The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-21
WOLF-FERRARI WORK
AT CENTURY OPERA
"The Jewels Of the Madonna
Repeats Pronounced Success
Of Last Season.

Wolf-Ferrari's THE Jewels of the Ma
donna" was sung at the Century Opera
House last evening before a good sized
audience. which expressed It's pleasure in
no doubtful manner The opera was iirst
given in It's English dress at the Century
on October IA OF last year and its per-
formances were among the most admirable
offered by the then young institution.
That this was the case caused some aston
ishment for the work is not simple and
therefore the excellence of tho production
promised much for the future OF tho new
opera house.
Although Elizabeth Amsden. who sang
MdhcIId last year. Is no longer found in
the casts at the Century, 1t was to be eX
pected that the opera would be reproduced
N the current season. and Lois Ewell
whose industry IL interchangeable, prepared
herself TO impersonate the heroine OF the
work. The other principals were the same
as last season. The conductor, however
was not the same, nor yet the stage man
ager, and the influence wrought by the
Hewcom,ss was easily discerned.
The action Of the opera was excellently
done last autumn, but last night 1t was
better. Ernest knoch's direction OF the
music was well paired with jacques Colnrs
treatment of the movement and grouping.
Miss Eweil was apparently tired. for hor
singing lacked reserve power and her tones
were frequently bereft OF their familiar
quality. Nor can II be said that her act
ing equalled that which she did in Tie
Hand"
Gustave Bergmann made his first ap-
pearance OF the season in the role OF
Genndro. He was to have sung much
earlier. but became entangled in the war
/ web and only recently escaped. His
Genndro had value In style and purport.
! though there was little charm in his
voice. Kathleen Howard as Cdr7nold, the
mother OF hdltelld. was well placed and
I contributed an effective Characterization
To the performance. The chorus sang
generally we'll, albeit there were some
| remarkable wanderlngs from the pitch
/ IN the heavy ensembles Of the first act
The scenery was that used last season,
| painted for the Boston production OF the
work, scenery well conceived and cleverly
executed The improvement I'm the or
chestra further enhanced the interest OF
last evenings reproduction.
on the whole The Jewels OF the Ma
donna" remains one of the Century's best
achievements. Upon It warm praise can
be bestowed and n u a production which
fully deserve public approval Last eve
nlng's audience wac. as already noted
Of good size indeed one of the largest Of
tho season, and its applause was fire.
quent and prolonged. The more thought
full lovers of music might perhaps wish
to see patronage and plaudts given q
a higher type OF art than that bodied
forth IN this melodramatc work OF Wolf
Ferrari
But It Is almost inevitable that It's
unalushing theatricalism will find a
larger measure Of favor than the aristo-
cratic humor and polished musical style
Of the same composers opera buffa
"LAmore Medco," or even the delicate
fancy and flashes OF genuine imagina-
ton found in his other comedy, "LC
Donne Curiose."
THE Jewels OF the Madonna" will b'
sung tomorrow afternoon and Friday
and Saturday evenings. Tomorrow after
noon Mr.. Gnudenzi will sing GcnndrO
but the other members OF tho cast will b.
the same, and all Of last evenings
singers will appear In tho other two per
| formances