The New York herald., 1921-03-10
INDIAN SINGS CHIEF ROLE IN
NEW OPERA THE POLISH JEW
Metropolitan Presents Nov
city in Czecho-SIovakian's
Work With Chilean Singer.

The Polish Jew opera in two acts.
the music by Karel weis, was pro-
duced at the Metropolitan Opera House
last evening. The book is the work OF
Victor Leon and Richard Batka. and Is
based on the Erckmann-Chatrian ro-
nance made familiar to this public In
Sir Henry Irvings dramatic version
called The Bells" karel Weis is a
Czecho-Slovak composer who lives in
Prague. The opera was not presented
last evening In czeeho-Slovak, nor in
any related language. but in English.
The version was prepared by siegmund
Spaeth and Miss Cecil Cowdrey. who
lately epdeayored TO bring oraer out of
chaos IN the extant English texts OF
'Lohengrin."
Because Sir Henry Irving frequently
enacted the role of Mathis here. il IL
naIuiy necessary 10 rehearse In detail
the story OF The Polish Jew" IL is
grewsome tale, replete with memories
OF cQ"ardiy murder. agonies of remorse.
The terrors OF judgment and other cheer
ing topics admirably suited TO the re-
taxation OF nerves strained by prolonged
war, the burden of national debt. with
us resultant taxes, the deprivation OF
accustomed uplifters served In glasses)
ana the spectacle of the daily violent
crimes officially declared non-cxlstent.
What we all need Is feasts or horror
graphically delineated IN muse which
shall heighten the emotional thrill 80
that when we go home we shall per-
maps retire to our couches to pass the
night ike Mathis, In the vain struggles
or hideous Nightmares. Those who re-
can lrvings shuddering tragedy will not
need 70 De told that The Polish Jew"
ought TO be $40 shocker
To come at once to the point. IL is
nothing OF the sort. 1t Is without ex-
cepuon the deadliest soporinc ever adj
ministered 10 an operate audience in tnIs
long suffering town. IT is utterly un-
worthy OF critical consideration. and no
solemn reflections shall be bestowed
upon IL in this place. No ore familiar
with the lyric stage needs 10 be informed
that good play does not always make
a good opera Music comes with its su-
perior claim on the attention, impedes
the movement of the action and distorts
The outlines OF the dramatists picture.
Conventional Material.
In THE Polish Jew" there is almost
nothing from which music can deyelop
It's special type Of poetic utterance. Re-
more and fear OF punishment are the
poorest possible materials for lyric in
splration. The first act provides some
conventional operate material in the
shape OF wedding festivity. The com
poser did not know what to do with Il.
His ideas are microscopic; his treat
ment OF them infantile. Even the dance
is spoiled, for il is entirely wanting in
that pictorial symmetry without which
the stage ballet becomes meaningless.
There is a feeble and futile attempt to
make the thing realistic. The theatre
Is not the home OF realism. The stage
is the shrine of dramatic illusion and
every one connected with the business
of presenting plays to the public,
whether spoken or sung, ought to know
this.
The Illusion in "The Polish Jew"
comes in the second act with the MUIR
derer's dream Of his trial and convic-
ton. What is accomplished here belongs
to the scene painter who has done his
work admirably, and the stage mana ger.
who also deserves praise. The music
is an ainless and annoying intrusion.
1t Is so bad that 1t has not even the
semblance OF an excuse for existence.
This opera is said to have had some
favor In Germany. That is the place
for It. Possibly there are in that self
contained country not a few persons
to whom the drama OF cowarCily mur-
der, remorse and retribution may have
an immediate interest. and as for dull
and stupid music, Germany Is its
heavenly home. II Is pity that THE
Polish Jew" is not this morning being
propelled eastward over one OF the Rhine
bridges.
Possibly some day operagoers will
be enlightened as TO the reasons for this
apparently purposeless production. At
present the matter Is a mystery. Not
only Is the opera valueless In itself, but
II does not call for singing Of the kind
which makes direct appeal to this
public, nor does II furnish opportunities
for the assembling Of a strong cast
Chilean Indian Sings.
The most important part IS that or
Mathis, the murderer the role made
famous by Sir Henry Irving's art The
inlpersonator at the Metropolitan IL
newcomer called Chief Caupolican. said
TO be a Chilean Indian. This gentleman