New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-14
THE SECRET Of SUZANNE
Cigarette Smoke and Music at
the Metropolitan.

The delightful hint given by Mr..
DIPPED nearly tao years ago was acted
on by Mr. Gatti last night. when he pro-
duced III segreto di Susanna" as cur
tain raiser for Caruso and "Pagliacci
Wolf Ferrari's dainty work IL almost too
exquisite, too sense and mind films In
itself 10 be used as n prologue TO any
thing current at the Metropolitan opera
House. but II Leoncayallo's hot-biooded
little tragedy must needs have a prologue
because those who support our opera
come to their boxes at Of the clock, and
I'll Segreto," therefore, cannot be an
epilogue. there could be no happier assoc
citation than the works OF Wolf-Ferrari
and LeoncaYallo. The composer Of the
comedy. mindful Of the origin OF the
humorous element IN the lyric drama,
called his work an intermezzo, for In the
olden DAYS Il would have been performed
not before or after q serious work. but
between it's acts; but whether before or
after any OF the short operas IN the cur
rent list. II In such a delightful addition
10 the entertainment OF opera patrons
that as great a measure OF gratitude
must go out 10 Mr.. Gatti for Including II
In his list as II IL were twice as long
four times as pretentious and twenty
times as sonorous. Perhaps much
greater In view OF its confluence In re-
spect OF the last quality, for sorority IN
this latter day has come to mean noise
and noise can easily be spared. Which
reflection. In turn. suggests the thought,
not necessarily relevant, that Wolt-Fer-
rari's little early score outweighs In value
his last big one, as VIII pretty generaiIy
be recognized when "Il Segreto' ana i
Gioiellr' become better known.
I'll Segreto di Susanna" might furnish
n pretty text for those who are taking
unanimously and volubly just now Gas
others have talked for the last three-quar-
ters Of a century, about the great need Oh
performing opera In the vernacular.
Wolf-Ferrari's opera In announced on the
bills as THE Secret Of Suzanne" and the
italian title is given in the language In
which II is sung, but not that In which II
WAS composed and first sung. This was
German. No doubt, deftly translated by
one with a command Of poetical EngliSh
and q sufficient knowledge Of the art OF
SONG to enable him properly 10 consort
words and music, the amusing COMEDY
would be quite as amusing and musicaily
beyitching as It If in Italian Out II
segreto' is a play which. with Woit-
Ferrarps music, would be "understanded
NJ the people' and enjoyed by them
exquisite
Measure when the Philadelphia-ChicaSo
company presented IL. and that pleasure
was raised a hundredfold last night when
Miss Farrar took the part OF the countess
Gill. whose wicked secret was that she
smoked cigarettes, and Signor Scott that
~ her husband, whose Jealous passion was
nroyoked TO almost tragic heights by his
susnicions but were allayed in moment
when he learned the truth. Finer comedy
play than these two ingeniously matched
artists put TO their credit last night could
not well be imagined, and the picturesque
effect OF the play was greatly heightened
nv setting the period OF the play back
from the present time couple of gener-
atoms 10 permit Miss Farrar to appear III
most fetching couture and brocaoes'
Some dainty crescendos OF effect are still
possible, and will be made when MISS
Farrar recognizes the ingenious manner
I'm which the composer has consorted the
curling exhalations from his orchestra
with the smoke OF the Countess's cigarette.
II will be only matter OF familiarity
with the score A prettier vision and
more piquant and graceful poses and ac-
ton she is not likely ever to attain
I'll segreto di Susanna" was followed
by "Pagliacci," with the familiar cast
II. L. X.