The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19
Wide Range OF Merit and Den1erit in
the Productions Twenty-Five
Works Presented

that It's performances have made any
appreCinble approach to those Of the long
dead American Opera Company Is to-
invite the rid!cule Of all who attended
those representations.
The truth Ia that In the first season
at the Century some honest EFFORT has
fallen short OF its aims. There have
been some sorry displays of futility.
Struggles. of those without knowledge
of operate routine to do things de-
manding precisely that equipment,
struggles of those with good voices and
little skill to do things for which they
had insufficiently prepared. struggles OF
yet others to do things for which they
should never have been cast-all these
have been factors In results prohibitive
of that general excellence and cohesive
ness known as ensemble.
That these conditions have existed
side by side with much meritorous
achievement indicates that either a.
governing force OF artistic authority or
a sufficient time for rehearsa,s has been
wanting. The evidence points to the
conclusion that both were lacking. The
attempt TO bring forward new opera
every week for thirty-five weeks could
succeed only IL al the members of the
chorus and most Of the principals had
considerable repertory before the sea-
son began. But where most OF them had
to learn the operas de novo the plan
was bound to present many insurmount-
able obstacles.
But even IL there had been a ready
repertory of considerable extent artis-
tic success could not have been attained
without n skilled and authoritative d.
rect!on of each production. There can
be no question that here was the weak
est link in the Century chain. In some
representations there seemed to be no
head whatever The first performance
of Balfe's Bohemian Girl" for exam
pie, was grave misfortune to the
house. and II was not simply because
most of those OF. the stage appeared to
he unacquainted with either the words
or the music OF the opera but still more
because none of them knew where to
go, what to do or how to do IT, They
were ike a party of lost and frightened
children.
The first performance of "Lohengrin"
was OF the same kind. Ignorance OF the
text and music was not so manifest as
innocence of Wagnerian STYLE Of the
simplest elements in the stage business,
all. Such things as these may happen
to a travelling company playing "one
night stands They should never &C.
cur in an opera house established for
the permanent delecta,on Of a city.
Fortunately many Of the deficiencies
OF the recent season need not continue
next winter. First of al there Is now
considerable repertory. Nearly al,
OF the works heard In tire past winter
are available for repetition. They be-
long to the stock in trade Of airy opera
house. The chorus now knows them
and those principals who are reengaged
l for next season will also have them in
their repertories. II, for example,
/ Aida" is announced for repetition the
; possible three or four stage rehearsals
will be sufficient.
Experience and reflection should aid
powerfully In improving the art OF the
principals, Several of them In the sea-
son just closed have won commentator
and have shown promise. No one OF
them has attained quite that level of
greatness which has been accorded them
by the prOfessed glorfiers OF the house
But a thoroughly competent artistic
stage director able and willing to work
should be able to whip these forces into
/ pretty good shape before the middle Of
another season.
The Century Opera House scheme
with such notifications as the first sea-
sons experience naturally suggests
ought 10 b come successful. 1t can
supply want in this city. There Is
without question large number Of
people who wish TO hear opera at low
prices. These people do not demand
the services of high salaried stars, but
they do wish performances smooth and
well rounded and they have a right TO
expect them.
whether they wish to hear the operas
in English or not Is a matter which the
present writer has not be- n able to de-
eide from his observations. The man
ayers abandoned the one Italian per-
Torrance early in the season because.
as already noted, only a few foreign
born citizens took any interest in It.
But II the operas had never been given
In English at all the deductions might
be different from those which seem SO
. conclusive now.
Two conclusions, however. cannot be
evaded. one is that better librettos
must he provided If the operas are to be
given In English, and the other is that
those singers who do not know how to
enunciato Will have to learn how.
Continual censure OF the clumsy Eng.
.ish TRANSACTIONS brought from the man.
ayers Of the Century Opera House a
puerNe invitation To the newspaper
critics TO come and write better ones.
Just why this invitation was confined
10 the newspaper writer's and not ex-
tended 10 the dissatisfied members OF
ne audiences no one has yet explained
Inc managers d!sclaimcd any intention
pf making an irritable challenge. and
douhiloss the invitation was put forth
IN good faith, but why were not drama
usls' operetta lihrettists. song writer's
ana poets also bid to the contest?
however we are promised better
TRANSACTIONS next season. For this we
shan be- duly thankful when we get
them Meanwhile let us all hope that
IN" managers OF the Century will find Il
within their means To provide some of
their SINGERS with training in enuncia.
tIon. Perhaps those who have already
exhibited 40 much skill could teach the
others. However, this Is matter to
%" s"'led by the managers, not bv
the recorders OF passing events Their
duty IL performed wlen they point out