The sun., 1913-11-23
By W. J. HENDERSON.


OF opera under the direction Of
Mr.. 0atti-Casazza was accom-
plished on Monday evening in
the midst of ru'nors Of war yet without
serious disturbance of the peace and re-
pose OF this community. The first per-
formance assumed its proper place in
the eternal scheme of things as men,
orable social occasion. II is indeed
rather as social event than as an ar
tistic occurrence that tie first evening
at the opera should be viewed. No
one wishes to look upon 1t with lofty
contemplation. 1t is a time for wecom-
ing back the favorites Of the lyric stage
and for displayin to tne pest possible
advantage the latest creations of the
wizards OF the Rue de la PaiN.
Critical discussion of the performance
Of Ia Gioconda" was accordingly not
Of a profoundly serious nature. There
was no reason why II should he. The
first night at the opera is the society
chronicler's night. Therefore THE SUNS
commentator contented himself with
noting that the people engaged in the
Metropolitan representation of Ponchi-
ellis opera at any rate had some ac-
quaintance with the style. while on the
other hand most of the singers were
palpably ont of voice.
1t may he that to-day will admit Of a
less qualified statement of the facts.
The performance was admirable in its
general spirit and there were certain in
dividual representations which had good
characteristics. But the record of the
''cold. gray dawn of the morning after
was excessively kindly and forbearins.
Now let us enjoy ourselves by confront
ing one or two plain and unadulte ra ted
facts. In recent seasons too much has
been overlooked. Too much has been
endured The public Is naturally easy
going, hut the artist should never be.
Therefore this is the time and the
place to say without qualification that
not within the memory or ancient opera
lovers has such an array o. battered
vocal wrecks been placed on exhibit on as
those who struggled with the chief roles
in la Gioconda." The hes, singing OF
the evening was done by Nine. Duchene
who came to the opera season with pow
ers freshened by proper relaxation
Next to her the honors of tho occasion
went to Mr.. de Segurola.
As for the others, without exception
they were in vocal tatters. Most un-
happy of all was Mr. Amato. who had
prefaced the opera season by busy
concert tour. Miss Farrdr. who was to
have sung on the opening night, was
disabled by a cold caught on such a
tour. Mr.. AmatO was almost SO and
should have asked to have an apology
made for him; he owed one To his audi
ence. His voice had not a shred of
resonance and sounded hoarse and hol-
low. except in forced upper tones.
Mr. Carusos "Ciclo mar was not
even an echo of his delivery Of the
same number five or six years ago. The
changes in this great voice are due TO
hard usage. Nine Destinn cut phrases,
pumped and labored and made windmill
movements with semi-occasional re-
suits. She was much better on Wednes-
day. AS for Nine. Matzenaucr, pity de-
mands that veil be- drawn before
memories of her singing of Laura. 1t
was little short Of lamentable.
The plain and simple fact is that all
these great artists are so eager to
earn more and more money that they
never give themselves sufficient rest.
What with bowling in a lions cage and
roaring into monographs. even the
few hours not occupied in singing in
concert or opera are crowded with labor.
II Is a pity that a poor impresario can
not make contracts preventing such
doings. But since we learn from the
sensation mongers of the press that
singers who began their work almost
without food to cat now have TO n'e
like princes We can hardly wonder
that they are ready well nigh to face
vocal death rather than that one giided
dollar should escape.
Tho death OF Mathilde Marchesi has
already been a subject OF comment IN
this newspaper but there Ia yet some
thing TO be said. Those who have the
curiosity TO know something about her
ideas can learn a little from her book
called Ten Singing Lessons" published
some years ago by the Harpers, with a
preface by Nine Melba and an intro
duction by the present writer. Marches
was a teacher of tho old Italian methoo
of singing and her SUCCESS with he'
pupils was due even less to her under'
standing OF this method than to nor un'
tagging devotion.
Even in old age she was willing TO sit
all day at her piano personally direct
ing the work of her pupils. Naturally
she was especially delighted to work
with such voice as that of Melba. The
famous Australian prima donna was
the original heroine Of the incident
adarAed by George Moore TO his story
of the career Of Evelyn lnness." The
teacher in this story was MarChesi and
the star she discovered was Melba
Other incidents were taken from othei
careers.
Those who have followed the history
Of the Metropslitan Opera House fol
sen" years h Ays had opportunities t'