Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-13
METROPOLITAN SINGS
OPERA FAUST" WELL
Mime. Eastop MartinelIi and
po+hier Star in the Principal
Roles Of Counod's Work
Giovanni Nnrtinelli

While "Faust" may S""m tritc So
.,.,,ior for the Metropolitan Opera Co.
b cjyr at the close Of season in
,pbiIodcIphia rcpctc with the best num-
,.n, :, fine New York repertoire,
an ,bcrc arc few operas which
,a.o % many wonderful tunes or in
,.hich tbc dramatic interest Is so well
.,s,oincd as in Gounod's masterpiece.
The performance was given with un-
.suoI spirt considering that it is the
cio.c Of long and hard season OF
onrro, and although there were some
rishprS. the presentation as a whole
was rnr above the average.
"Tuu.f" is an opera Of more than
rho u.unI number of set solos and
tbc east last evening was especially
oJontrd 10 bring out these mclodic fca-
'" ,nra. in the best possible manner, Nine.
ro,ton a> Marguerite. made n charm
inc heroine in her stage presence as well
os vorally and dramatically. and the
nor, /, one peculiarly suitable to her.
Of tnr many fine points OF her de
linpntion. perhaps the best was Ihc
Kipr ur Thulc.' where hcr impatiencc
ot her inability to keep her mind on the
.niuuiUg to the exclusion of her thoughts
of the hero of the opera was b"auti-
fuuy and naturally done. She mad"
fine rnlr nj once intense and modest,
vLirh carries out to the full the appar-
ont intent Of the composer.
Mr. Marnclli ~ Faust presented a
mixed interpretation. lie has grown
Al 4 l,., a.
ioycr and languor rather than pas
sion was the characteristic of the
mart as hc gave it. He also showed a
disposition to take dis principal mclo-
dies at a tempo 50 slow that at times,
II threatened 10 diSroncCrt the conduct
or and the members of the orchestra.
voralIy he was in fine form and gave
his prinripal numbmrrS with n beautiful
of dramatic action.
Mr.. Rorhirr. with Mime. Easton.
shared the principal hOnOrS of the per.
iormancc. This great artist has ap-
pcarcd number Of times in Philadcl-
phin this season. and each time has
added 10 his reputation as one of the
finest singers and actors on, the operate
stage today. He is am ideal Mcphisto
both in voice and physique. There is
no part in the opera which requires
more versatility than McuhistophlcS.
and Mr. Ruthicr had all the elements
Of ,Hrdonir humor. real humor (aS
shown in the scene with MarthcD, actual
devi~huc>s and trcachcry which the
irving role demands. His chief vocal
numbers. the "Calf of Gold" and the
ionir >rrcnadr which he sings under
the window of Marguerite and which
lures NaIrntn TO his death. We're dcliv-
cred with great vocal power and in
tense dramatic force. II was on the
whole one Of the finest interpretations
Of the part which has been given in
Philadelphia since the days of EdOuard
De- RrNkr and PlancOn.
The relatively minor parts were all
well taken. Miss Ellis made an at
tractivc "Sicbcl." and sang the "Flowcr
Song finely. besides acting the part
we'll. Mr.. DaniSc was adequate as
NOI"uriu. although he showed the char
arrcri>Iir Italian willingness TO accept
applause and Nine. Bcrat's Mnrthc
vas Second only to her wonderful inter-
prCtat'on Of the Mother in "Louisc.'
throughout the performance there
was au apparent lack of rehearsal. Mr..
Wolf directed his attention almost OK
cuSlWIy 10 til" orchestra. and with Mr..
MartlncIIi'> p"nrhant for rrtardinS She
melodies and the disposition of the
rhoruS +" TAX" its own tempt. there was
und"niahIl Il number of places which
wer" ragged in 50 far as the tempo of
the chorus, certain of the principals
and III" orchestra were concerned.
NercrthrI"sS. the performance moved
with spirit and vcrvc throughout. The
settings and the ballet were ut all times
up 10 the Metropolitan standard.