New-York tribune., 1920-11-26
Miss Farrar as
Carmen Pulls
Wig Off Rival
Diva's Bodice, Without a
Back and Sleeveless, Did
Not Appear To Be Span
ish or Becoming to Her
Bizet's Score Is Ignored
Mime. Frances Aida Makes
First Appearance of
the Season in "Boheme"

Two performances were given at the
Metropolitan Opera House yesterday.
In the afternoon Carmen" was heard
for the first time this season at this
house. with Miss Geraldine Farrar in
the title role. 1t was an eventful, if
not wholly admirable performances
In the first act Miss Farrar's attack
upon the girl from the cigarette fac
tory was directed with such force that
the victim lost her wig. In the second
act Miss Farrar's dress was in itself
an event Her skirt was of blue and
tlnsel, scarlet lined. Her sleeveless
bodice. held in place by a slender chain
OF brilliants about her neck. was with
out back, barred to the waist. The
costume was mother Spanish nor be
coming. Where are the sensuous
shawls of Yesterday?
Audience Irritated
Throughout the afternoon the singer
Kept her audience irritated by the i'm
provements she chose to make upon
Blzct's music. In spots the score was
scarcely recognizable. as in her taunt-
ing Of Zuniga at Lillas Pastia's.
Miss Farrar never has been great
Carmen. and judging from the present
condition of her impersonat.on, it is
doubtful whether her portrayal will
ever assume this element.
Carmen was a sinister and enigmati-
cal creature Miss Farrar has only sue
cecded in being hoydcn. The lib
critics she permits herself with the
score practically obliterate the posi-
blity Of 9 critical estimate of her ng
inr Yesterday she sang to suit her
self, with O. battling variety Of tone pro-
Guction, to which she sacrificed diction
and Bizet, carrying off her vocal mis-
cnavior " tn astonis. ing aNlomb.
Ny Martinelli is in many respects
an excellent y n Jose III. merits of
his impersonation increased both vo-
e. " and histri Aicaly, as the after
noon progressed
Nine. i}erat was miscast as Mer-
ceAfs Since sho was of the trio, per
hans it was Just as we'll that the end
ing Of Escamillo's song in which Nine.
Caivd made an unforgetCab' impress
sioa By her coioring, Of the WORD
ronr.' was omitted. No doubt it
would have shocked some and dsap-
iuted athcrs 10 Sc this respectable
Interpreter Of material Joys and sor-
ro.,., VIII has scriven in turn with
wizard Turiddu and untilial Louise,
coouetting with gallant OF the bull
ring
Seldom is such exquisite singing
heard in opera as that of Nine. Sunde-
lius as Micaela; exquisite in tonal
quality, delightful in naturainess anil
ease OF delivery, compelling by It's
constant display Of intelligence.
Scenery Is Of Best
Mr.. Whitehll, after languid en-
trance, rose to the occasion and gave
a crcAitable performance as Escamilo
Scenery and stage management was ot
the best, but the orchestra was not
firmly controlled by Mr. Wolff.
In the evening Nine. Frances Aida
made her first appearance of the season
in the seasons first "Boheme." She
was in good voice and suggested all
that was sweet and simple, lovely and
pathetic in Mimi
Mr.. Harold, the Rodolfo, was in
better voice than last week and gave
an excellent performance, as did Mr.
Scott, Che most sympathetic of Mar
ccllos. Miss Lorraine was piQuant
Musetta. and Mr. Picco appeared as
Scnaunard in place of Andres de Sc
gurola who has resigned from the
company.
"farsi. al" Will be sung for the FIRST
time this season on Friday, December
TO- at / o'clock. The cast viii include
Nine Matzenauer and Messrs. Sem
bach, Whitehill, Blass and Didur.