The New York herald., 1920-01-28
'PELLEAS' IS SUNG,
MAETERLINCK THERE
Hears Operatic Version of His
Drama for First Time Though
Music BOreS Him.

For the first time since Claude Debussy
wrote "Peleas ct Melisande" to words of
Maurice Maeterlincks famous play of the
same name, that distinguished Belgian
poet and dramatist saw the musical YER
sion of his drama last night when it was
the Lexington Theatre. as the second Of
fering Of its five weeks season.
At the time the opera was written, about
fifteen years ago, Mr.. Maeterlinck made
vow that he never would see it, There
were several reasons. Mr.. Debussy in
sisted upon writing his own libretto,
though he kept as much as possible to the
original words.
Mr.. Maeterlinck's first wife, Nine.
Georgette Leblanc, was an opera singer.
He though she ought to be Melisande at
the premiere, and Mr.. Debussy thought
Miss Mary Garden. who interpreted the
role last night, should have it. Miss Gar
den got it. but Mr.. Maeterinck refused
to attend the performance and never at
tended any thereafter until last night.
Miss Garden invited him. so he attended
with the present Nine. Maeterlinck. Mrs.
Newbold lie Roy Edgar and Henry Rus
sell. The party occupied a box.
Music bores me-" Mr.. Maeterlinck said
between the acts to newspaper men, as
Henry Russell was leading him iowa rd
the box of Mrs. Harold Mccormack wife
OF the chairman of the Board of Directors
Of the Chicago Opera Association.
You know 1 vowed I'd never see IT,"
But because of Miss Garden, and be-
cause II is in America. decided to break
my promise to myself. ] came to be
bored, but am really amused. I'm tone
deaf / don't understand such compli-
Gated music. Yet l find the drama as
vital as II II were talked.
Miss Garden is very good In her part.
think the music adds bit of atmosphere
which should make the play more effec-
tive"
The performance of "Pelleas ct Meli-
sande," as In earlier seasons. was one OF
the finest things to be found in opera.
Miss Garden. turning from the scarlet
Flora of "L'Amore del Ire Re- Of the
night before, was shy and mystifying
Melisande, as she plays 1t. Is master
piece Of operate characterization, and she
has Just the voice for II. Much has been
said Of her portrayal of this part. and
there is little new to add. ii Is as loVeIy
and rs touching rs ever.
Alfred Maguenat, as Pelleas, gave a
very artistic performance. His voice is
not exceptionally beautiful. But he was
always In the spirit Of the role. Hector
Dufranne as Golaud and Gustav Huber
deau as Akel also were excellent. Nine
Marie Claussens, as Genevieve, and Doro-
thy de Philippe were not so satisfactory
but such small matters cannot spoil sc
beautiful performance. Marcel Charlier
conducted polished and gripping pre-
sentation OF the best OF modern French
operas.
Society was more generously represented
az last nights performance than at the
first one on the preceding night. In the
audience were Justice and Mrs. Francis
X Pendleton. Mr.. and Mrs. Henry w
Taft, Mrs Samuel J. Wagstaff Mis-!
Leonie Burrell, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A
| Weldon, Mr.. and Mrs. Rowland Davis
! Mr. Harrison Garfield Rhodes, Miss Elsa
Maxwell. Miss Lucille Thornton. Mr.. ant
Mrs Harry Hardness F'lagler Miss Mary
Hardness Flagler. Miss Ruth King anC
Miss Katherine steward.
! Also Mrs Frank Gray Griswold Baror
and Baroness de Meyer, Mr.. and Mrs
| Newbold lie Roy Edgar. Mr.. and Mrs
! Newbold Morris. Mr.. and Mrs. Gordoi
Knox Bell. Mr.. Albert Eugene Gallstin
Mr.. and Mrs. Tompkins McTlvainc, Mr.
and Mrs. De Diaz Albertini. Mr.. and Mrs
| Henry Whitney Munroe, Miss Adele Knee
land. Mr. and Mrs. s. x. Guggenheim. Mr.
and Mrs. Francis Rogers. Mr. and Mrs
William Guggenheim. Mr.. Alfred L. Seligs
berg Mr.. Bertram dc N. Cruger and Mr.
and Mrs. Sumner Gerard.