New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-23
TWO OPERAS SUNG
AT METROPOLITAN
Wagner and MontemeZzi
Share Daytime. Kurt
Appears as Kundry.

From Richard Wagner 70 1talo Mon
temezzi may seem at first thought
long journey 20 be accomplished dur
ing the course Of single afternoon
and evening, yet the road Is straight
one. II "Parsifal" is music drama,
so mono the less Is "L'Amore del
Ire Re-" and II the great German were
living there are many who believe that
he would recognize in the young Italian
a not unworthy exponent OF the ideas
which found their apotheosis In the
theatre at Bayreuth.
Lahore del Tire Re-" as created by
Benelli, is a powerful and imaginative
drama; poetic in expression, richly
wrought yet simple in ornament, in
formed with the true spirit of tragedy.
At times in its directness of appeal, in
its sense of the inscrutable imminence
Of fate it has almost the feeling of
the old Greek tragedy; while in the
humanity of its characters and the
pathos Of its story there is something
positively Shakespearian.
To this libretto, libretto peculiarly
suited to musical treatment, the COM
poser has written music which flowers
spontaneously from the words them
selves. The melodic line is as simple
as the story and as beautiful, the COM
poser proving always faithful to his
Italian heritage, the heritage of beauty
which refuses to believe that power can
be produced only by the aid Of dsso-
nance and ugliness.
In the whole OF "L'Amore del Ire
Re" there is not an ugly note, and yet
the opera held last nights audience, as
il had held its predecessor, in a grip
almost breathless in its intensity. Al
times last night one was almost forced
to believe that young Verdi had al
last vouchsafed to appear among us;
and, in truth, "L'Amore del Ire Re-
has in 1t not little of the spirit that
recreated in music Shakespeare:
."0tello." Perhaps Italo Montemezzi is
to prove the Samson who will break
from the limbs of Young Italy the
shackles of the Veritists.
The same artists who created thu
opera in America sang again last night
Edoardo Ferrari-Fontana sang Avitt
and made of the character a vital no
mantle figure, while Miss Boris Fiori
OHSt ilOlt utlIBHbtu DONH ahu col
Adamo Didur's Archibald has strength
ened since last season, and now thu
blind king Is a true symbol of tragi
portent Mr.. Amatos Manfredo is no
one of the Italian barytone's happies
creations, but it is sincere, and hi
voice is ever a delight. Mr.. Toscanin
conducted with his usual delicacy AM
power.
The "Parsifal" Of the afternoon in
troduced TO us a new Kundry in thu
person Of Nine. Melenie Kurt. Nine
Kurt again proved that in her the Met
ropolitan has gained an artist of grea
value. She suggested admirably thu
enigmatic quality of the character, anC
especially in the temptation scene SAM
with rare expression and musical feel
ing. Praise, too, must be given (
Mr.. Sembach for his admirable enact
ment of the title part, and TO Clarence
Whitehill for his Amfortas.
Mr.. Hertz conducted and threw int
his work all his love and understanding
of the spirit of the work which he wa'
the first conductor to make known t
America. Needless to say, the audienc
was large and appreciative.