New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-13

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First Gncme ................ Herbert Witherspoon
Conductor, Alfred Hertz.
AS may be observed the cast is entirely
of native American singers, while Mr..
Hertz, although of foreign birth, has been
so many years a conductor at the Metro
Politan Opera House that he considers him
self an American. Incidental dances of
sylphs, gnomes and salamanders will be
introduced by the corps de ballet.
Perhaps a short account of the story of
the opera will prove of interest The story
! is a fanciful one of Elhand, and the char
acters have no names, save twO--Naoia and
Iolan. The latter has been IN the noun
tains seeking his fortune. and is on his way
back 10 the valley to claim his bride. He
sings joyfully over his success. and the
elves join him in the song. This angers
The Old One, who is presiding over their
labors, and he tells them that singing is
forbidden. They reply that 1t is the first
Gay of spring and on that day they may
do as they like
lolan asks all his new friends 10 his we'd
ding. and also asks why The Old One is so
silent and also TO who The Old One Is.
He is told that The Old One is the King OF
the Elves, and that the Pipe of Desire,
pended from his neck. is the sceptre of the
world. Iolan is much amused at this and
declares that the only use for such a pipe
is TO dance to. and the elves compel The
Old One TO play upon it, which they may do
on the first day of spring.
As they dance Iolan laughs at them and
says that the Pipe of Desire cannot make
any one dance who does not wish TO DO so.
but they reply that even he cannot help
dancing. Soon he finds himself dancing in
spite Of himself. and he angrily snatches
the pipe away from The Old one. TO the
horror Of the elves. He tries TO play upon
ii himself, cannot al first, but finally sue
ceeds. Re is implored to stop playing upon
IL, but he persists in doing until ii sud
denly ceases 10 respond. But while playing
upon ii he has seen happy vision OF con-
tentment-his farm, his cottage and NaOia,
his wife. This ends the first act.
The second act finds Iolan restrained from
leaving by The Old One, who tells him that
he must be punished for his stubbornness.
The Old One then plays upon the pipe, and
Iolan sees a vision of Naoia sick Of a fever
in a cottage. He realizes that she has
heard his call to come TO him. and will rise
from her sick bed to obey. Fearing the
danger to cher from exposure, he vainly
tries TO stop her. Ske comes, and for the
moment they are extremely happy. But
pires. while he. sick with despair curses
heaven itself. The Old One tells him that
ii is not heaven that has brought him all
this woe. but his own unbrdled desire
Iolan weeps, and the elves ask The Old One
TO let him hear the song of Autumn and
Winter.
The Old One once more plays upc-. the
Pipe and Ioan grows old all at once. He
sees Naoia holding out her arms and beg
ging him TO come.
The Pipe of Desire was announced for
production last season, but circumstances
made its performance impossible. Mr.. Con-
verse was formerly professor of music az
Harvard, and is now vice-presdent of the
Boston Opera Company.
The Pipe OF Desire" will be preceded by
"Paglacci," with Hermann Jadlowker.
Pasquale Amato, Dinh Gily and Albert
Ress. Media will be sung by Bella Alien. >
Monday evening Faust will be given,
with Geraldine Farrar as Marguerite,
Jeanne Maubourg as Sebel, Marie hatfield
a. Marthe. Hermann Jadlowker in the
titular role. Adamo Didur as Mephis- |
topheles. Dinh Gilly as Valentin and Paul |
Ananian as Wagner. There will be Incl |
dental dances by the corps de ballet and |
Vittorio Podesti will conduct.
Two special performances are announced /
for Tuesday. A matinee, which will be given |
at popular prices, will be double bill that
will appeal especially 10 the children. The .
first part of the bill VIII be Humperdink's |
fairy opera "Hansel und Gretel' with |
Bella Alien and Marie hatfield as the run
away children. Marie Meitschik as the old |
Witch. Florence Wickham as the Mother !
Lila Smelling as the Sandman, Lcnora |
Sparkes the Dewman and Otto Goritz .
as the Father Alfred Hertz will conduct |
the opera. The second part of the bill VIII |
be Delibess "Coppelia,' with Anna Paw
Iowa. Michael Mordkine. Lucette de Levin
and Lodovico Saracco.
On Tuesday evening the other special per-
Torrance Will he given for the benefit of |
the Legal Aid Society, when Aida" with
a star cast, including Johanna Gadski
Louise Homer. Lenora Sparkes. Enrico
Caruso. Pasqualc Anlato. Giuio Rossi. An
drea de Segurola and Angelo Bada, will be
presented. under the direction Of Arturo
Toscanini. In addition TO the opera, there
will be a advertisement by Anna PavIowa
and Michael Mordkina, the Russian dan
GERS.
Wednesday evening will bring another
double bill. Tho Barber OF Seville" with