The New York herald., 1921-12-09
Challenged Revolutionary Ideas.

We lack also the historical adyan-
tages. Seventy-seven years ago Italy
was seething with revolutionary ideas.
which were rudely challenged by verdrs
lyric adulation of the sacred person Of
2 King Every line of the political pas
sages in it's text had a direct message
Tor the audiences. To us they mean
nothing. Musically Italy had fallen
asleep In Donizetti and Bellini The
fierce brutal blasts OF this riotous score
Gas 1t sounded then), music riotous in
It's smashing Of antiquated conventions
and polite mannerisms. reused the
Italians TO the consciousness of n new
personality. If we could saturate our
souls entirely in DonizettI and BeIlini
we too might start to life and vow that
one blast on Errnni's llorn were worth
a thousand such men.
But times have changed To us
"Ernani" Is a husky voice from the tomb
of Charlemagne. a faint echo OF the
pompous romanticism which Hugo set
parading through Europe. II sounds to
us like 'TlTrovator" and water. We
hear little more than the hurly burly OF
its flares of brass. the bleating OF it's
trumpet solos and the blatant juxtaposi-
ton Of violent melodramatic outbursts
with the hurdy gurdy dance music Of
the ante-Verdian stock.
One remembers Eridnps 90 tu che
l'alma adora," ElUird's "Ernani in
uollami." Silvd's 'Infelice" and the ever
admired solo of Carlos and ensemble 20
somno Carlo" But Aida" and "Otello"
have made us almost as sophisticated as
Verdi was when he wrote them. and we
decide that 1t Is hard to be n child again.
even for one night.
Much has been done at the Metropol-
ftap fomord fyo ptzfru tyopara hio
work into new life.
Attractive Stage Pictures.
There was an abundance last evening
of the riotous vigor that startled the
Italians three-quarters of a century ago.
And the scenery was most interesting.
Gorgeous castles in Spain were turned
inside out for our delight and we beheld
mosaics and stained glass, old armorial
bearings and mediaval decorations in
all their splendor. The stage pictures
were all attractive and picturesque. The
ballet was good and afforded one more
opportunity to enjoy the beautiful dane
ing of Miss Rosina Gala.
But, naturally. the character of the
musical production should be regarded
as more important. Titta Ruffo was to
have made his first appearance with the
company as Don Carlos, otherwise
CnarleS v. OF Spaln, Out ne was lTuls-
posed, and his place was taken by Giu-
seppe Danise, who was quite we'll pre-
pared. as he had sung at the Anal dress
rehearsal on Monday morning. when
Mr.. Ruffo was unable to appear. Let IL
be said at once that Mr.. Danise was
every inch king and that he sang his
music admirably.
A long and learned essay could easily
be written on Miss Rosa PonselIi's i'm
personation OF Eivird, but 1t Is not es-
sential that there should be one. The
quality of her voice always pleasos hear
ers and her spasmodic style of singing.
quite opposed to the character cf such
airs as ''Ernani involami," is regarded
as highly dramatic. She was heard to
the best advantage last evening in the
ensembles in which the power of her
brilliant tones was very serviceable.
Mr.. Martinelli was very vigorous in
ded as Erndnf and won enthusiastic APP
plause from his countrymen behind the
orchestra rail. That excellent basso. Mr.
Mardones, was admirable as Don Ruy
Comes and his "Tnfelice" was one Of the
most artistic pieces OF singing in the
performance. The work of Chorusmas-
ter Giulio Setti and Conductor Gennaro
Papi had been very well done indeed
and the ensembles were admirably deliv-
cred.
How the operagong public will view
the revival is. of course. matter OF con-
lecture. But since taste has OF late been
-. IL. tNx. nF