New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-05
DEBUTANTE IN
OPERA SCORES
FINE SUCCESS
Signorina Muzio Wins Her
Audience in "Tosca' at
the Metropolitan
BY II. r. KREHBIEL.

The appearance OF a young, talented
and beautiful singer in the ranks OF
the Metropolitan Opera Company last
night and the obvious interest felt in
her debut by her associates acted as
an inspiration at the first performance
this season Of Puccini's "Tosca." I'm
fortunately the Inspiration vented IT.
self in the case Of Signor Polacco IN
a disclosure Of common conception
nowadays. that emotional intensity
has its chief expression in loudness,
and so, along with fine exposition Of
the force and beauty OF Sardou's play
and Puccni's melodramatic music, We
had an uncomfortable amount Of
musical rudeness against which the
newcomer had to strive. to the detri-
ment of what we are disposed to
Chink are the best Of the fine accom-
plishments and gifts which she pos.
sesses.
The newcomer was Signorina Claudia
Muzio, 10 some extent. as her story
told in the newspapers last Sunday, a
product of the local operate stage. The
young artist disclosed herself as obvi-
ously a product Of the modern Italian
school, but as yet comparatively un-
spoiled. She has youth and comeli.
ness on her side; but they are not Of
her making, admirable and advanta-
geous as they are going to be to her
IN her career.
Voice OF Real Singer
What is more 10 the purpose is that
she has a voice that is warm and sym
pathetic IN quality, responsive to emo
tional impulse. ample in volume and
much more powerful in appeal because
of its timbre when produced without
a straining for vulgar theatrical eff
feet than when forced to contend
against the exaggerated pathos in the
high pitched key of passion that pre-
vailed at last nights representation.
To the tips of her fingers the young
woman is an actress; plastic in pose
and gesture, unconsciously conscious
/ of what is essential 10 show forth the
innermost of the character which sh,
is impersonating. Had she not beer
overwhelmed by the strenuous con
/ ception of the conductor it would have
! been possible TO say to-day. what will
| probably be said in sober truth befor'
| the end of the season, that in hel
/ Floria Tosca she has added another
/ portrait 10 the small gallery of truly
representative dramatic character:
which the Metropolitan institution ha:
/ placed on exhibition during the genera
/ tion in which it has been in existence
Some Other Portraits
One of those portraits Mr. Scott
/ held up TO popular and critical OBJ
servation last night. Some Of the
/ others are Terminals Tosca, Niemann''
/ Siegmund, Jean de Reszke's Romeo
Marianne Brandt's Ortrud, Miss Far
rar's Goose Girl and Lilli Lehmann''
/ Sieglnde. The list is not complete. but
/ such as il is it is cited 20 indicate the
/ character Of the expectations which
Signorina Muzzio's performance
I aroused last night.
Splendid to a degree was the co
operation of Signor Caruso and Signol
/ Scott in the success of their youthful
associate. Neither of the gentlemen
/ ever put finer bit of work TO hi
| credit, and theirs was the satisfaction
| of seeing the newcomer win triumph
/ the like of which has not been seen a.
/ the Metropolitan since Miss Bori frs
/ sang in "L'Amore del tire Re"