The sun., 1916-11-14
SUPERB AUDIENCE
FILLS THE HOUSE
Display of Jewels Is En-
traordinary-BTuc Su-
preme in towns


The season Of opera began at the Met.
ropolitan opera House last evening with
all the familiar manifestations of public
interest. Fabulous prices had hccn paid
Tor seats to forchandcd spectators.
Small fortunes had been expended in the
preparation Of frocks destined to blend
IN the myriad splcrdors OF the glittcring
horseshoe. People who had not heard
a note of all the musical entertainments
given since early in October had sud-
denly become aware that there was Il
musical season.
The Metropolitan Opera House was
packed Till its yellow walls bulscd with
a vast throng of Caruso worshippers. all
hled with JOY because they were once
more to hear the golden voice. II was
an audience representative Of many sides
Of New Iork's active life. but chiefly of
lie social circle.
II was an audience with curiosity slim
ulated because y new opera was offered
and the favoritcs tenor was To MARBLE
rev tunes. Every one In the house was
sitting up and wondering whether he was
going to like the new music. II not. then
back 10 'Pagliacc.."
CaIvc Gone, aruso Here.
The work selected by General Manager
Gatti-Casazza for his first performance
was Les Pccheurs de Perles' opera in
three acts. the book by j.. Cormon and
Michel Carrie. music by Georges Bizet.
composer of Carmen" Two acts OF tho
work had been given by Maurice Grau
with Emma Calye as Leila, but without
any demand for repetition. Times have
rhappsd caiNa has rpne . t'nrngn has
come.
From Carmen to LES pccheurs de
Ferries Is a steep descent. Therefore
no long and eruditc discussion of the
novelty Is required. The story agitates
itself about highly decorative fisher folk
who dwell on an East indian island and
worship that singular species OF Brahma
found only in operate archipelagoes. 1t
is the custom of these anglers to choose
a King. operate monarchs are usually
BASES unless OF great importance in the
story. as in LA Favorita." So in this
case the barytone. Zurgd, gets the nomi-
nation.
Then comes Nodir. who has been long
absent and Is affectiondteiy welcomed
BY Zur0d. The next step is the entrance
OF Leila, an oriental vestal who has Of
fered to accept the office OF protecting
the fishermen from storms and evil
spirits by the simple process Of being
perfectly good and incessantly praying.
Unfortunately both Zur0d and Nadir
love her. though she has been long alb
sent and they do not at once recognize
her In her veil.
What follows Is inevitable. The recog-
milton ensues. Act l.. ends with a love
duet for Leila and Nddir. In the second
act they have another. but this time
Nourabdd, who. being a priest. represents
the law. discovers them and summons
'he fisher king. Zur0d. who at once sus-
pends the death sentence In order to
save his friend .NoG!r. but on learning
VINO the girl is becomes madly jealous
and delivers the tenor to the people and
the sopraSs to the priests. Misericord!a .
Triumph OF Love.
IN the third act Zuron repents. and
after discovering that Leila was the fair
unknown who once saved his life IN
years long gone. sets fire to the village
70 draw away tine inhabitants who are
p~rancing around Nadir, tied to II stake
and about to be slain. Zur0d frees him
and is himself killed. while the lovers
depart singing again their love duet.
II is a practical opera libretto. fur
nishing sufficient action. quite enough
plot. well defined emotional situations
/suited 10 musical expression and inviting
suggestions OF local color. The last item
!s of doubtful value. particularly In the
case Of Bizet. who vas always chasing
the phantom. Only once did he give II
real substance. and that was In car
men when he defined it's signiicanc,
b" contrasting il with elegant opera
conique melodies OF unqucst!oned French
origin.
In Les Pecheurs de Perles" the loca
color is laid on In spots. II pursues IN,
ballet dancers with untiring eagernoss
Exit Ballet Russo. enter Ballet Ind'enne
y speaks In the invocation Of silva 10y
Leila. It breaths again when Nddtl
from a distance carols OF "the slumbcr'
ing flower of love-" assisted. according L
the stage directions. by "A gusla. on'
hears Orientalism in the forid sweeps
o! his song. as one had already hearc
something OF it In the air of Leila. =.
But the Eastern touches in the scor'
signify little. The opcragoer will barrel,
notice them. The chief question then Il
whether the music is generally captivat
ing, Perhaps it can best he described "a
pleasing. There are a few beautiful
passages. and all Is melodious. Tn
voices have singable measures to de
liver and the orchestration. always vel
co!ored. is never obtrusive
Ballet Is Well written.