The evening world., 1918-01-24

Manhattan Opera House when Os-
car llammcrstcin was King and Mr..
Campanini, as conductor, was his
Prime Minister. Significantly. In II
programme note, it was pointed out
mat the Chicago institution rs tho
descendant OF the memorable or
~ElnizatiOn first formed at the Man
haitian Opera House, and under
whatever name it's career has pro-
crossed at various times. it's identity
has been maintained and that ten
years Of artistic development stand
behind it,
Everybody who is anybody was
there. The spacious entrance lobby
was a hubbub of celebrities greeting
each other for nearly an hour before
tho performance began. The sur
rounding streets. "a labyrinth Of
trenches and snow heaps, were
swamped by the host OF motor cars
and taNis that camc from every dt-
reCtion. Utter blockade was avoided
only by the g%raCiousness OF the po-
lice i'm permitting the sidewalks to
be used by vehicles for purposes OF
passing. II was a festive occasion.
all gayety ana smiles and undls-
gulscd happiness. A chance visitor.
dropping from another planet, V
would have dreamed that a dcvas-
tating worlds war was being fought
out and that individual food cards
are imminent.
Norma Wanna Is a French opera
in four acts by Henry Fcvrier, the
book by Maurice Maetefllnck, the
text translated into interesting Eng
lish by Claude Aveling. The fourth
act was omitted last night with
doubtful propriety. The opera waS
presented once at the Metropolitan
Opera House by the Philadelphia
Chicago Opera Company. The story.
Of the fifteenth century. opens with
Pisa bcsiegcd and starving. the gar
rison commanded by Guido Colonna.
The F~lorentinc army that besets II is
led by Prinzivalle. Guido's father,
Marco, sent az an emissary to the
bcsiegers. returns with a promise OF
food a-plenty IL Giovanni (Monna
Nanua) Guido's sanity wife, shall
come to prinzivalle's tent at night
unattended and clad only in a cloak.
Guido in a fury OF dcnunciation OF
wife and father regulates both and
consents. prinZivalle proves to be a
boy lover ~ Norma Wanna, who re-
spects her while he disClOses his love.
Himself betrayed, Monna Wanna per-
hlltltttN lf4lLlN1llt u return WIN net
20 Pisa TO be protected by her hus-
band. Guido refuses 10 believe her
innocence and she. lyingly, declares
she has been wronged and demands
personal vengeance upon her be-
trayrc. Priuzivallc Is put in a cell OF
which Norma Wanna has the key.
The curtain falls upon her going 10
KIN him. but in the fourth act. which
was not presented, she frees him and
fees with him.
II Is Mnctcrlinck. not Fcvrier, that
makes Norma Wanna" Yet the ma
sic, while dull, serves it's purpose
II sustains a drama Of great power
and Inconsistencies that, with the re.
marklblo cast Of last night, grips
and holds. Mary Garden, in the
name part. lovelicr than ever, sylpi-
like, captivating I'm her poses and
gestures. never forgetful OF the dra.
matte unities. singing better thar
ever. deserved the acclaim that Eel
to her. II was not merely for ole
acquaintance sake that she "a The
recipient ~ an ovation. II was PC
cause she has the soul Of an artiS
that shines through all she does.
LuCicn Murltore's prinZivalle wa
an uncommon impersonation, CON
ceived with fine dramatic sens an(
splendidly sung. The audience rus,
To him and Numbered its applaus,
with utter disregard Of the action
lie. artist that he Is, made no dc
Acknowledgement OF 1t until summon",
before the curtain. scarcely less i'm
urossivo was the Guido Of George
Bakllnoff. with a voice OF Wild
range. always under control and ricl
i'm quality, impressive in action, M
less so when he was sitting or stand
ing still. nc conquered. GustaNe lIu
hcrloau's Marco had Just the RICH
abstraction and suppression. Con
stantiu Nicolay - TrivulZio. OctaN
Dul a.. Rurso and Nedio, and Dca.r
DCrrcro as Torollo completed tho cast
MIR. CharlIcr conducted and share
some Of the curtain calls with tn
principal singers.
samson ct Dulila' at the Metro
pDlitau Opera House last night, wit
CaruSo and MIrgarcte Matzenauo
impersonating the principal charac
tors, in a fine performance conductc
!. 10y Mr.. Mont"uN, aroused an over
lowing house to great enthusiasm
Hundreds were turned away.
Marie Louise Wagner, a young Ora
matte soprano, gave a recital a
Ac1.Itu HAN yesterday Afternoon
: She las presence and her voice ha
quality, SO that she holds promis,
italian, German, French and Enl
.Ush groups made her programm,
Kurt SCHNEIDER was her accompani'
az the piano.
Blanca Randall. who has sung :,
several sundays at George VI. Cohan
Theatre, viii sing Ia the soldiers