The New York herald., 1922-11-17
Bori and Johnson,
Mem Tenor, Sing
at Metropolitan
Montemezzi's 'L'Amore del Ire
Re- Has Seasons First
Performance.
by w. j. HENDERSON,.

Montemezzi's 'L'Amore del Tire Re"
vas given at the metropolitan Opera
House last evening. There was abun-
.lant evidence that the audience WAS
interested in the opera and pleased
with the performance. Since the work
was first performed here it has held
the favor with which it was originally
received. Its fortunes have never
been hazardous, it's values never ex-
aggerated, its career never subjected
10 the assaults of sensation. Its pro-
duction created deep satisfaction
which has proved TO be abiding. Those
who questioned its want of popular
elements have come TO see that the
fneness OF its texture had something
OF the elegance and purity OF the
classic style, but with the figure of
modern pattern superimposed upon It.
The high character OF the tragedy of
Sem Benelli, out of which the opera is
made, challenges the attention OF
audiences at every repetition. The
Play is admirable. absorbing and pow
erfully tragic without the aid of the
music. For the musical communica-
ton or the moods Montemezzi found
1nelodic. rhythmic and harmonic idloms
wholly suitable and artistically excel
lent. There is no other recent Italian
opera in which elevation of manner
and nice adaptability OF musical means>
to poetic purpose are so beautifully
displayed.
the performance last evening was
one Of superlative excellence Miss
Bori, who was the original Flora at the
metropolitan, was heard once more in
the role. Other singers have credita-
bly, lmpersonated the heroine of tho
Tragedy. and even Miss Mary Garden
has lent to the part the magic spell Of
her singuarly interesting personality;
bnt no other version has been so NOV
ing, so deeply felt, so direct and con-
Tipcing in it's publication OF the pur-
poses OF the poet and the composer
Miss Boris voice was in excellent con-
dltion last evening and she sang the
music beautifully. She achieved, fur
thermore, an unusual effect of contrast
in color in her dialogues with the hus-
band and the lover The voice alone
would have proclaimed where her love
lay.
Edward Johnson, formerly of the
chicago opera. was the AUito. His
treatment Of the part should have been
familiar. but it was not. Mr.. johnson
found his new surroundings much to
his taste. He acted and sang with
more finish and yet with more freedom
than he did with the Chicago organi-
zation. His 1rifo was always good.
but last night it was better. There
fore his debut with the Metropolitan
company was successful, and II is
probable that he will be popular adj
dltion to the forces of Mr.. Gatti-Ca-
sazza
r.-Didur's Archibdldo Is too famil-
lar to call for description. II was
worthy OF the warm applause It re-
ceived last night. Mr.. Danise made
himself welcome appearing for the
first time as Manfrcdo, the wronged
husband. He was in good voice and
sang well. The performance was ca
pably conducted by Mr.. Moranzoni.
The audience was demonstrative.
Mrs. BENJAMIN G. Lathrop and Miss
sylvia Lathrop of London; Mr.. and Mrs.
J. rank Brown Keech and Mr.. and Mrs.
Leroy w. Baldwin were with Mr.. Fred
eric A. Juilliard.
With Mr.. and Mrs. Leonard M.
THOMAS in the Goelet box were Mr..
end Mrs ]. Philip Bernhard and Mr.. and
Nirs. Gerome Brush.
With Mrs. W. Watts Sherman were Mr.
and Mrs. Francis l.. V. Hoppin, Mr.
end Mrs. Lawrence L. Gillespie, add
ar Z. Coster Wimerding.
col. and Mrs. Edward NJ House. Mrs.
A. :. Franklin. and Mr.. Frederic
pcits Moore were with Mrs. Charles A.
Childs in the Frick box.
With Mrs. Charles r. Alexander were
ATS. Charles Templeton Crocker, Mr..
end Mrs. Malcolm ID. Whitman. and
AIR. \. Norris Bagby and Mr.. w. Rhine
Lander Stewart.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Larocquo. Mrs.
Reginald de Koven. Mr. William c.
1.elck and Mr.. ". Stephen Van Rens-
s-laer we're with Mrs. J. Russell Solely.
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt. Jr's, guests
we're Mrs. Oscar Cooper. Miss Marion
j.. Hoffman. Messrs. Frederic II. cou-
dert. Jr.. Worthinston Davis and Charles
/. Hanford.
Mr.. and Mrs. Herman d. Kountze's
guests we're Miss Cornelia Livingston.
Eliss Elizabeth Kountze. Mr.. Harry
cushing Sd, and a. Coster schermer-
horn.