The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-31
First Performance of Gil
ordano's Work Puts
Metropolitan on Level
With Opera Houses of
Europe in Field Of
World Production of
Novelties
ny W. ,. HENDERSON.

. T. this moment II may be well
~ to coll the attention OF some
sceptics on the other side OF
the western ocean to certain musical
conditions which exist In this coun-
try. It IL an incontestable fact that
because Of the war several opera houses
in the United States are closed. II Is
equally true that at the best of times
the activities Of the musical life of this
country do not centre in the opera house
as they do in most places in Europe.
There are numerous reasons for this,
but a want Of public interest in opera
as an entertainment is not the chief
OF them. The people Of this country
have been trained for many years to
regard opera "a an expensive and luxu-
rious form of music which cannot he
properly presented except 10y singers Of
thu foremost position aided by "A COM
petent chorus and "A good orchestra.
The prevailing European method OF
giving opera with mediocre of bad sing
ers together with a fairly good chorus
and competent orchestra will not do
here. For that reason every little town
or city does not have an opera house,
which II might have even without gov
ernmeutal support Cas in Eurape) it
its inhabitants really desired It.
ON the other hand music is heard all
over this tolcrably wide land and ther,
Is an intelligent interest in It I'm quar-
tors where Europeans would not sus-
pect its existence outside Of New
York one finds that Boston. Philadel-
pha. st. Louis 81. Pau, Minneapolis
Chicago. san Francisco and several
other cities have symphony orchestras
which present the worlds best music to
audiences Of we'll prepared hearers
Choral societies are tolerably numerous
throughout the country and small con-
certs and recitals are given in vast
numbers.
In addition to these items Of sgnifi-
canoe It T. now to be added that while
We a. present have only one opera
house In business Il has proved itself to
he thoroughly equipped institution
competent TO undertake the first pro-
duction Of new works by composers
either native or foreign.
The first performance of AN opera on
any stage Is far more formidable I'M
dertalSing than the first performance in
America after Europe's hearings. In
the latter case the tradition of the work
has already been established. its tempt
are known, its stage business elaborated
and all its details fitted together in n
harmonious whole.
But the production Of an entirely new
work is another matter. Ii Is the GUS
tom of the theatre to speak of such or
snch an actor as having created such a
role. In the case Of a new opera all the
roles have 20 be created: the choruscs
have 10 he created: the Interpretation
OF the Instrumentation the adiustmant
OF the various tempt and notifications
of them to the shifting moods and ac-
tons: the stage business. the lighting.
the costuming. the mise-en-s scene, in
short, the opera i'm its entirety, must he
created.
II is a considerable contract Yet the
Metropolitan Opera House. under the in
telligent management OF Giullo Gatti-
Casazza and the artistic musical direc-
tlon of Arturo TosCanini has taken it's
place among the producing opera houses
of the world. The several native works
which have been brought forward there
demanded Just as much knowledge of
the tcchnic OF the lyric theatre as those of
foreign origin. We must not forget that
the American operas. though they have
not held the stage. were introduced 10
us with artistic attention to all details.
Those who care to do so can readily re-
call the completeness of the productions
Of The Pipe of Desire" Mona" "Cy-
rano' and others
That European composers have not
FASTENED 70 offer their works TO the
Metropolitan is not matter calling for
any profound explanation. Despite the
reports carried back by singers and
others employed in our opera house, the
deeply grounded sceptlclsm of Europe
as To the actual state OF art and learn
Ing in this country remains Any one
who has travelled much in Europ,
knows perfectly well that it is rare
experience to meet with any European
possessing any real information about
this country. There is a vague general