New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-14
Victor Herbert's Opera Of
fering for Final Week of
Much Shortened List.
SUCCESS OF POPULAR
EXPERIMENT IN DOUBT
Plan TO Increase Number of Cheap
Seats Next Fall Will Prove
Real Test of Scheme.
Bv X. z. EREHBIEI.

|
tember began its last week for this sea-
son last night When the curtain closes
next Saturday evening there will remain
as a debit in the account with the public
a month Of representations and the until
filed promise Of a dozen works which
were named in the prospectus. In lieu OF
these the public must needs be content
with the production OF "Natoma,' which
opera was brought forward as the final
Offering OF the operate year Under diff
ferent conditions than those now prevail
| ing it might be questioned II "Natoma"
is an equitable Offset against "Mignon."
Kings Children "Tannhauser. 30 "Trav-
iata.' "Salome.' Trlstram and Yseult."
The Rhinesod." THE Valkyr."
"Siegfried." THE Twilight Of the
Gods" and THE Hueuenots. which
are the operas that have fallen by the
wayside; but rs matters have gone Of
late In the beautiful theatre In Central
Park West, financially as we'll as artist
cally, the outcome may be set down as
fortunate for all concerned. IT would
have been the height Of folly for the COM
pany 10 have attempted the grandiose
Wagnerien list, especially after the
representations which the works consti-
tuting it have received at the arstocratlc
institution in Broadway. With this
deprecatory conclusion, however there
must be coupled cheerful expression OF
the fact that the people of the theatre in
Central Park West have made a brave
showing by bringing forward twenty-five
operas and giving each OF them from
eight 10 sixteen performances.
The merits and defects OF those per
formances have been discussed. ade-
quately and impartially. We think. in this
journal during the last seven months
certainly in spirit OF good will toward
the ideals for which the new institution is
striving.
There does not appear, however. 10 have
been a convincing answer to all of the
questions which the experiment raised
when II had an suspicious beginning last
September, some OF which We're PROFOUND
ed In the critical column Of this journal
in reviewing the first performance Of
Aida" Let the question of the use of
the vernacuar be passed over now with
which were composed 10 English words
were performed. and that partial con-
fession of the disadvantage of transla-
tons may be read In the fact that the
management has promised to make a
trial with new versions next season.
one Of the questions which was 10 be
tested was whether or not opera az an
artistic entertainment is so admired and
desired by the multitude that It viii be
supported by that multitude for its own
sake. Another was whether or not Sc
rious opera grand opera" as it is pop
uary called regardless Of its form or
contents) could live without the help OF
fad and fashion. Another whether or
not performances, necessarily mediocre
though never so creditable to the per
formers, would be accepted by the public
because they did not cost so much as
performances in which the glamour OF
great names and social pomp are con
sorted with great perfection IN the rep
reservations. For a time it seemed as II
these questions we're about TO be an
swered I'm the affirmative, but later the
tide turned, and II the financial outcome
a criterion u negative answer must be
chronicled, FOR the generous and public
spirited hackers of the enterprise will
have a large deficit TO pay nOtwithstand-
ing the statements which have been made
10 the contrary. II the decision OF the
owners of the Century Opera House TO
remodel the audience room so as TO IN
crease the number OF cheap seats is 10
receive it's only reasonable Interpretation,
however. IL means that while they have
been disappointed In their expectation Of
support from patrons willing 10 pay the
higher prices OF the moderate schedule
they have been encouraged TO believe that
next season there will be large Increase
in the class for which they purpose TO
make larger provision.
"Natoma" has been so successfully ex-
plotted that il would seem 20 have been
accepted by Mr. Herberts admirers as
the finest exfoistion and ripest fruit of
American operate genius and the cul-
rnfnation Of 100 years OF endeavOr by
American composers. II would be a pity
II any considerable number OF connois-
seurs should hold that view. That il is
absurd as a dramatic picture OF Spanish
life Of the period In which It is supposed
TO play. and that It's text, especially It's
lyrics, are the merest dOggerel, was sur
nciently pointed out when the opera had
us first production in Philadelphia ana
AZ the Metropolitan Opera House. Moth
ing more need he said on that score. IL
NAV be remarked with propriety, how
ever. that the music appears In better
llsht since the production OF Mr.. Her
berts Madeleine than II. did he
fore. It's themes are more inter
estinG. it's orchestration has more
chapm. the fabric holds together better.
II does not disclose that the composer
has yet found an individual voice me
falls into the idioms Of Wagner ana
Ieoncavalol. but he is not so futile an
imitator Of them as he IS OF strauss 81
his worst In the later opera. And thef@
Is not only appositeness. but beauty IN
his use of local color. more effective IN
the case OF the Indian element man the
spanish. But II "Natoma' does not meet
any lofty requirements OF the art-form'
II has life and picturesqueness In It's sec
ond act. which makes appeal 10 those
who exact nothing more than a pleas
,,rable irritation OF the organs OF sight
and hearing Even that amazing song,
Win dares the bronco Wild defy
WHO looks the mustang I'm the eyer
Fearless and bold
Their master behold!
Ale.
500 where the bull upon his knees
snorts when his neck We tighter squeeze.
Wild are his eyes