The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-31
MEYERBEER OPERA
AT METROPOLITAN
lies HuguenOts" Sung in Ital-
ian and in Variety Of
Styles.
THE ENSEMBLE ADMIRABLE

Meyerbeers opera 'Tes Huguenots"
was surg at the Metropolitan opera
House last evening. Tho work was not
given last season, but was heard several
times in the course OF tho season of
1923 Soma of those engaged In last
evenings representation were concerned
in the doings of the previous ones. notably
Mr.. Caruso. Mr. Scott. Mr.. BRAUN. Mr..
Rothia-. Nine Destinn and Miss Heinpel.
Bella Alien. who exhibited some extraor-
binary IDEAS of Urbano. tho pretty page.
was replaced by Mabel Garrison. a new
member OF the company. Mr.. polacco. of
whom little has been heard this winter.
conducted.
Serious discussion OF the music Of LES
Huguenots' is hardly required now.
Most operagoers are familiar with the
work and know its merits and it's defects.
II has many of the elements u popular
ity. 1t abounds in spectacular features.
both visible and audible. Meyerbeer was
"A cunning craftsman and ne unders' God
Thoroughly the Importance OF contrast
and variety These are provided very
literally in Les Huguenots" and further
more in this opera the composer reached
the high water mark OF his creative in
SEPARATION.
There are therefore some really effec-
tive and some even grea; pages IN this
score. and for the sake of these the sins
OF the composer have long been forgiven
1t Is hard to listen In patience to such
unblushing trash as the ballet music and
the stun which IL associated with the
Queen In her first scene. ON the other
hand the soldier song OF Marcel has
certain rude force. the benediction OF the
poignards IL skilfully written and in the
duet OF Valentine and Rdoui Meyerbeer
was for the moment genuinely dramatic
master.
The success of the opera with the audi
ences of to-day depends chiefly upon the
singing OF the principals. Les Hugue-
nots' requires seven artists Of the first
rank TO do I; justice. This as the British
are wont to say. is "a tall order" II II
not filled at the Metropolitan At present.
chiefly because II cannot h. filed any
where. Last nights performance had
some solid merits. but IL cannot fairly be-
said that the several representations when
taken separately offered anything Of sig
nal brlliance.
The hest effects Of the evening were
those of the ensembles. which were full
of spirit and color. There was mucn
dramatic warmth in the places where 1t
was possible and Mr.. Polacco kept his
forces both on the stage and IN the or
went well. The po!gnards were success
fully blessed and the great duet found
Nine. Dcs,inn and Mr.. Caruo ready Tor
its demands
But no C~lm observer would he likely
to see in Nine. Destinn an adequate
representative OF Valentine. nor in Niss
HcI;pc! I. Satisfying SINCE 81 tho CoioTa-
ture OF Marguerite de IaioiS As for the
Page. this important role was entrusted
To Mabel Garrison. a young American
who has just become member OF the
company. She sang her music very well
for young an artist bu. she has not
the voice. the experience nor the style
demanded by the role she promises ex-
tremely well. but she is not ripe for lead
ing parts at what is SID 10 be the lead
!aE opera house ~ 'he world.
Mr.. Cdruso sang Rdorl with Vigor. with
devotion and FOR the most part with good
tone hu; the great |. allan t.Nqy il not
AT his best IN French music. nor is he an
ideal impersorator Of Courtly pcrsoragcs
Mr. Sco.u as ne Ncrcrs and Mr. Rothier
rs 81. Bris were NOR. In the picture, but
the former sang iH"ffec' ivc,y by reason
OF poverty Of tone. Mr.. Ro;her's singing
was convcn;iona,ly correct.
or M. Braun's Marcel only this need
be said Just now: Although sung In Ital-
ian In French opera, Il was wholly
German in manner, and thus added an
other type 10 a co!lection already mo. .cN.
When tho Metropolitan company sang
in Paris Pierre Lalo wrote sons caust'c
comments on the diversity OF manners
and the general want OF style lie would
have smiled II he had enjoyed the add
;-on OF Mr. Braun's Marcel TO tho other
portraits. But, nevertheless. this is
striking and in most respects admirable
Improvisation. and II Mr. Brauu's vocal
premises are accepted II becomes ore of
tho most important IN the Metropolitan
preseutat ion OF the opera.