The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-03
'0RFEO Ed EURIDICE'
AT METROPOLITAN
Nine. Homer Heard Once More
in Her Most Success
full Role.
PERFORMANCE EXCELLENT
Gluck's Opera Reproduced in a
Manner Worthy Of
Praise.

Gluck's 'Orfeo ed Eurldice' had its
first performance OF the current season
at the Metropolitan Opera House last
evening The occasion served to give
Nine. Homer her second appearance OF the
winter and 20 allow her to present once
more the impersonatlon In which she
has gained her greatest success. This
representation might easily be made the
subject OF serious discussion II anything
were to be gained by II. Nine. Homer
excites admiration for what she ac-
composites. which Is much indeed. and
yet the repr, sentation OF Orjeo by q
woman raises qu.s tions in some minds.
1t ought to DE remembered. however. that
the role was written for the famous male
soprano. Gaoetano Guadagni. who was one
OF the operate idols Of Europe In his day.
and that Gluck rewrote the part for the
Partisan production for the high tenor
Legros. What was more, the composer
was false TO some Of his own doctrines In
that he Introduced for this singer orna-
mental passages and other features out
OF keeping with the character.
Except for the fact that Guadagni was
"A man. his delivery OF the music could
not have been radically different from
that OF q woman. He was originally a
contralto. studied the finish OF his art
with the great Giz.ello and acting under
no less a master than Garrick. who took
the deepest interest in forming him
Burney tells us that In 1859 he had an
ticipated the methods of tO-dsy's con-
traltos by transforming himself into a
soprano The author says his voice was
not as good in It's new state. His princi-
pal effects were in unaccompanied pas
sagcs and In diminuendi Of Pachmanlike
dele ..
o.. .uc other hand. he was n man OF
fine figure. OF handsome and mobile coun-
and attitude. HIS style OF singing was
generally very delicate. polished and
refined" Perhaps after all when q
woman sings Oreo we come nearer to
hearing the part AS Gluck originally con-
ceivcd IL than we would II II were handed
over TO tenor. Certainly we would
nave some difficulty In dec ding whether
we would prefer "A male contralto or So
prano to woman
Since the conventions OF the modern
stage SO often ask US to accept women
in male parts and since We are willing
to do no despite the want OF illusion there
Is something TO be said In favor OF hear
ing Gluck's music with the quality OF
tone the nearest possible In our day to
that In which he conceived II.
That Nine Homer sings this music
with splendid dignity OF style and with
feeling has often been noted. She never
sang II better than she did last night.
Especially broad and dramatic was her
delivery Of the interpreted "Divinitss du
Styx Her plastic pose and gesture
again added to the beauty of her imper-
sonatlon.
The other members Of the cast were
the same az heretofore. Nine Gadski as
Eurtdice, Miss Sparkes as Amore and
Miss Case as the Happy Shade were all
worthy OF praise. The choruses we're
well done and the dances were effective,
Mr. Toscanini conducted. and his intelli-
gence and sympathy pervaded the entire
performance.
There was not much evidence Of the
Lenten season In the audience. Mrs Van
derbilts guests were Prince and Princess
Aymon DO Faucigny Lucinge and Mr. and
Mrs r. Egerton Webb.
Mr.. and Mrs, Henry Waters Taft and
Mr.. and Mrs. George w. Wicksrsham
were with Mr.. and Mrs August Belmont
Mrs. Samuel Newhouse of London was
with Mr. and Mrs Edmund L. Baylies.
The Brasilian Ambassador and Nina d