New-York tribune., 1917-04-09
Music of Yesterday
Gounod's "Mors ct Vita" Is
Given at the Metropolitan
for Charity

Charles Gounod's "MOrs et Vita an
Cratorio which. outside of one or two
performances in churches. has received
only one previous presentation in New
York. and that in Brooklyn in 1886.
was given last night at the Metropoi-
tan Opera House. II was presented for
the benefit Of the Franco-American
Committee Of the Conscrvatoirc Ma
tionai de Musidue de Paris. and was
sung by the chorus OF the Metropolitan.
with Marie Rappoid. Sophie Braslau.
Luca Botta and Clarence Whitchill as
solo artists. the whole performance be-
ing under the direction of Count Eu-
gene d'Iiarcourt Count d'Harcourt had
made for the performance numerous
cuts. cuts which improved the work by
Illuminating some Of the heavier pas
sages.
We're the "Mors ct Vita" the work
OF any man Of less fame than Gounod
IL is hardly likely that D. would have
caused such extended discussion. Near
y two-thirds OF the work consists in
the setting Of the mass for the dead.
and since GOunOd IN his best estate IS
an eclectic whose originality lies in
few amiable rannerisms. II ia impossi-
Die while listentening to the oratorio 10
svOid comparison with he reduiems o.
MozSrt, Borlioz and Verdi.
The effect Of the FIRST part is OF
the whole oppressive Melodc inven-
tiOn is at minimum. and effects are
sought simply in harmonic progress
sions and orchestral devices. Against
these drawbacks are to be set mas
terly treatment Of the orchestra. espe-
clally IN the second and third parts, and
a high degree OF success in delineating
the joyous sentiments of the celestial
plot Of the oratorio. Beautiful. in
deed, IS the soprano solo. "Beati aui
lavant stotas suas IN Sanguine Agni."
and the chorus "SedeLti IN throuO."
The revival Of the "Mors et Vita" is
p worthy ald a generous one. and to il
Count d'Iiarcourt gave abundant en-
thusiasm.
The solo artists were all admirable.
though toward the end Mr. Whitehilrs
voice showed signs Of fatigue. The
chorus trained by Signor Setti, sang
suDerbly The house was decorated
with the colors Of the Allies. with two
large American hags over the pro-
I scenium arch.
The oratorio both opened and closed
With the singing Of The Msrseillaise"
and The Star-Spanglcd Banner" Mr..
Whitehill singing the former and
Mines. Rsprold and Braslau the latter,
with the audience and chorus repeating
the verse. In the box decorated with
the French cOlors was Ambassador Jus
serand
Gabrielle ellis. Ossip Gabrilowitsch
and Eddy Brown gave a joint recital
in the Manhattan Opera House last
night before an audience which would
/ have oyerfowed an ordinary music
I hall. but seemed lost in the large
b auditorium.
Messrs. Gsbrilowitsch and Brown
played Beethoven's Sonata in Pima
jor, No. D." for piano and violin. after
which each artist had two groups %
solos. Nine. ellis sang the Louise"
aria by Carpenter and group OF
French sougs All OF the artists were
enthusiastically appauded and had TO
give eneores.
Saint Francis % Assist" the new
oratorio by Adriano Arisni. which had
Is premiere in New York last fall.
viii be the feature OF the last concert
Of the season At the Metropolitan mex,
Sunday evening. The composer him
} self will conduct the work. which will
! be sung By Nine. Frances Aida. and
Messrs. Luca Botts. Adamo Didur and
/ Mario Laurenti the opera chorus
trained ty Maestro Setti and full or
J chestrs.