New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-22
FAUST AND FARRAR
Combination Fills Metropolitan
Opera House.
SCENERY A DRAWBACK
With Exception of Mr.. Jorn in
Name Role Artists and
Chorus Deserve Praise.

Those were other days when a learned
Theban Of the press would refer to the
Metropolitan Opera House as "das Faust
spielhaus," when Eames and Melba were
the Marguerites, Jean de Reszke the
Faust, EdouaTd de ResZke and Plancon
the Mephistos. There has been much be-
waiing Of those vanished Gallo nights,
gone with the SHOWS Of yesteryear before
the blasts OF Puccini and the Veritists;
but vanished they have, with to-day only
slight promise of their near return. The
world of opera has raised affairs to other
gods. and their worshippers cry forth in
| unknown tongues. Suavity and grace and
refinement OF sentiment they know not;
their demands are for hot-blooded action,
vibrant singing and tumultuous emotion
a democratic art in a democratic age.
Yet Charles Gounod knew his world.
and the sops were many that he cast TO
the Cerberus Of democracy, with the re-
suit that his masterwork comes to us
year after year, and though the classic
tradition has all but vanished Faust
still draws its audiences, whom the "Veau
| dor" still thrills and the "Salut Ode
meure" still charms. For when all Is said
and done the score is saturated with mel
ody OF melody in enough abundance 10
keep half dozen Puccinis in stock for
lifetime. Besides, there IL Goethe's i'm
mortal poem. expurgated Of its philosophy
and intensified in its sensuous appeal.
Truly Charles Gounod was wise In more
! than his day and generation!
O., log f nj h
the second Thursday OF the season, and
the Metropolitan was filled, and every one
was glad, and Miss Geraldine Farrar
| once more unlocked the chambers OF her
Imagination and let fly over the foot
lights her winged ideas as TO how an IN
nocent, blue eyed German maiden loves
falls, repents and is carried OF by the
angels. Miss Farrar Is nearly as clever
Mr. Gounod, and quite as wise in her
day and generation. She is exceedingly
pretty and graceful beyond all dreams
and she is scrupulously careful not 10
give too severe q shock TO her audiences
Vaccinations by not preparing them for
her coming fall.
Hers is a coquettish Marguerite, VINO
had she been born on the other side OF
the Rhine might have been Manon. Ana
II Goethe would have been astonished
had he watched his Gretchen last night
Gounod no doubt would have only smiled
and perhaps in the corner Of one eye
would have flashed the faint ghost OF a
wink. Vocally Miss Farrar was In eX-
cellent condition, and her singing had, IN
addition. much delicacy Of expression.
AS for the Faust Of Mr.. J0rn. the less
said the better, but as usual both Mr.
Rothier and Mr.. Gilly gave admirable
performances OF Mephistopheles and Val
entln. Mr.. ROthier was a debouair
graceful devil. with a new costume, with
little except his arched eyebrows and
the scarlet lining of his coat TO suggest
the Internal regions Mr.. Gilly. In his
voice. showed marked improvement over
last season. singing the "Dio Possent"
with resonant, rich tone and impeccable
intonation.
Nine. Maubourg was the siebel and Mt.
sturanl copducted the orchestra with
spirit and with more than his usual share
Of nuance. a good word, too should be
said for the chorus and less favorable
one FOR the scenery that has done duty
these many years Nuremberg was IN
doubtedly very dingy, but surely not as
dingy as that old setting makes 10.