New-York tribune., 1920-11-28
l4Operas Sung at
metropolitan First
2Weeks ofSeason
Policy of Different Produc-
ton for Each Subscription
Night Brings Out Best of
the Repertory Very Early

1t was long ago so contrived at the
Metropolitan Opera House that for a
fortnight or little more at the be-
ginning of season there should be
different opera on each subscription
night and afternoon. The practice
taxes the fresh bloom which may have
grown during the summer vacation off
large part of the repertory very early
for regular attendants. The number
Of these, however, is small, being con-
fined to those generally esteemed for
tunate persons who go to all represent
tations in obedience to the call Of duty
The plan is the only one which
could be devised to meet all the obl-
cations which operate management
imposes-and they are many, difficult
and delicate. The popular operas and
novelties must be distributed over the
subscription dates as equitably as pos
s!ble and to the satisfaction Of the
different classes Of subscribers. So
must the appearances of the favorites
Of the public. The conditions of the
contracts in respect to number and
frequency of appearances must be kept
in mind and the information supplied
by the box Office not go unheeded.
1t is not necessary to consult stand
ards Of excellence in compositions and
performance, for. the other conditions
Being observed, it is all one as to how
this year, as in long line Of preced
ing years, that though only two weeks
have passed since the opening of the
season, we have already heard more
than one-third of the operas which are
IN what may be called the Metropoli-
tan's current list.
The thirteonth opera was "La Forza
del Destino," which was performed
Yesterday afternoon. The representa-
tion at popular prices in the evening
added the fourteenth, "Rigoletto." The
day was thus filled with music from
the heyday Of Verdi's productivity, if
genius.
In the distribution of characters in
"La Forza del Destino" there were two
noteworthy changes from the cast
which, with slight fluctuations, has
been heard in the opera since its first
performance at the Metropolitan on
November Is, 1918. Caruso was in his
old role of Don Alvsro, of course. and
Miss Ponselle in hers as Donna Leon
ora. Upon these twin pillars the
structure has rested from the begin
ming, and when they are removed it
will probably pass away into the
dcsuctude which held it for more than
generation before it's revival by Mr.
Gatt. Miss Delaunoise, who has at
times yielded to Miss Gordon, was
back as Pr~ziensilla. and Mr.. Chalmers
again was that Father Meltone who is
the only figure in the play with other
outlines than those of the old operatic
puppets.
In placs Of Amator, or De Luca or
Aanello, VIII ohave sung the role Of
Don Carlos at one time or another
hitherto, we had the new barytone of
the company, Signor Danise. and in
place of Senior Mardones (The Abbott
Signor Martino-capable artists, both
OF them. though of conventional cut.
Daily dlaGnostic reports Of per-
formers and performances are not
well-bcing or happiness of the public
depend upon them. The vocal chords
Of singers have their indispositions at
times and also at times are in finer
tettle than ordinary. 1t is not neces-
sary that the one fact or the other
should be bulletined daily. Let it
suffice that the opera went off yester-
day as if in excellent health under the
direction of Mr.. Papi who has guided
its course from the beginning.
The special interest attaching to the
performance of "Rigoletto" in the eve
ming was the debut of Miss Nina Nor
gena in the role of Gida. 1t also
marked the second appearance of
Nlario Chamlee who was first heard
early in the week. in "Tosca' and who
brought an easy grace to the role Of
the Duke, singing the music with spirit
and. in the main, with discretion.
Miss Morgana revealed light, we'll
placed voice with a pleasant, youthful
quality, which gained in warmth as the
constraint of her initial appearance
wore off: M. De Luca was heard
again in his familiar impersonation of
Eigoletto, Mr.. Bother as Sparafucile
md Miss Perirsi us Maddalena. Mr.
Moranzoni was ct the conductors desk