The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-02
MASCAGNI'S IRIS
AT METROPOLITAN
Opera Revived Brilliantly
After Seven Years Of
Retirement.
BORI AS JAPANESE GIRL

Mascagnis Iris" was revived al the
Metropolitan Opera House last night
with apparently more prospects OF being
received into popular favor than 1t had
when II was given here on previous oe-
casions. The work was first heard in
this country in Philadelphia and in
New York II was introduced by the
composer at the Metropolitan on Octo-
Der IS. 1902, In a disastrous season mis-
managed by himself. Mr.. Conried re-
Nived 1t In the season OF 10000 for
the qualification OF Nine Emma Eames.
who was enamored of the title role. Mr..
Caruso and Mr.. Scott were associated
with her in the production, but the pub
lie remained cold.
Iris is an ambitious work and per-
haps flies In regions somewhat too rsri-
ned FOR stage purposes. Certainly II Is
exceedingly difficult to make the mechan.
ism Of the lyric drama support the
complication of emotion. philosophy and
craft which unite in the story of the
play The story is tragic. and II stripped
OF its poetic and symbolic decorations
might lend Itself 20 direct expression.
1t has its points OF excellence and there
are pages which barely miss greatness
The action consists OF the attempt OF
hyoto. yellow SLAYER, to deliver the
| innocent Iris to the lust OF Osaka, a
roue. There is an imposing choral pro-
logu6 representing the sun as proclaim
/ ing II am life. I am light. I am the
infinite beauty" When Iris appears we
learn that she is engrossed in a doll
A puppet play is acted In which the
maiden Dhai is wooed by Jor. the son
OF the Sun, impersonated by Osaka
Geisha dancers presently surround Iris
and suddenly she IL seized and carried
| away.
In the second act we find her in a
/ palace OF vice. Osaka comes to WOO
but finds her so innocent that he loses
all interest In her. Kyoto now places
/ her on the balcony. hoping that hei
/ beauty may draw custom. Her blind
father, who believes that she went ava,
willingly. appears and curses her
/ whereupon she throws herself into 9
| sewer
! Her body is found by ragpickers and
she ievives sufficiently to ask the pro
/ foundest OF all Japanese questions
! Why? The voices OF Osaka and KvotC
answer rcr with brutal truths. Their
the sun chorus returns and Iris gets q
glimpse of paradise as she passes away
In the beginning and the ending OF
! this opera nights play almost as i'm
! portant part "a they do in Scriahine
! Poem Of Fire and a more significant
one. a; the frs. production OF tn,
{ opera this matter was lamentably bad
/ In Mr.. Conrieds 1t was better. as
evening ii was admirable. hut after all
just as in the Scriabne affair, the mus,
Is NOR" important than he lights. Tn,
sun episode IL treated with massive .f
I fects and reminds one OF the prologue 81
/ Boito's "Mefistofele." The picturesqi,
value and theatrical brilliance OF thi.
! part Of the score are noteworthy.
The composer has treated the lyrl'
parts of his opera In much the sam,
style as he employs I'm his other operas
but he has not reached the directnes'
and real tragic note OF his Cavaliers
| Rustlcana." The music Of Iris" /:
very sIngshle and AT times II becomes
genuinely beautiful. but II fails for wan
I Of Clearness ~ design and for lack u
Z ch1ra cterization. \ more serious dis
cussion of the creation may be set asid'
for the present. II 1t shall seem '- h
worth while something more may he sal,
I after "A second performance.
II seems more TO the purpose th
morning TO consider certain qualities o
last evenings representation. I, hai
been necessary on many previous occd
sions TO invite attention to the results
brought about by competent couductin!
Of an opera. but seldom have they called
for more note than in the present in
stance. Mr.. Toscanini has LITERAL!
transformed Iris"
1t will probably never be regarded n
work of the first importance. but /
has grown greatly through an intelli
gent disclosure of its content, and thi
is due first OF all 20 Mr.. Toscanni's at
tention TO detail. The nice adjus,men
OF every phrase in the parts, both In
strumental and vocal the broad view o
developments and the unerring plan o
the climaxes published adequately al
that is excellent--as well as all that 4
impotent--n this ambitious score.
Mr.. Toscanini was fortunate in hay
ing the cooperation OF good operate i'm
personators in Miss Bort as Iris, Mr.
Scott as Ryoto. and MIR. Didur as III
blind father. Mr.. Bo,ta as Osaka Wa
The weak member OF the cast. hut his i'm
personation was commendabl for II
sincerity and for some well sung pas
sages. Miss Bori was lovely to see
interesting In her action, and sang he
music for the most part beautifully
The chorus had been admirably tra!ne
and the orchestra thoroughly rehearsed
The scenery was only tolerable.