The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19

ny W. J. HENDERSON.
@-HE completion OF the first season
Of opera in English at the Cen
L fury opera House suggests so
many comments that only
reckless observer would dare to attempt
an exhaustive review of this event in
the musical history of the town. The
promises OF the enterprise have In GER
tain details been well kept. Operas OF
various schools and individual char
acter have been performed with Eng
lsh text. The repertory has been lib
eral and on the whole well chosen. This
will readily be seen by glance at the
following table, which shows the titles
of the operas given and the dates OF
first performances.
1t must be kept in mind that each
work was brought forward for week
Of representations. In the beginning
the last performance OF each week was
in the original text of the opera. but
this scheme was found to be useless.
since 1t made no appeal to the regular
patrons Of the theatre and served occs-
sionally to attract only "A few Italians
who wished to hear the works of their
own composers at a low price.
Sept. l5-"Aida"
Sept. 23--"La Gioconda."
Sept. 30--"Tales of Hofmann.'
oct. 7-"Lohengrin."
oct. l4-"Jewels OF the Madonna"
Oct. 2l-"Madame Butterfly"
Oct. 2S-"Tosca-"
Nov 4--'Lucia."
Nov ii-"Samson and Delllah."
Nov. ISL Trovatore."
Nov. 25--"Thais."
Dec. 2--"Faust."
Dec. 9-"Madame Butterfly" Crepet-
tion.)
Dec. 1s-"The Bohemian Girl"
Dec. 23-"Carmen."
Dec. 30-"Louise," 1.-TWO weeks)
Jan. l3-"Tales OF Hoffman," repeti-
Jan. 20-'La Boheme"
Jan. 2S--"Romeo and Juliet"
Feb. 3--"Rigoetto
Feb. i0--"Haensel and Gretel," "Caval-
Ieria Rusticana" and ballet
Feb. l7-"Manon."
Feb 24-"Pagllacci," Secret OF su-
same"
Mar. 3-"Haensel and Gretel," ballet
and "Pagliacci'
March l0-"Aida," (repetltion.)
March l7-"Tiefand"
March 24-"Martha."
March 3l--"Thais." (repetition)
April MIXED bill.
April 13-"Natoma."
This table shows that twenty five
operas were produced in the season. OF
these. twelve were italian. eight French,
three German, one English and one
American. The Italian list contained
some Of the most popular works known
to the opera world. namely. Aida"
Madame Butterfly" "Tosca," "Pag-
liacci," la Boheme" and "Cavalleria
Rusticana." The French list had not
only such tried favorites as Carmen"
and "Manon." but also Louise" "Thals"
and Tales OF Hoffman," The older
Juliet" were well chosen and indeed
the seasons repertory could hardly have
been balanced without revivals Of "Rgo-
letto." al Trovatore" and Lucia
These works seem to fall inevitably into
all schemes of cheap opera
II was to expected that the field
Of German opera would throw the most
formidable obstacles into the path Of
the new enterprise. and therefore We
need not be aston!shed to find only three
German productions. Probably much
speculation may arise as TO the reasons
for the selection Of Eugen d'Alberts
dismal failure, "Tiehand." To be sure
the opera has had triumphant career
in Germany, but 1t persisted mlserably
here although well presented
There were plenty of better German
works to be had, and even hasty
glance at the repertory Of the America n
Opera Company, which gave excellent
performances Of opera In English some
years ago, might have furnished some
suggestions. on the whole, however.
the repcrtory Of IN FIRST season was
better than even experienced observers
could have expected, Indeed there Is
room for question as 10 whether II was
not too good, Tor it made tremendous
demands upon an institution whose re-
sources were small
In the presentation OF the various
operas there has been a wide range of
merit and demerit There have been
soma projections when reflected only
credit on the theatre and some which
brought 10 It little dIscrrdlu The
go. ., re of neWSpip"rg committed
from the beginning to praise al every
thing and anything done at the Cen.
fury Theatre has not been able To con-
ceal the several comparative failures OF
the season
The successes OF the house should be
remembered az demonstrations Of what
can be accomplished IN such an insti-
tuition under favorable conditions Then
tn aim ~ the managers should hc IA
make the conditions always favorable
rms can hc done. The performance. of
'Aida' The jewels Of the Mndonn, 90
'IIeiland' ana "$atomu" have shawn
mat with the materials now pssernhirI
at me Century It rs practicable io r.vo
opera To- manner COMMENSURATE vth
the promises made hy the PROTECTION. ot
mo enterprise. II thls new ox,sys hons.