The New York herald., 1922-12-03
BY w. J. HENDERSON.

The first performance this season Of
Verdi's Don Carlos" at the Metropoli-
tan Opera House presented itself for
the delectation of large and ap-
parently much pleased audience yes
terday afternoon. The salient feature
of the representation was the emer-
gence of F'eodor Chaliapin as that ia
nous sovereign, Philip III. Of Spain.
That the distinguished Russian should
wish to enact the royal and suspicious
father whose son was the object Of his
hatred is mildly astonishing, for the
role is not one of the famous ones OF
opera.
If 1t had been the historical Philip.
the ambition of the bass might be
more readily understood for Philip
was very active gentleman, a fire.
quent and dangerous husband. though
he failed in his desire to espouse the
great Elizabeth OF England, and very
cunning wielder of the terrors of the
Inquisition. He married, among others,
Mary l. of England, but that marriage
was a failure. Mary bore no son and
England turned a cold shoulder on the
Spanish potentate. This eminent mon
arch draia ned Spain of her resources
and himself fell a victim TO the sea.
power OF Britain and the phlegmatic
stubbornness of the Dutch.
Mr. Chalapin justified his choice OF
role by his impersonation. He pos
sesses the highest skill in the compo-
sition of a character. and ais Philip
was an impressive dramatic portrait
noteworthy in makeup, costume and
carriage This King was a tyrans.
though not wholly successful as one.
and tyrant Mr.. Chaliapin pictured,
brutal pitiless, cowardly and in all
things mean. His treatment of the
music was that to which he has ac-
-customed his audiences. He sang
when he wished TO and spoke when he
found speaking to hia fancy. But
whatever he did had theatrical quail
ity and fixed the attention of the audi
ence.
Nine Peralta represented the Queen
and Nine Gordon the much disturbed
Princess Ebol. Mr.. Martinelli as Don
Carlos and Mr.. de Luca as the Span
death contributed items of interest to
the performance. The scene between
the King and the Grand Inquisitor,
usually omitted in the Metropolitan
version of the opera, was restored Tor
Mr. Chaliapin, who in this received
efficient aid from Mr.. Rothier.
In the evening "L'Oracolo" and
"Pagliacci'' were given. In the for
mer the principals were familiar. Miss
Bori was once again most attractive
and musical All Yoe. and Mr.. Cham
lee a competent Win -Sdn-LMi.
special word Of praise is due Mr..
d'Angelo for his good singing Hoo
TSin But naturally the interest or
the audience was held chiefly by MIR.
Scott in his now famous impersona-
ton of Chin Fem and Mr.. Didur in
his excellent embodiment of the
learned doctor and tragic avenger
Win Skec The whole performance
was good and Mr.. Moranzoni con-
Quoted it admirably
In "Pagliacc" the chief singers
were Miss Elizabeth Rethberg as
Ncddo. Morgan Kingston as Cdnio
and Giuseppe Danise as Tonic. The
latter of course aroused enthusiasm
with the prologue, which he sang in
ceremonial costume, including
swallow tailed coat. Mr.. Kingston
sang Cd1,ios music well. Miss Reth-
berg was a fairly good Media, though
her acting and her vocal style were
/ somewhat heavy for the part. But
she sang the first song well and made
some good points in the dramatic ac-
I ton.