New-York tribune., 1918-01-06
At the Metropolitan
GattiC Offers Mascagnis "Lodoleta as the Third
Novelty of the Season of the Opera

"Lodoletta," the latest opera by Pie
tro Mascagni, which had its premiere
last spring in Rome, will be given for
day afternoon at the metropolitan
Opera House. It will be the third nov
city 50 far presented this season by
General Manager Gulio Gatti Casazza
The plot OF the opera, in which the
composer is said to have gone back to
the simpler. more spontaneous style OF
his "L'Amico Fritz" is based on
Ouida's one-time popular romance,
Two Little Wooden Shoes" The
!ibrettist is Giacchino Forzano
Miss Geraldine Farrar will sing the
title role, that of little Dutch village
maiden. MI. Caruso, who has ap-
pearcd in the opera in Buenos Ayres,
Montevidco, Rio de Janeiro and Sac
Paulo. will have the role Of Flammen.
the Partisan artist whose advent in the
village plays havoc with Lodoletta's
fate. Others in the cast will be Mr.
Amato as Giannotto, Mr.. Didur as
Antonio, Mr.: dc Segurola as Franz,
Miss Robson as La Piazza, Miss Eye
ncr as Maud and Miss Arden as La
Nanard
Robert Moranzoni. who has rehearsed
"Lodoletta," will conduct the perform
ancc The stage direction is in the
hands Of Richard Ordynski, while Giu-
lio Setti has trained the chorus. The
scenery has been painted by Pieretto
Bianco and the costumes made from
designs by Palanti
The story of "Lodolctta" is as fol-
lows:
1t is springtime in the little Dutch
village and every one is preparing to
celebrate the sixteenth birthday of
Lodoctta. The Little Skylark. as her
name signifies, was found in a basket
of flowers on the lakeside by old An
tonic, who brought up the little waif
: as his own child All Join in decorat-
ing her cabin TO surprise her on her
return from the flower market. A
passing party of strangers stops for
refreshments. Among them IS the
Partisan painter, Flammen. who has
been sent out of France by order Of
Napoleon III for expressing anti
imperial sentiments. lie is attracted
by the Madonna in the little shrine,
the care OF which is Lodolctta's special
concern He wants to buy it from An
tonic, but the latter says it would
grieve Lodoletta. Then Flammen pro-
poses to borrow it in consideration Of
gold coin. Antonio. seeing at hand
the means of purchasing two little red
wooden shoes which Lodoletta has
been longing for, closes the bargain,
the understanding being that the
painter shall take the Madonna after
nightfall.
Lodoletta's return from the market
is the occasion of an outburst Of gay
ETY., and her happiness is unbounded
when Antonio presents her with the
new red shoes.
"And the peach tree is in bloom
another gift of God!" exciaims An
tonic, who goes at once to gather her
some branches of blossoms while Clan
notto. a fellow villager who long has
loved Lodoletta, seeks, without sue
cess, to talk with her alone. The
merrymaking is suddenly interrupted
by Antonio falling from the peach tree
and injuring himself fatally. His death
overwhelms Lodoletta and she is alone
and in tears when Flammen comes
again on the scene at nightfall to get
the Madonna. He speaks to her. learns
her origin and her misfortune. Her
simple charm fascinates him. He com
forts her as one would Il child. When
she falls asleep he departs with
out the Madonna, which Lodoletta for
once has forgotten and before which
he lays bunch of roses with the
words, "For Lodoletta."
Crrinr and cnr,mor have r;ver n1acp