New-York tribune., 1911-01-29
YESTERDAYS MUSIC
MisCha EIman and an 0peratiC
Matinee.

'NN''iNNs
Though Afischa Elman had played twice
in this city at concerts OF the Boston SYM
uhony Orchestra, twice at Sunday night
concerts in the METROPOLITAN Opera House.
and given a concert in Brooklyn. before he
was heard at Yesterday afternoons recital
in Carnegie Hall. mis- audience flied the
great room. and many there were who
came TO hear and were forced to 20 away
disappointed. Mr.. Elman has achieved a
wonderful vogue here-one without parallel
among the violin virtuosi now before the
public. He rnerited admiration from the
time of his advent in America, but he is
deserving of something more than admira-
ton now. His self-conscious bearing the
impertinent strut OF his manner, made IL
somewhat difficult 70 enjoy his playing
when first he came, in spite OF the fact
that there was much in it that had TO be
recognized as remarkable. One might
listen with delightful surprise, but it was
all but impossible 70 respect him as an
artist But he has ripened in intelligence
and taste and grown in dignity rapidly.
Yesterday his manner was respectful tow
ard his listeners. as we'll as toward music.
and his playing in keeping with his greater
artistic stature. IN the three compositions
in the larger forms which he played be-
fore he came down 10 the things better cal
culated TO tickle the ears OF the ground
lings he displayed greater breadth and
beauty Of tone, more depth Of sentiment
and a finer appreciation of the values which
rest on repose than he did when here be-
fore. and caused just as much delight by
the splendid freedom and certainty Of his
stopping and bowling. The pieces were
Goldmark's suite for violin and pianotor'e
Odr. Percy Kahn being his companion IN
this as well as his accompanist In the
other compositions on the programmed.
Brucn's concerto in D minor, and Handel s
sonata in D major. The statement that
this was 10 be Mr.. Elmsns only recital in
New York this season ought not to be con-
strued too literally. He can give several
more concerts with proht 10 himself and
the public.
Except as II helps to show how much
greater an artist IS in popular estimation
than an art work, it is idle 10 make men
ton of the size Of our opera audiences. 4
small audience Is out Of the question on
a subscription night or afternoon, for the
seasons subscription Is co-extensiVe win
the seating capacity Of the house in the
regions visible 10 the observer from below.
What fiuctuation there is from occasion 10
occasion is generally due 10 the presence or
absence of Signor Caruso. II makes very
little difference what opera he sings in so
lCnG as he sings Next in attractiveness
comes Miss Farrar who, it is fair 10 sur
mise. is supposed 10 have sufficient magnet
ism 20 make Mr. Caruso's cooperation IN
ker performances unnecessary. Il would
seem from yesterdays experience, however,
that it is possible 70 make an opera Of Miss
Farrar's only moderately attractive. 'Ro-
meo et Juliette' was the opera yesterday
afternoon. With Miss Farrar was associat-
cd lIr Smirnoff, the same pair Of Veronese
lovers that had appeared in Gounod's opera
twice before. and caused the judicious 70
smile and marvel az the fantastic costum-
inS Of the lady and grieve at her degrade =
ticu Of the character Of Juliet Perhaps II
was because Of this and the inartistic per-
formance Of the Russian tenor that the
audience was the smallest seen al natl
nee in the Metropolitan Opera House this
season. No matter what the cause Of the
small attendance. it is a pity that Gounod s
opera, to say nothing Of Shakespeare
tragedy. should be obliged 70 suffer humili-
atIon IN our proud establishment.
Il E X.