The New York herald., 1921-11-15
CALI -Curci New Queen of Song at Metropolitan
Which Opens With Performance of LA Trapiata'
Portrait of EnricO Caruso Dis
played by Directors in
TenOr's Memory.

The thirteenth season of opera UNI
der the direction of Giulo Gatti-
Casazza began one year ago at the
Metropolitan Opera House with pro-
duction of Halevy's LA Juive,' En-
rico Caruso singing the role OF
Eledzur The fourteenth season be-
gan last evening with a performance
of Verdi's La Traviata," Nine, Ame-
lita Galli-Curci singing the role of
Violetta Valery.
Many profound lessons might be
drawn from this transfer of the crown
Of royalty from the brow of a king OF
but the great army of the carefree
will merely cry lie roi est mort
Yive la Reine."
Nevertheless some of those in last
evenings brilliant audience could not
cease from mourning their loss. A
handsome portrait, decked with palms
and purple ribbons, stood in the upper
corridor TO show that the directors
had not forgotten.
Nine. Galli-C Curci. long known to
local opera lovers adored by those
who exalt the beauty of naked sound
above ell else in music, had not in
frequently been heard elsewhere in
La Traviata," but her debut on the
stage of the Metropolitan, a demon
stration of the able impresario's de-
sire to find star to fill the suddenly
darkened space in the lyric armament,
was welcomed with plaudits long and
loud.
Beniamino Gigli. tenor. who made
himself welcome last season. was the
impersonator of Alfredo. the inpassioned
young gentleman. whose papa. like many
other papas in the lifetime of the world.
was so distressed about his infatuation
for the vlrtuous vamp. Giuseppe de Luca
represented papa. the summit of whose
career is attained with the delivery of
that immortal berceuse of the hearth
side known as "Dl provensa." Both Of
these singers We're cordially received on
their return to the scenes of their former
triumphs.
pihi-SuuCI " NC a
victim OF stage fright in her first scene.
At any rate her singing was not that of
great operate star. She was frequently
below the pitch and some of her phras-
ing was not In accord with her own
former methods. In the scene with
Alfredo she gave the illusion OF much
fattered demi-mondaine in a mt of i'll
temper. There was altogether too much
staccato in both "Ah. fors lui and
"Sempre liberia" But the audience re-
warded her efforts-quite palpable even
to the strangely corHulslve drawing
aside of her lips--with warm applause.
Subsequently she acquired greater
composure and sang with more smooth
ness and certainty The natural beauty
Of her voice was all that It used to be.
and 1t is one of the most beautiful voices
this public has ever heard. Those who
wondered whether IL would sound as
well In the Metropolitan as II had In tho
Lexington and the Manhattan found
their doubts quickly set at rest. Nine
Call -Carc!'s song seemed 10 carry well
to all parts Of the house.
1t Is hardly necessary 20 add that her
impersonation of the lady of the camel
lias had charm and plaintive tenderness.
II not profound pathos, The accents OF
agony are not found in this sopranos
tones. and In the one or two passages
of the score. where ViolcttG might pos
sibly start q tear. she evoked perhaps
only sigh But opera audiences do not
expect deep tragedy in la Traviata."
and the assembly of last night without
doubt enjoyed the singing OF Nine. Call
Curci and was glad 10 welcome her to
the Metropolitan.
Mr.. Gigli in bis old-fashioned costume
looked like dlgnifici family retainer.
but he sang admirably For the benefit
of those who place an srorbitan. value
on high notes he sang -, G on "croce
dclizia" outside the MiIuJa'. He did
not hold It very lone. bpt the soprano
held all her Figh notes long enough TO
make the average OF lofty durations very
considerable.
Mr. De Lucas Cermont was always
excellent and J. was so last evening.
The small parts were all in good hands.
No ouc Of them ia Of any Importance.
but Mr.. Gatti-Casazzas capable second
singers st least impaired some life to
them. There was a new scenic garb
for the opera. 1t was from the brush of
joseph Urban and was generally suit
able and effective. Roberto Moranzoni
conducted and showed his familiar
knowledge OF operatic routine.