Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-28
FAUST IS REVIVED
AS MUSIC-DRAMA
Superb Presentation in Acad-
envy Opera Festival Far
From "Costume..Concert''

1t would form an interesting investiga-
ton to ascertain why, in period of war
inflated prices with costs of necessary
commodities soaring cent per cent ana
more. what has been considered the most
exclusive and expensive of esthetic en-
joyments can be halved in admission
charges and yet remain on a Level OF
lofty merit. This is not the time or
place for such Il survey but the fact
remains that the revival OF Faust last
night In the opera festival at the
Academy of Music surpassed many of
the pretentious productions given at
TWICE the prices on that historic stage
curing the three score years durine
which Gounod's opera has been In the
repertory and the Academy has been the
music center of Philadelphia.
The performance was superbly superior
to many given both in the Academy and
It's sister temple at the. north pole or
local music. 1t was scenically adequate,
developed as authentic opera. orchestral
EncnRTw fTent ctsS Sarisdcay nd voiced nos
every point By nice discrimination that
duly proportioned every elment and
related each to unity of impression.
ereises, into which it has sometimes
genuine music drama. The book is
based on drama and the production
re-created the dramatic intentions of
Marlowe and Goethe. Yet the peren-
nially melodious airs of Gounod. varied,
rlch and appropriate to text and mood.
were never sighted. Those who Iiks
skilled singing of old-fashioned melodies
had their desired tunefulness to hearts
content in solos. concerted numbers ana
choruses. Those who have been educated
to the exacting demands of lyric drams
found Faust" probably much to their
modern ' as "Boheme" rS".s's; or scaSaiieria." i
=, The wistful delicate, unsophisticated
from the Hammerstein and Robinofr
days and 1t has lost none of its charm,
Of which simplicity Is the animating
keynote. She sang the King of Thule
carefully and successfully refrained from
making the jewel song ''vocalise" in
coloratura, Her. participation in the
triumphant final trio was vocally lovely,
and dominant in spirit. Henri Scott's
'Mephisto" is also a personation familiar
here from Hammerstein and metro-
politan productions. 1t Is usually dra-
matte but with tendency to theatricism,
the obvious mechanics of effective play
acting were visible. OF course, the CAR
Of Cold the satiric "Serenade" and
other numbers were given sonorously
modulated bass which Is Mr.. Scott's
greatest asset
Forrest Lamont made comely and
illusively romantic Faust. He has
progressed far in artistic gains since he
sang crude but promising Manrico at
the Academy year and half ago with
a scratch" company. His art has
rounded, his voice become refined, his
acting ampler in ease and grace. Auguste
Boulliez, a newcomer. was gallant
valentine, and another newcomer, Eliza.
beth Campbell. sang the Flower Song"
and the other measures allotted to Siebel
eXpressively and melodiously.
Mr.. Sapio's conducting was freer froiu
certain typical faults than at any of
the previous performances of the fort
| night. It supported the singers and II
communicated the poetry Of Gounod's s
score to the hearers.