The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
MONTENEGRO OPERA
AT METROPOLITAN
"LAmorc del Ire Re" Brought
Forward Once More With
Approval.
PERFORMANCE WAS G00D

Italo Montemezzgs three act opera
"I.Ampre del Ire Re" was performed
Al the Metropolitan Opera House last
evening for the first time this season
This lyric drama was produced here on
January of last year and had five per
foriNnces before the close OF the season.
This was one for each subscription night
and the matinee. The opera might have
had one or two extra performances but
there Is no disposition on the part Of the
present impresario 10 endanger by over
work the value of novelty as per
man.nt item IN the repertoire Of the
house.
The impression made by "LAmore del
Ire Re" last winter was one to encour-
age ali who have the best interests of
italian opera at heart. The public re-
cclved the thrilling lyric drama with en-
phatic approval, and there was frequent
expression OF the hope that the young
composer would soon give US another
creation.
\ report has been current that he
would make an operate version of La
Cena dele Beffe,' another tragedy BY
. Sem Benefit. author of "LAmore del
Ire Re-" and generally regarded in Italy
as his masterpiece. This report may be
well grounded, but n Is at least prema-
ture II is safe to say that the next
work by Montemezzi to be made known
here Cpr1bably In the season after neXD
Will be his setting of Rostands "Prin-
cesss Lointalne" II is hoped that the
first performance on any stage Will be
the production AT the metropolitan and
that the young composer VIII be present
Meanwhile the record OF this morning
/ is that "L,Amore del Tire Re- having
/ been held back till its utility in the
/ iepertOry would be greatly Increased by
I the approaching departure OF Mr. Ca
russo was brought forward once more by
the artists engaged In It's Interpretation
last season.
Edouardu Ferrari- Fontana returned 10
The local stage TO assume the role OF
AritO, which he created In Italy, Miss
Bori, as Flora Mr. Amdto, rs Nan
trCdo; Mr.. Didur, as ArchtbdidO, and
SIR. Bada, as Fidminio, were the prin-
cipals, and Mr.. Toscanini occupied the
conductors chair. The opera was again
received with demonstrations OF approval
and its grip upon the audience was I'M
m!stakable.
None the less does 1t seem advisable
to invite renewed attention to the great
artistic merit Of this work, II - seldom
indeed that operagoers have the OPP
pOrtunity 10 enjoy novelty when
unites in such "A brilliantly succession
manner qualities commanding critical
respect with those certain TO BID ioi
popularity The story is intensely ORA
matte and is told with expert theatrical
craft combined with vivid poetic imagl'
nation. The music is rich in pure
melodic beauty and II possesses aris
tocratic character, while at the same
time il furnishes "A perfect lyric medium
for the publication OF the emotions Of
the drama.
Simplicity OF style marks Monte
meals art, but IL Is a simplicity which
is the product Of an extremely ma
talent, guided by highly developed
Intelligence. The technical skill in thi
score is OF a brilliant type, yet there
is not page which does not seen
to be free from the smell of the lamp
strong, spontaneous and thorough!
dramatic utterance liz Montemezzls, anI
IL will be strange II this opera, so ele
mental in It's moods and so free iron
mannersm in its musical speech, doe
not hold the stage for long time.
The performance of last evening di'
not differ In any material respect iron
it's predecessors. The principals re
} peated .heir admirable impersOnatun
OF last season with no sgpltican
changes m purpos, or method Ia &c
gard 10 the tonal qualities OF the pres
ontatlon there may be more to sa
after the first repetition At presen
, the only one which calls for specia
| mention is tendency on the part Q