Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-21
FRANCESCA" FINE
ON MANY A COUNT
Music, Drama, Decoration Blend
Into a Beautiful Whole in
This Opera

Ihere were many angles from which last
l"shts performance of Francesca da
fiinini' might be viewed. The first pro.
auction in New York of Zandonai's music
drama was reported at that time in the
EVENING LEDGER. Last Saturday n further
analysis of the music was given. But
nelther music nor news value seemed a
more important phase Of the whole at
Broad and Poplar streets than those two
great and neglected factors-drama and
decoration
Doubtless Mr. Gatti took chance In ex-
porting to this city such n work. If he did,
his sporting blood may now resume its
calm. For Francesca" was success with
Philadelphia; musically. dramatically,
decoratively; also popularity. That Is most
vital. Perhaps the general acclaim. that
brought out Aida and Martinelli and Amato
ana Bada and the rest. and that kept the
mousse crowded till quarter past II may be
laid largely 10 the rare beauty of the adorn-
ments. The Metropolitan has been a shame
ful laggard in the matter of imaginative
splendor on its stages. Having made a
brave and winning effort to do the great
thing in the great way with Boris" 1t has
followed that up with its superlative set
tings for Zandonai's opera II must never
return to the conventions which have made
"Trovatore" kissing and a byword It
must give us more visions like those OF
Sala and Bianco that, last night. turned our
eyes liquid with the lovely color, the mag
nihCent design, the perfect atmospheric aC-
cord of ii all. 1t takes no student of the
Middle Ages TO grasp and relish such pig
ment and plaCcment-the court OF the
Polentani, swimming In cool light against
changeless sky; the delcately graded pen
clings of slim trees: maidens silhouetted
against the heaven. or the just as formal
yet more harharic battcment, with its
cruel.looliing red and blue brickwork ruddy
steam rising from the bowels of molten
metal to be cast down on the enemy. and,
again, figures against the sky. or the Sc
verely planned stone CHAMBER, with its
glimpse of yellow light through the case
ment, where the lovers are betrayed. Or,
least of all, the room OF her whose mouth
was like flame-the walls hung with dim
gold turning to twilight lavender in the
night before white maidens had danced and
departed
Fine, careful and sentient as is the score
Of Xandonai, one feels that Francesca is
superb and touching, first because of its
story. D'Annunzio is worthy poet, and
has written worthily his aspect of great
love. But a poor poet could hardly have
spoiled the ibretto. 1t would be hopelessly
easy to spoil the vocal part of the entertain
ment. Last night at high emotional key,
the singers did superbly in their playing
except Mr.. NIartneli at tmes-and well in
their singing. TO the lyric and plastic
quality of her acting Nine Aida added much
beauty of tone. Mr.. Amato, whose vocal
artistry can always curiously be measured
by the force of the character he takes, was
as good as Otis Skinner in Boxers tragedy.
Mr.. Bada surprised one sharply with the
power of his emotion. Nor must the ad-
mirably balanced and restrained conducting
of Mr.. POlacco be forgotten.
All this wealth of good art In spite OF a
temperature that eclipsed all former tor
lures by heat at the Metropolitan How
brain-baked auditors can be expected to
follow story, much less appreciate subtle
bits on the stage or in the orchestra pit in
such cline, is not understandable. The
travelling Hippodrome show took it's ice
plant away too soon. BID