New-York tribune., 1912-02-09
.GLUCK FOLLOWS WAGNER
Both on Programmes of Yester-
day at the Metropolitan.

Even though Richard Wagner he the
operate Agamemnon, there were kings be-
fore him. and not the least OF these was
christopher Willibald GluCk. Both Wagner
and Gluck were on the programme Of YES
terday AT the Metropolitan Opera House.
and once again the true music lovers had
a field day. The afternoon was devoted to
the second performance OF the Ring series
and the first performance this season Of
Die Walkiire," and. as at the opening
"RheinEold.' Wagnerites both perfect and
imperfect thronged to their Broadway
mecca in almost unprecedented numbers.
If popular interest is to he followed there
seems no reason why there should not he
another cycle before the close OF the sea-
son.
If there is to he only one performance of
Die Walkjire" this year, Alfred Hertz,
who conducted the one of Yesterday. may
lay the JUNCTION to his soul that, all things
considered. il was one of the best and most
spirited that the Metropolitan has seen in
recent years There was i'm fact. only one
flaw in the presentat atiOn-the SieEmund Of
Heinrich Hensel Mr. Hensel all but
spoiled the Love Song with his hard un-
sympathetic tones. tones without color or
character. There We're. too. elsewhere
lack OF carrying power and at times
series Of disastrous quarrels with the pitch
In short. Mr.. Hensers Germanc style is
not agreeable 10 American ears.
But the SieElinde OF Nine. Morena the
Brtinnhilde of Mime. Gadski. the Fricka OF
Nine. Matzenauer. and the Hunding Of
Mr. Ruysdael were superb. while Mr We'll
was capable Wotan. and his eight winged
daughters true Nalkyrs all. Mime. Morena
has always given an imaginative imperson-
alton of the unfortunate Wolsung, but for
the last two seasons her voice had sounded
strangely worn. She proved Yesterday that
she has returned in greatly improved vocal
condition. and her singing OF the music
was delight Mime. .Gadski. too. had
never sung better than yesterday. her
upper tones being remarkably pure and
powerful
But perhaps heartinst praise OF al should
he given to Mr. Ruvsiael. He made his
American debut last season I'm the same
part-Hundng Al that time the reviewers
heard a voice that had evidently natural
beauties. but that faulty tone production
rendered throaty and wahhly. \ years
study has done wonders. and yesterday the
singer revealed himself as a true bass. OF
voice both rich and resonant. while in addi-
ton his dramatic impersonation was more
t1an usually effective. Mr. Ruysdacl will
undouhtedlv become a most useful member
of the company.
In the evening Gluck's "Armdo," with
which a year ago Mr. Gatti-Casazza choS"
70 opcu tho season. thereby throwing
Monday night audience into something ap-
uroaching CONSERVATION. was tho opera.
OF course Mr. Caruso appeared AZ Renaud.
and was no DOUBT partly responsible Tor
the large audience an audicnc" which rI-
allied in Size. n not in uuth.nkiug enthu-
siasm. those OF Aida" or "PaEliacci. Mr..
Caruso has often been rcIroachcd with alb
sorbir, the whole MctropolijaI Opera Com
pany into his own golden voice, as far as
its drawing power went, but II he can CON
tinue to increase the popularity ~ such a
work as Glucks his presence even iu this
respect may turn out blessing
Of course. despite Mr.. Caruso's brav" at
tompts 20 sing in q style not his own. th"
real star Of the evening was Nine. From
ytad. who in all except her French die
ton exhausts supcrlativo. Her Armid" b.
a conception which she has vitalizad and
sent forth throbbing with life and uplift"d
by Imagination, and despite lts manifold
difficulties portrait worthy 20 stand vii"
her Isolde. her Sieglird" or her kundry.
More than this she sang the music Of
GIuck with a majesty. q Toignan"y. m in
finite sense Of light and shade tha. mad"
the part one which vorally. size has never
surpae esed.
or the others I'm the cast special mention
should bc made of Dnh Ginys Uhaldc, os
Mrs Hom,r'g La Hainc. Of Nine. MaU-
bourg's phGnicc and OF Miss Splrkcs.s
Sidonic. Nj Tosraninl conducted magmiu-
Gently and the ballet did th" b"s; % know