New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
MASSENET'S'M ANON'
At METROPOLITAN
Miss Farrar in Title Part
Gives Her Usual Fine
representation.

Massenets "Manon," the chef d'puvre
of French operate water colors, was
sung last night for the first time
this season at the Metropolitan Opera
House. "Manon" has become one Of
the most popular works given at the
Metropolitan. 1t was not SO, except
when Jean de Reszke sang Des Grieux,
in days gone by. Sybil Sanderson,
whose Manon has never been replaced
in the hearts of the dwe,lers on the
Seine, brought to the opera no great
popularity when she carried IL 10 her
native land; even Miss Geraldine Far
rar, who sang the part last night, was
unable to win much greater favor for
IL when she first appeared in the part
five years ago, unaided then by the
potent name Of Enrico Caruso. The
Tenor of the Golden Voice is all con-
quering, and it is 20 him, and perhaps a
little 90 Mr.. Toscanini, that we owe
"Manon's' presence in the repertory.
Therefore. we must neither cavll nor
regret. Yet five years ago we listened
TO a Des Grieux who had stepped out
of the pages Of the Able Provost; who
i'm delivery Of song, in distinction OF
bearing. i'm grace of movement, was all
that Des GrieuX should be. Edmond
Clement was that Des Grleux, but all
his exquisite art was pOwerless against
the veto of popular indifference. En-
rico Caruso, for all his golden voice
and for all his sincerity, will never be
that ideal Dcs GrieuX; yet the public
rD @ q
vorite operas. Great IS the power OF
the Golden Voice
But Of Miss Farrar's impersonation
there can be no two beliefs, II is per
haps the most perfect thing she has
accomplished. and, though last night
she was a flower whose petals OF pas
forgive her that What indeed can we
not forgive, for her picture OF youth,
and beauty, and winsomeness and sweet
fragility? If in Manon's veins flowed
not the dark wine Of the Puritans, II
she was a flower whose pedals of pas
sion were blown out upon hundred
different winds, her tragic fate leaves
her none the less lovable. In her the
Abbe Provost summed up an age eX-
ouisite in its artifciality, heartless,
cruel. vet because Of its perfection or
form ever TO be longed for, and per
haps never 20 be attained again ne
Cerberus Of democracy viii probably
guard US from any such invasion, just
as democracy without the ioadstone OF
a popular tenor will probably guard
most opera houses from "Manon." But
"Manon" remains a masterwork OF lts
kind, even if that kind sups not with
the gods on Olympus.
Mr.. CarusO sang valiantly as Des
Grieux, and if the result was not
French 10 pleased TO distraction the
large audience Antonio Scott sang
Lescaut for the first time in FIVE
wears and made Of the bravo
n vital, humorous blackguard. Mr..
Rothier gave distinction 10 lie Comic
des Grieux and sang his one air
finely. As for Mr.. Toscanini-well he
is Mr.. Toscanini-and in saying this
we give the law and most Of the
prophets. This was the cast:
Marou Leecaut. ......... -befadhe faffh
pou.srfts .Ie'oia npai h'a
fa4OIfr sl''i' fia'
U0sfttr VI ali" ~. l''
ia trrfaHfH. .'ih.ie ,,"feh
H., crf-i.r Observation-Disclosures. Lurlc0 Cargs1
f....uf ...................A tonic Scott
T.. C,,rt. fas Grieur Leon Rothicr
GliIDL s.-..... A.ntit h'i'
fstt.t..I'- ............. .Pa0l0 Auaulau
G@1r Garde. .Ninceuz1 Hcschiglan. BernaFa Bfgut