing behind the rail were Bohe-
m!ans bent upon accla!mng the work
Of their countryman with which they
were familiar In their native land. Be
tween the acts they showered upon the
leading singers floral offerings and
wreaths that made the night . gala one,
But In the stalls and IN the boxes, too,
enjoyment was a. universal. It was
really . very happy evening for sysry-
body, and the production reflected credit
upon all concerned In H.
opera comique' Yes Comic opera,
II you like. It was very near that at
least. But the score Is full Of melody
built upon folk songs. tho solos and
concerted pieces are enhancing, the
chorus sang as II each member enjoyed
his part, the ballet was graceful and
most alluring. the stage setting and
Management were admirable, and the
overture played between the first and
second acts) not only appealed to
Czecis but was calculated to make the
toes Of any Corkonian or KerrymaH
Itch to get into action.
What the Story 10.
Tho story doesn't matter much, but
It's heroine was Marie. daughter Of a
r!oh peasant. Kruschina, betrcthed to
Wenzsl, son Of another rioh peasant,
Micha, OF an adjoining village, by the
agency d a marriage broker, Keral,
Tho girl loved Hans, known rs one OF
her fathers servants. Tho latter took
money from the broker to resign his
pretensions In favor Of Micha's son,
being himself Micha's son by a,tormer
marriage, After the usual complica-
lions that betall stage lovers the pair
received the parental blessings Of both
families, and the last curtain fell upon
the rejo!cings Of tho populace lin mum.
bers sufficient to occupy several villases)
over the happy event.
Emmy Destinn added one more picture
to the artistic gallery she 10 showing
us In this. her first season. by her fine
singing and acting inpersonation Of
Marie. Carl Joern made an attractive
Hans, the lover all sure Of himself and
OF his girl. Reiss was a capital Wen
EEL giving rust the right. comedy touch
to It. singing a suffering song to per-
lection. and acting the bear In the cir
Gus troupe well Didur may De par
doned for possibly a little overacting OF
Kezal, Tho temptation was great His
Interpretation was fetching. and he
sang the part excellently. Isabelle
L'Huillier. as Esmeralda, tho dancer In
the circus troupe who captured the
heart OF Wanzel. was attractive. Blass,
as Kruschina, and Marie Mattfeld as
his wife; Muhlmann as Micha, and Hen
rietta Wakefield az his wife, and Julius
Bayer - Springer. tho director OF the
circus, were all capable.
Dances Most Attractive.
The dances were splendidly performed,
and the choruses were sung Justify and
with understanding. The opening one
of the second act especially was stirring.
It was q treat to note the ease and
grace and suppleness Of the ballet, dis
guised as villagers. dancing to the In
toI,cating strains OF Smetana and his
adaptations Of tho folksongs.
over all Gustav Mailer presided with
absolute masterfulness Of the smallest
detail and Of tho biggest ensemble,
Frequent repetitions Of the work
would seem to be assured.