New-York tribune., 1921-03-08
Andrea Chenier
HasPrenniereat at
Metropolitan
Ciordano's Revolutionary
Opera, Sung for First
Time by Company, Is
Appreciated by Audience
Hailed as Achievement
MIR. Cigli and Miss Muzio
Distinguish Themselves;
Didur Plays Matthew

Giordano'S Andrea Chenier" was
sung for the first time by the Metro
politan Opera Company last evening.
The opera is not unfamiliar Mere. The
first of this composers works to have
an American hearing was first given
under Mapleson at the Academy of
Music November 13, 1896. with Durot
as Chener, Ughetto as Gerard and
Nine. Bonaplata Bau as Madeleine.
There was a single performance dur
ing Hammcrstein's regime at the Man
haitian Opera House on March 27, 1908,
when, as q compliment to the late
Cleofonte Campanini, his wife, Nine.
Eva Tetrazzini, sang the role of Mad
eleine. Mr.. Bassi was the Chenier and
Mr.. Sammarco the Gcrard.
Excellent Entertainment
Since then it figured in the roper
toirc of the Boston Opera Company,
the principal parts being taken by
Giovanni Zenatello, George Baklanoff
and Iuisa VILLAIN.
The opera is excellent entertainme ent.
an interesting libretto. What more
dramatic themes than love and patriot
ism, with the bloody days of the French
Revolution as background, could be
imagined to stir the inspiration of
composer? The characters, Chenier,
Gerard, Mathieu, the patriotic mother
in the third act. all these are human
beings. Even Maddalena, whosip the
first act, when she invites Chenier to
improvise a poem on love, gives prom
ise of being mere first cousin to
Pushkin's moonstruck backtisch Ia
tiana, is transfigured by her passion
for the poet into heroic womanhood
capable not only of love, but of the
supreme sacrifice. 1t matters little
that for dramatic purposes the lbret
tist Illica has lent fictitious glamour to
Chenier's end The real Chenier,
ranked in French letters by Sainte-
Beuve as The greatest writer of classic
verse after itaclnv and Moileau, was
imprisoned upon the accusation of hav-
ing sheltered political prisoner. He
was later guillotined with twenty three
others on charge of having engaged
in conspiracy while in prison.
Distinguished Achievement
The operate Chenier's political mis-
demeanors are only alleged. He is
sent to his death because he has
crossed the love path of Gerard. a
leader Of the Revolution. In spite of
this slight depression from historical
truth, the opera remains an interesting
and entertaining work, an appropriate
musical setting of a good play.
Gerard's dramatic monologue, Che
nier's revolutionary TRADE in which he
sings of the wrongs of the roor, a
r. h ar1,,jO ri
tional measures, the dance music, all in
the first act; the love music, in the
second the dramatic music, in the
third act, the mothers song, and Mad
eleines rhapsodic flight of song-these,
with the French revolutionary airs that
run through the opera, are among the
musical good things provided by the
The performance was one of the
most distinguished achievements of
this season at the Metropolitan. The
singing of principals and those in
minor roles, the work of the chorus,
the high quality of the mise en- scene
and the beautiful settings, were alike
Mr.. Glgli's Chcnier was a noteworthy
He sang and acted
with fervor and an authority that
heightened the charm of lyric moments
and deepened the significance of the
character. Mr. Danise has given many
admirable impersonations at the Opera
House this season. His Gerard must
now be added to the list, striking
characterize ton, in which his virile
voice, rhetorical skill and keen dra-
matte sense are displayed to the full
lest advantage.
Audience Enthusiastic
Miss Muzio's Madeleine was a worthy
to these convincing operate
portraits. Vocally charming, she has
done nothing better as to dramatic in
telligence, graciousness and distinc-
ton. A telling bit of character acting
was contributed by Mr.. Didur as
Matthew. Nine. Perini was remarkably
effective as the mother, who gives over
her young son to the army, and Mr..
Bada was an amusing spy.
The chorus, which plays large part