New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-01
TALES OF HOFFMANN''
Third Opera of Season Given at
the Century.
NEW TENOR A FEATURE
John Bardsley Scores Success
as Hero of Offenbach's
Opera.

Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoff-
mann" anglicized into THE Tales Of
Hoffman," was sung last night in Eng
lish at the Century Opera House. The
choice OF Offenbach's sole opera comique
as one OF the first works TO be presented
by the new opera company can be justi-
fed in several ways.
1t is true that the opera itself was one
Of the few that held its popularity dur
ing those exciting days when Oscar Ham
merstein was imperator OF West oath
street, when Maurice Remand. in his pro-
team representation OF the Spirit Of Evil.
left memories never TO be effaced. and 10
expect an artist in popular priced opera
house 10 equal or even APPROACH the su-
preme art OF the great French BARITONE
would be a contamination beyond the
dreams OF managers. Yet Mr.. Renaud's
impersonation was not the only reason
for the OPERAS popularity.
The music OF Offenbach is ever light,
graceful and melodious. and more than
ever so In his master work. The Bar
carolle" is played daily throughout the
land on ten thousand gramophones and
by a hundred orchestras. Every young
krl who IS learning 10 strum on the piano
knows IL and tries TO play IT, In short
in the last few years it has taken its
place with the Intermezzo from "Cavai-
leria" and the Meditation" from "Thals'
as a musical epidemic. Then, again. the
story is varied, picturesque, sentimental
and melodramatic. and an impresarlo
could not hope for four more potent mag
nets OF popular appreciation.
AS a final reason for it's choice. con-
sidering the fact that It was to be sung In
English, a really adequate translation
had at last been found. for which thanks
are due 10 Mr.. Charles Henry Meltzer.
Last night Mr.. Meltzer proved that he
had driven home an effective stroke In
the warfare for translated opera, In which
warfare he has for so long been the
Henry Of Navarro.
While II is impossible that any transla-
ton. however capable. can be entirely
satisfactory in always following the
nelodic line. Mr.. Neltzer's brought forth
no strange solecisms and was, on the
whole. admirable in its fidelity to me
spirit OF the work. After ALL Honmann
was a German. and the essence or the
story German. and Ofenbach's opera
goes into English more adequately than
do such thoroughly foreign librettos as
Aida" and "GiocOnda.'
Last nights performance was adm!rahle
in its staging. as has always been the
case at the Century. The chorus was
well drilled and well costumed. and thihes
moved smoothly and with spirit. OF the
singers. first honors. beyond ali question,
went 70 the Antonio OF Miss Scott anu
the Hoffmann OF John Bardsley MT
Bardsley. despite a slight hoarsehes',
rave a performance Of rare grace ana
distinction. a performance infused win
true pathos and poetic feeling. In add
ITO, his diction was really remarkao'e
for clarity OF expression. HIS singihs VI
Miss Herberts part when she faleu III
her first entrance was a remarkable Iea'
and one deserving OF high praise
Nice Lena Mason brought forth many
laughs for her acting Of the Doll. Her
voice was inclined 10 stridency, posslpS
from intention. Miss Ewell. as the
Venetian Courtesan, and Mr.. Kreidler, as
Dr Miracle. were deserving Of favorable
mention, as was less the case with the
Nicklausse OF Miss Herbert. or course
our old friend. signor Daddi. was as
amusing as ever as Cochenille and as
Franz.
Another new singer. whose voice ana
acting made a distinctly favorable I'M
nression. was Miss Ivy Scott, who sang
Tho mart OF the consumptive Antonio. Mr..
Adkins was acceptable as Dapertutto'
Mr. Nicosia conducted.