The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-11

Mr.. Gatti-Casazza could not make the
public Christmas present of "Parsifar'
this year owing to the fact that Christ
was comes on Saturday. For the same
reason he could not solemnize the birth
of the new year with the spectacle of
the unwilling OF the Grail. The first
representation of the sacred festival
drama took place at the Metropolitan
Opera House yes .crday afternoon. Owing
to the indisposition of Mr.. Sembach. Or
Vile Harold was the Pdrsifdl, and Will
lam Gustafson. a new bass. was heard,
though not seen, as the always invisible
TitureL
Mr.. Gustafson sounded well, and will
probably be useful among the Metropoli-
tan forces. Another voice not heard last
season was that of Robert Blass, who
sang Gurnentdns, but ii was not new to
the Metropolitan stage. since Mr.. Blass
was the original of the patriarchal
knight in the Conried production of
Wagner's last drama. The scenic attire
OF the opera was improved by the aboli-
ton of the remarkable pagoda in which
Kumdry appeared in the garden scene
last winter. She was revealed yesterday
on bank of flowers much nearer the
decided Improvement
Nine. Matxenauer's Kundry.
The performance was generally good,
though not as smooth in all respects as
might have been desired. Nine. Matte
nauer's Khndr'y was the most conspic-
uous single figure. although ii wants
something OF the much promised seduc-
tiveness. Yet there is some ground for
laying the blame for this want at the
door of Wagner. ParsiJal may have
been even more singularly pure young
man than the one sung by Gilbert and
Sullivan, but even a more sophisticated
and inflammable youth might have hesi-
tated in the presence of Wagner's i'm
posing heroine.
The irrepressible subject of the Eng
lish text thrust itself forward once more.
Mr. krehbie.'s new version is the mos;
singable of all the English transations
and much of it can easily be understood.
but unless long flowing melodc phrases
in opera are entirely supplanted by
arioso closely following the syllable
scheme of recitative or chant, text can
never be wholly Ineligible no matter
how well pronounced by the singers. Mr..
Harold receives and deserves much
credit for his enunciation, but the char
full.
Tosca i'm the Evening.
In the evening the opera was of very
different type 1t was Puccinnfc ''Tosca,"
with Miss Destinn in the name part.
Beniamino Gigl was the Cavaradossi
and Mr. Scott as usual, the incompar-
abe ScGTpid. There were changes in the
minor roles, Milo Picco appearing as
An1eioti and Paolo Ananian as the So
cristdn Mr. Morazoni conducted.
The performance was one of merit, IL
not Of high distinction. Miss Destinn's
voice was not in it's best condition and
its tones We're of uneven beauty, some
being hollow and unsteady, while others
were smooth md silvery. Mr.. Gglfs
tones again gave pleasure by reason OF
their freshness and vibran ", but his
acting was merely a matter of form, nd
not very good form at that.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. Fred Tams and Mr..
and Mrs. Gano Dunn We're with Mr..
and Mrs. Stephen II. Olin in box No. II.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles II. Sheriff..
Mr.. and Mrs. Lawrence L. Gillespie
and Mr.. and Mrs. f. Egerton Webb
were with Mr.. James 3. Clews in box
NJ. 12
Mr. and Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Ir.; Mr.. and Mrs. William II. Osborn,
Miss Grace Vanderbilt and Mr.. r.
Thornton Wilson were in box No. 3.
Prof and Mrs. Fl. Fairfield Osborn
we're with DR.. and Mrs. Clarence G.
Campbell in box No. 10.
Mr.. and Mrs. William f. Iselin and
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Iselin were in box
No 10.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Greenough and
Mr. w. Rhinelander Stewart were with