New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-28

clothc in music than could be compa ssed
within reasonable time by that method.
\ brave effort was made TO obviate this
difficulty by liberal excisions made in the
course OF the preparatory rchearsals but
the obvious remedy was 20 cut ont tho
scenes which. however brilliant and IL
Illustrative OF Rostands genius. are not
essential 10 the presentation Of the ro-
mantle figure which was uppermcst in
Mr.. Damroscns mind.
The music Of AIr. Damrosch might be
approached from several points OF view
and always invite more praise than con-
demnation. ~ 10 its style il is most
efnphaticaly eclectic, so eclectic indeed
that it can scarcely be credited with
marked consistency OF style. Tho open
ing scene is splendidly effective, fun of
grace and spirit. and nothing could have
been conceived more appropriate in any
respect than the measures which begin
the pastoral play interrupted by Cyrano.
But the interest dropped where il was
expected to mount in the duel. Here 'yn-
chronism Of real swordplay and word
u rlythmically piquant melody and
nice adjustment OF music and action
would have been OF beautiful effective
ness. We should have had the touch at
the end OF the refrain not in a. long
drawn out f., and the poetic genius
and workmanship Of Cyrano woJld
have been illustrated--not travestied. An
equal measure of good taste would have
spared us the feeble imitation OF Gilbert
and sullivan In the Pastry Cooks recipe.
and the intoerably wcaTisome choral
repetition of line after line in this song as
well as that of the Gascony cadets.
II was in tho love music OF the third
act and in the dramatic finale Of the
fourth that M DamroSch's skill showed
itself at its best. Here there were echoes
Cf The mclod'c. harmonic and instru-
mental idoms Of composers who nave
drawn luminous nres across the pages Of
operate history. but enough freshness Of
inspiration in every department to COM
pei not only respect but admiration. AS
FOR the !etais OF the very excellent per
Torrance there will he time 20 go into
them uerea fteT. To sum up: A drama
which has many external features that
lend themselves gracefully TO an
operate setting which might oven he
said TO CRY out for an operate invesu-
ture but which frequently in all that
makes IL great and glorious in IT'S orir-
nal form rcsents despoliation OF any
kind. has been turned into an attractiv
musical drama With It's Gallo esprit.
inseparablc from the original text there
has evaporated so much OF its character
istlc charm that 80 j. TO BE- feared few
Of NJ Rostand's admirers will approve OF
the transforms ton. bat. saving the lie
fects which are 10 be found chiefly IN the
musical setting OF portions Or its comedy.
il 10 vet notable artistic achievement
and one which reflects credit upon It's
authors and the institution which pro-
duced H. II offers nothing which points
even remotely TO q solution OF the prob
lem OF English or American opera. or
the pecIliar value Of the vcrnacular a
an element i'm the lyric drama but e VIII
encourage native composers 20 work. ana
through their StriVings there may got be-
found a style OF operate writing adapted
10 the genius Of our language and ap-
pealing 10 thu taste OF the American
people
To complete me record OF an interest
inS occurrence Their" follows hcre copy
Of the playful