Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-14
METROPOLITAN'S ONE-ACT
OPERAS HERE TUESDAY
Spirit of Puccini's Earlier Works
Is Seen in These by
Critics

Philadelphia will have its first performance
by the Metropolitan Opera Company of the
three new one-act operas OF Puccini next
Tuesday evening. They will have their world
premiere in New York tonight and those
who have heard the rehearsals say that
in these works Puccini has returned to the
spirit of his earlier works and given free
rein to his rnelodic inspiration.
The first of the three to be heard will
be III Tabarro" ("'rhe Cloak'). The scene
is laid on Michele's barge on the Seine.
in a remote part of Paris. Giorgetta. the
young wife of Michele. Is loved and is in
love with Luigi, a longshoreman often hired
by her husband. BY mere accident Michele
learns the truth, and overhearing them make
an appointment on the barge when he
(Michele) would supposedly be asleep, he
surprises Luigi as he comes aboard, forces
him to confess and then stranges him. hid
ing the body under his own cloak. Giorgetta.
in terror comes up, and not knowing what
has happened. asks Michele If she shall not
rest near him under his cloak. whereupon
Michele throws open the cloak and the body
of her lover rolls at her feet.
The principal parts Tuesday will he
Claudia Muzio as Giorgetta. Crimi as Luigi
and the new baritone, Montesanto as
Michele. Others in the cast will be Alice
Gentle, Didur and Re!ss.
The Story Of "Suor Angelica"
The second opera a>will mark the first ap-
pearance of the season in Philadelphia of
role in the opera, which is "Suor Angelica" -"
The story is much on the order of the miracle
plays. Sister Angelica, daughter of n Flor
entine noble has been compelled by her
family to take the veil. following a youth
full error, and for seven years has heard from,
none of them. Finally her aunt visits her
and tells her that she has come in order
that the young nun may sign some necessary
legal papers. but that lifelong eNpiation ia
the only course open to her. In answer to
questions, the aunt says that Angelica's child
the baby whom she saw only once, had
died two years before.
In despair. Angelica commits suicide by
swallowing poison. but, seized with remorse.
she implores the Virgin not to let her die in
mortal sin. Then the miracle occurs The
Mother of Comfort appears on the threshold
of the tiny church leading a little child.
which she gently pushes into the arms Of it's
dying mother, while choir of angels and
nuns proclaims her salvation.
The Third q Comedy o.
In strong contrast is the third opera "Cii
ami Schicchi." an old comedy. Schiceh-i is a
shrewd Tuscan peasant who has successfully
made his way against heavy odds in Flor
ence. He is summoned by Rinnuccio. who is
in love with Lauretta, the daughters of Schc-
CHI to give advice concerning will. Buoso
Donati it appears, having died without di-
rect family, has left all his estate 10 a
monastery. which greatly displeases his rela-
tives.
Schicchi says there is only one remedy !:
he will impersonate the dead man. whose
demise has not yet been announced. and
draw a new will. The relatives are delighted
and send for notary In .DonatPs slckbed
Gianni Schicchi dictates the new will. but
after bequeathing few minor pieces of
property to- the relatives, he leaves the rest
TO himself. The relatives dare not protest
for fear of the law. but the lovers are
happy because it will ultimately fall to
Lauretta. 5ir -
The title role OF the opera next Tuesday
evening will be taken by Giuseppe De Luca
the part of Rinnuccio by Crimi and that
of Lauretta by Florence Easton Others
who will appear in the large cast are Marie
Sundelius, Kathleen Howard and Nm Didur,
Malatesta, De Segurolara and D'Angelo.