The New York herald., 1920-01-04
LID Off ON OPERA,
|. PARIS EXPECTS ITS
GREATEST SEASON
Julian Harris Tells of Enticing
Outlook for Season ;.s
F::c.rcn Capital.
By JULIAN HARTs.S.
Special respondent of the Herald.

PARIS, December 21.--This winters
season at the Opera Rationale and the
Opera Comique will be enjoyed with
greater relish than ever by Parisians and
visitors to the French capital. as IL ;.
the first time since the war that Parl,-
producers have been able to give opera
with all the Accomplishments which make
1t the leading social and artistic feature OF
the seasons entertainment. t
The most interesting event at the Opera
Comique thus far was the debut last
week of Miss Hilda Roosevelt. cousin Of
the late Theodore Roosevelt In the role
OF Manon in Massenet's opera of the same
name The verdict of Paris critics was
highly flatterng to Miss Roosevelt and
the consensus was that she invested the
role with all it's traditional charm and
brilliance. The Paris press referred to
the delicious voice" of tho young artist.
which she managed to perfection and
in terms OF praise commented on the
variety of her acting. (which was by
turns passionate. dramatic and playful"
maintaining without dissent that Miss
Roosevelt's Interpretation compared favor
ably with that OF Sibyl Sanderson, He'll.
bronze and Mary Garden.
Mr. Camille Chevillard will continue TO
direct and conduct the orchestra OF, the
opera Nationale and he will be assisted
by Mr.. Grovlez, Mr. Ruhlmann and Mr.
BuSser. Eminent scenic artists have made
new mounts for number of pieces, and
several novelties will be offered, as well
as old favorites revived. OF the former
the chief will be the "Goyesoas' of Gra-
radios and the "Guercceur" of Alberto Ma
gnard Both these talented composers lost
their lives in the late war; The work OF
the latter would have been given ere this
had not q part of the orchestral score
been lost i'm the confusion Of the first
months of the war The missing portion
has been carefully and reverently recon-
structed by Mr.. Guy Ropartz. The Choir
uses of "Guercoeur" are more than usu-
ally important and have received the
utmost study. a fine cast, including the
names of Marthe Chenal. Yvofne Gall
Nine. Kousnezoff and Mr. Marcel Rehaud.
has been chosen TO bring out the lucid
and poetic beauty Of the score.
LES Goyescas" portrays the life or
Spain in the time Of Goya, the great Span
sh painter. and its brilliant and pictur-
esque flavor will be enhanced by the
beautiful and unusual setting and cos
tunes designed by Zuoaga and executed
by Paquereau. Mouveau and Bailly. Mr..
Chevllard will conduct the Spanish opera
and Mines. Chenal and Leyperette and
Mr. Lafitte will sing the leading parts.
distinguished Spanish dancer, Mile.
Amalia Molina will come from Madrid to
interpret the incidental dances.
Other new works in preparation for the
current season are The Legend of st.
Christopher by Mr.. Vincent d'Indy.
"Antar" by Gabriel Dupont. from the
drama or Chellri Gancm. in which the
leading role will be sung by Yvonne Gall.
and "The Daughter OF Roland by Henri
Rabaud the composer of "Marouf." The
beautiful ballet ef sylvia" will be re-
vived and several new ballets put on.
among them being tho "Naimouna'f OF
Mr.. Grovlez and tho ''Frivolent' OF Jean
| PoueiGh. tat
OF the revivals perhaps the most i'm
portant is the 'Trojans' of Hector Ber-
| lioz. an opera in two parts: The Capture
of Troy" and 1.-THE Trojans at Carthage,
both OF which will be produced as was
intended by tho author. in the same oven
| ing. Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust. has
also been revived this season. Early
French opera will be represented in The
Triumph of Love-" by Luly. as well as
in the magnificent ballet by Rameau.
! 'Indcs Gaantes.' the charming eight
teenth century costumes of which have
been designed by Mr. Dresa.
Other revivals are the "Armide' OF
Gluck Don Juan of Mozart. 'Gwendo-
| line" Of Chabrier. "Signrd'' OF Reyer. "As-
canio" of Saint-Sasns. "NIessidor" OF Bru-
neau and "'rhe Miracle OF Hue.
In addition to this brilliant and varied
programme there will be given at the
opera in January a season OF Russian bal
II let. and during the spring number OF
beautiful benefit performances OF varied
cf ara cter.