New-York tribune., 1912-03-20
"THE JEWELS" SUNG AGAIN
Wolf -Ferrari's Work Admirably
Performed by Dippel Company.


THE Jewels Of the Madonna" that the
Philadelphia Chicago opera Company first
revealed TO New York two weeks ago, re-
c,iyed q second production by the same
company last night at the Metropolitan
opera House. Despite the fact that many
Of the regular Tuesday night subscribers
rad returned their seats. not desiring TO
hear the same opera twice, the audience
was a fine one, and one that In interest ana
in enthusiasm was Of good omen as to the
future success OF the work
Andreas Dlppel is surely 10 he congratu-
lated upon having secured Signor Wolf
Ferrari's latest opera and having been the
first to give II to the American people. MT.
Dippel has been. as far as America IS con-
cerned. the italian composers fairy god
father After the reception accorded Inc
Secret OF Suzanne" and lie Donne
C'lIriose" there could be little doubt as 10
tho critical esteem that became the por-
tion Of the young cOmpOser-after last
nights performance there seems little call
for doubt that The Jewels Of the Ma
donna" is Of all the novelties produced IN
Now YORK for tho last few years the most
ant 10 win permanent place In the oper-
atic repertory.
\ second hearing Of the work but
strengthens the impression gained by the
first performance, both as 10 the virtues
Of the music. the dramatic power OF the
hook and OF other things that some OF
more delicate perceptions might nave
wished otherwise.
The music ls II is true. at times start
lingIy brutal. but so is the lihretto, and
the wedding Of words and music Is ever
firm. well knit and admirably balanced.
The Neapolitan airs are most effective IN
bringing into the work the proper atmos-
phere and the melody AT times Is most
ingratating.
When Sisnor Wolf-Ferrari desires 10
wax lyrical he Is a true son Of Italy, ami
song arises from him as spontaneously
perhaps more spontaneously, than is the
case with any other living operate COM
poser And never more forcibly has he
shown himself master Of the resources oil
the orchestra than in his latest work.
Most effectively does he build up his
cIimaxes. and when they arrive there Is
behind them and informing them spien-
did surge OF passion
As to the libretto, IT is always effective
theatrically, and probably expresses truly
at Icast one phase of southern Italian HE.
That the composer should have gone 10
tbe flesh pots for his material Is perhaps
tn he regretted. The supplementing OF re
Iieion by the grossest forms OF sensuallty
is accomplished in a manner never dreamed
of by most Of the young Italian veritists'
Rut no one will deny that 1t Is accom-
plIshed most effectively.
The final scene OF the second act was
made last night much less offensive to the
Roman Catholics in the audience, ana
probably to many others. by MISS Nhlte
emitting to place in the love duet the
VIRGINS crown upon her head.
The music OF this scene once more as
torishod by it's ravishing lyric beauty.
or the chief protagonists In last nights
production. first honors must go to the
RafaeIe of Mario Sammarco, whose me
art of song gave heightened effectiveness
20 as admirable an impersonation OF
veanolitan dandy, rascal ard captain oi
o.dats as ever trod the stage.
Miss Carolina White, as MallelIa' was
ora admirable in song than in action
ord Mr. Rassl as Gemaro, I'm action thah
IN song Mr. Bassi's characterization was
oro NJ the u,ost admirable things that Ne"
vorr has seen him accomplish.
Mr. Campanini conducted the perform
ance with yigor.