The Washington herald., 1911-04-21
NEW OPERA WINS
MERITED APPLAUSE
Massenet's "HerOdiade" De-
lights Music Lovers.

| Cnheralded and all but unknown, Mas
senet's opera Of ''Herodiade'' was pre-
sented for the first time in Washington
blythe French Grand Opera Company at
the Belasco last night. and the large
| audience of music lovers, attracted by
the very newness OF the opera, came,
heard, and were conquered by 1t as they
| had never been before.
| There were those in the audience who
were lovers of the old school of opera,
to whom 'Trovatore" and Lucia" were
| as a fetch: there were the devotees Of
| the Wagnerian scores, and the lovers OF
the ultramodern type. but one and all
! they left the theater delighted beyond
| words at the treasure chest opened up
| by the first local production of what may
we'll be called Massenet's masterpiece
There have been operas in the past
which have been more tuneful and operas
in which one or two particular parts are
more beautiful than anything in Her
odiade," but it is safe to say that there
is hardly an opera which pleases all
tastes, appeals to all senses, and pro-
vides such a plethora of musical gems as
this same version Of the tale Of the love
of Salome for John the Baptist.
FROM Ile very entrance Ol SdIOUle Will
her beautiful III est doux, II est bon"
until the final quintet just before the
death OF the daughter OF Herodiade the
score is one long string Of jewels Of
music each separate selection appearing
to be more beautiful than the one be-
fore, and each defying comparison with
the others because of its inherent indi-
viduality. Solos, duets, trios, quartets,
and concerted numbers literally tumble
nNrar nPrfPct cascade
of music, and the result leaves one dazed
with the pleasure of II all and wondering
IL the remainder of the score can possi-
bly, keep up to the standard OF what
went before. But there are no disap-
pointments in "Herodiade.'' either from
a musical or dramatic standpoint, for the
story is as coherent and tense with action
as the music is charming.
In the cast last night two of the COM
pany outdid any work that has been
heard here during the present engagement.
These were Mile. Nady Blancard in the
title role and NJ. Moore as Herod. Both
superbly fitted by nature for their roles,
they delivered their numbers with a fire
and feeling entirely in keeping with the
spirit in which the opera was written.
and their solos and duets were enthusi-
astically encored Particularly was this
the case with the "Salone. laisse moi
t'aimer'' Of NJ. Moore In the third act.
and the "Herod. ne me refus pas" Of
Mile. Blancard in the opening scene.
NJ Fontaine had been announced for
the part of John the Baptist, but the
role was sung by NJ. Morati on account
Of the formers engagement to sing
Sigurd tonight. NJ Morati was In splen-
did voice, as was also Mile. Scalar. who
sung Salome; their duet at the end OF
the first scene of the last act receiving
numerous encores. NJ Huberty, cast as
Phanuel, found at last part suited to
his magnificent bass voice. which did full
Justice to the "a leur approche'' In the
second act, and the ''Dors, o cite per-
verse In the third. The remainder Of
the cast was adequate and the orchestra.
under NJ. de la Fuente. gave an excellent
reading of the difficult score.
The universal verdict of the audience
appeared to be surprise that the opera
was not heard oftener and hope that It
would not be long before 1t was presented
again.