New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-10

Il was quite new when it was first
heard in New York. but it mad already
given rise to considerable theatrical
gossip, not to say scandal. The first
representation took place at the Opera
Comique in April, 1888, with Miss Ma
RE Van Zandt, an American girl, the
daughter of a singer who had been
actively successful in English opera in
New York and London, as creator Of
the part Of the heroine. The opera
won a pretty triumph and so did the
singer. At once there was talk of a
New York performance Nine. Etelka
Cerster studied the titu'ar role with
VI. Delibes and, as a member of Colonel
Napleson's company az the Academy of
Music, confidently expected TO produce
.he work -here in the season of 1888
"a. the first season Of the rivalry be
tween the Academy and The Metropoh-
tan Opera House. which had just
opened its doors; but though she went
so far as 20 offer 10 buy the American
performing rights from Heugel, the
publisher. nothing came of il. The rea-
son was easily guessed by those who
knew that there had bee". or was pend
ing. n quarrel between Colonel Maple
son and VI Heugel concerning the IN
authorized use by the impresario Of
other scores owned by the publisher.
During the same season, however,
Miss Emma Abbott carried version
,or rather a perversionI Of the opera
for which the orchestral parts had been
arranged from the pianoforte score into
the cities Of the West, and brought
down n deal Of unmer-cd criticism on
the innocent head Of ~ Delbes. In
the season of 1ss4-'85 Colonel Maple
son came back 20 the Academy with
vouchers Of various sorts 20 back up
a promise 20 give the opera. There
was human voucher p the person Of
Miss Emma Nevada. who mad also en-
loved the instruction Of the composer
and who had trunkfuls and trunkfuls
and trunkfuls Of Oriental dresses.
though L0tp6 needs but few. There
49,. e.. eo~ .ta Rri--
W. --,.i..~. .bo 80 ,~.icle each
..o-r.. co.- and overv -o7 boot having
piece Of history attached. and models
Of the scenery which any doubling
Thomas Of a newspaper reporter might
;,srec. f. no felt so disposed. When
+.o redoYb+abIe colonel came it was
% no only a matter OF week or so
l,ofo-a Tho onera would be put or the
-+s,., in tho tnos+ Of STYLES: II was still
80 NJ o. week or 30 when the
A.,d.-,.. season came % I'm end. When
r..5os.. eyeu. site and exotic music
reached hearing In the American me-
-ronofs it was sung 20 English words.
and the most emphatic success achieved
in performance was the acrobatic one
of Nine. L'Allemand as she rolled down
some uncaued for pagoda steps in the
death scene.
Nine Adelina Patti was the second
LGlue heard in New York. After the
fifth season Of German opera at the
Metropolitan Opera House had come
20 an end in the spring Of 1890 Aessrs.
Abbey and Grau took the theatre Tor
short season Of Italian opera By
troupe headed by Nine. Patti. IN tnAi
season "Lakmt" was sung nce-on
AY-1 Z. 1890 Now came AT opportuni-
~ for the original representative OF
tho heroine Abbey and Grau resumed
the management Of the theatre IN 1881,
ard In their company was Miss Van
zar4+ for whom the opera was "re-
vived" on February %. Mr. Abbey had
,.res. expectations. but they were dis
Amounted. For the public there was
metal more attractive than Miss Van
Zand. and the Hindu opera in other
members Of the company and other
oP''4' - loo, do