The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-27
OPERA AT THE METROPOLITAN,

notwithstanding abnormal ccnd..
tons" said General Manager Gatti-Ca.
SAGA yesterday, the popular interes,
In the coming season OF the Metropolis
tan Opera company. the opening o!
which Is only two weeks Off is en-
phas'zed by the numerous inquiries con.
corning subscription seats made by
music lovers whose names hitherto
have not been on cur list. The sub
scription books will close on November
!. Samson ct Dalila, with Nine. Ho-
mer and Messrs. Caruso Couzinou and
Itothier. Mr.. MonteuX conductor, will be
the opening opera.
1T Is not my habit to speak extrava-
santly of our seasons programmes. "
continued Mr.. Gatti-Casazza, but ! feel
justified in assuring the operagoing pub
lie that / consider that the programme
, mapped out for this season exceeds In
interest, variety and brilliancy any that
have had the pleasure Of presenting
since l assumed the management Of the
metropolitan ten years ago.
III you look over the list of novelties
ana reviyals you will see for yourself
that we are trying to please all rea-
sonable tastes. always keeping In mind
that. especially in these times, the thea
tire. OF which the opera is a sort of sub
limation, must provide entertainment.
must seek TO divert the public mind,
In word. must take people out of
themselves. Surely fine operate per-
Torrance for those to whom this 70. IN
OF art appeals Is an admirable mental
and spiritual tonic.
ITO me one OF the most interesting
feature of the season will be the pres
entation Of La Fora del Destlno,
which will be given during the opening
week. For the public with but very few
exceptions--for I know of no perform
ance OF the opera ever having been
given in the Metropolitan or the Acad-
envy Of Music-it will be virtually a
new opera by Verdi. Think what that
should mean to music lovers--a new
opera by the great Italian mastery
Mr.. Caruso. 1t is worth noting. will
make his debut in the role of Don Al
uaro, the soldier monk, a role to which
only great tenor can do justice. Mr..
Groe has provided a fine scenic invest
ment for La Fora del Destino.'
The three new one act Pucinnis
operas for which Maestro Moranzoni
recently made his trip to Italy will be
ready under his direction for their world
premieres In the middle Of December.
The principal artists who Will appear in
II Tabarro' will be Miss Muzio, Mr..
Crimi and Mr.. Montesanto.
Miss Geraldine Farrar will have the
title role in 'Suor Angelica while the
comic leading role OF the third opera,
'Gianni Schichi.' will be acted and sung
by Mr.. de Lucca. The scenery for these
operas has been painted by Messrs. Gros,
Platter and Blanco respectively.
by the way. my old friend the dis
tinguished operate barytone. Victor
Maurel has made the sketches for the
scenery for Gounod's Mireille,' which
will be given during the second half OF
the season. Mr.. Maurel Is a painter as
we'll as a singer. and as he, like Mis-
trail. upon whose poem the opera 10
based, is a Provencal no one Is better
qualified to suggest the atmosphere of
the poetic land OF Provence.
"As yet / am not ready to announce
the dates of the first performances of
the two new American operas. Mr..
Rreils The Legend and Mr.. Hugos
The Temple Dancer nor OF la Refine
Flammette.' 'Oberon.' 'Crispina a la
Comare' and 'Petrushka.'"