New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-19
NATIONALISM
SEEN IN OPERA
Italianized Egypt and I'm
sophisticated Russia
aida" and "Prince Igor"
BY II. f. KREHBIEL

There were two performances at the
Metropolitan Opera House yesterday
both OF them designed TO describe his
torical Incidents, and therefore to IL
lustrate national life. But the operas
differed from each other greatly
AIDA" given in the evening. the crea-
ton OF a master lyric dramatist in the
prime Of his powers, deals with an
ancient Egyptian subject; but barring
a few touches OF conventional Oriental
colors, in temple chorus. and ballet,
its language is that Of modern, sophis.
ticated Italy. prince Igor" given IN
the afternoon, written by Russian
who was by vocation physician and
only by avOcatlOn o musician, treats
story supposed TO be more than NIL
lennium later in time, with actors be
longing to a people whose history Is
yet actively making. The former IS
finished product of art, the latter liti.l
more than fruit of empirlcism; but
there was something in the opposition
of the two works which TO a student o.
the history Of music gave peculiar
?
work.
"Prince Igor" had its first American
performance at the Metropolitan on
December 80 of last year. Between tnal
time and the end OF the season 1t had
half dozen representations-as many
as the rule Of rotation practlsed oy the
management allowed. There was
scarcely an opportunity 70 study the
attitude of the public toward it, for It
was heard each time by practically a
new audience There was no thought oil
political oppcrtunism in the produc-
ton, for IL had been planned FOR year
before and before there was thought
outside of the minds OF scheming
diplomstists and professional mihtar-
lists Of the war which is now devsstat-
ing Europe.
The success OF another Russian
oDera. Boris Godounof," II was that
turned the eyes of the management
upon Borodn's opera. But there was
something like fatality IN the GOMEZ
denee nevertheless. The spirit OF ma
tionalism was in the air when Farls
end London reach out for an expression
OF Russian art. The spirit OF musica.
nationalism was in the air. though not
consciously recognized lt IS coming
TO complete recognition now, along WIN
other forms Of national expression. war
is doing something else for music than
throwing the support Of multitude OF
its nractitiouers upon the United States.
II the swfrlest and wickedest war that
tho world has ever seen; but by 1t ma
lions are TO be reshaped and ancient
peoples restored TO ancient birthrights
Racial traits Of vast antiquity are 20
be brought out of darkness into hght
and a new spirit made to inform ano
reform music, as well as literature ana
the other arts. 1t is not chance that
is at work here, but great law, great
need and great force. Inc wotid
needs q new spirit, and all the world
activities demand new purpose ana Il
new voice. Amongst the arts music
stands in greatest need of an intel
lectual and ethical revolution, regen-
GRAFTON of the spirit which first created
il. And it is TO receive it as its herit-
age OF the present divine blood-lettIng.
1t is possible that a consciousness OF
this will penetrate even our opera-go
ing public and create appreciation OF
such music as that which vitaliZes the
most characteristic parts of prince
Igor" Yesterdays audience seemed
more deeply stirred by the vulgar
scene in the courtyard and the wild
Tartar dances of the third act, in
which the expressive potentiality OF
Russian music is exhibited, than by
the romantic music which fails to
strike fire because it Is not native
expression. The people concerned in
the performance were those Of last
seas on's representatives. except tina.
MIR. Althouse assumed the part Of
Vladimir, which last season was Mr.
Botta's. In it Mr.. Althouse has ac-
ouired a role which Is likely to bring
him almost as much credit as that Of
the imperial pretender in Moussorg-
sky's opera.
The evenings performance OF aida"
was one of the spirited affairs Gus
tomary to Saturday nights. with an oc-
casional disagreement between singers
and instrumentalists, due, perhaps, to
the presence of Mr.. Papi in the con-
ductor's chair. There was an abun-
dance Of enthusiasm on the stage, as
we'll as in the audience room, which
was crowded. Nine. Homer and Signor
/ Martintell poured out their fine voices
lavishly and easily led the perform
J ance.