New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-14
'Dubrovsky,' by
Napravnik, Is
Presented Here
Russian Grand Opera Cast
Gives First Performance
of Work i'm This City
and Second i'm Country
Based on Pushkin Story
Brother of Tschaikowsky
Supplies the LibreilO:
Principals Gain Favor

Napravniks opera "Dubrovsky," wa
presented for the first time in New
York 1T the Second Avenue Theatei
last evening by the Russian Grand
Opera Company. 1t was not the first
American performance Of this work, as
recently announced. for the company
gave the opera on the road before
reaching this city.
The composer. Edward Franzovich
Napravnik. was born IN 1899 in
Bohemia. lie first went 70 Peirograd
in 1861 as director Of Prince Youssi-
pov's private orchestra. a few years
later he became organist Of tho In
perial Thcater and assistant TO
Iiadov. fret conductor at the Margin
sky Thcater. afterward succeeding him
in this position. Napravnik improved
the character tho orchestra and as
sisted in compiling the repertoire. Hc
Is the composer OF four operas :
"Citizens OF Novgorod." Harold.
Francesca da Rimini,' and "pubrov-
sky" besides a prologue and six chord
episodes for Count Alexis Tolstoy' a
dramatic poem, "Don Juan
Based Upon Pushkin story
Teehaikowsky's brother Modesto.
supplied the libretto for "Dubr0ysky,
which is based on n story by Pushkin.
Trockourof. wealthy and dcspotic
noblcman. quarrels with bis former
friend. the elder Dubrovsky. and UNI
lawfully claims his estate. Overcome
with rcmorse, he attempts reconciiia-
ton. but Dubrovsky spurns his over
lures Of peace. Tho interlopcr then
orders the old man 90 leave his estate.
The shock kills Dubrovsky. and his
scrfs. in revenge. set FIRE 60 bis home
before Troekourof can take posses
sion OF his ill-gotton gains. The
younger Dubroysky, hero Of the opera,
turns highwayman. Disguised as q
French tutor. be enters the service OF
TrockouroF. and courts his daughter
Nasha. who before their fathers quar-
rel had been destined FOR his bride.
Troekourof. however. has other plans
for his daughter. He orders her 70
wed the wealthy old prince Fereisky-
Dubrovsky corfesses biz IDENTIFY 70
Nasha. who returns HE love. lc leaves
her fathers house. first giving her
ring which will summon him 70 her
side in case Of need. Threatened with
an immediate marriage. Masha SENDS
the ring 20 her lover. but 10 ~ inter-
cepted. The wedding takes place be-
fore the young highwayman can come
TO her assistance. DubTovsky waylsys
the bridal couple on their wedding
Journey and seeks 70 carry OF Mssna'
but she remains true TO her marriage
VOW and Dubrovsky leaves the country.
OPERATE Version Different
This is the story as told b. Pushkin.
For operatic purposes the original YER
sion has been altered. Dubrovsky Is
shot By Troekourof guards, and
Mashs. proclaiming her love, falls dead
90 his side.
The music has little originality.
There are echoes OF Gounod, Wagner
and other composers. but 1t IS pleasant
and grateful for the singers.
One Of the most agreeable numbers ~
a setting Of Coppee's poem "Ne lamais
la voir. r. ientendre," which Masha
sings with the supposed tutor.
The chief merits Of the performance
lay in Miss Mashir's gracious inter
pretation Of the role Of Masha. IN Mr.
t.ukin's authoritative Trockourof and
IN Mr.. Tulchinov's sympathetic per
Torrance o. the elder Dubroysky. The
hiehwayan hero was poorly sung ana
indifcrcnty acted by Mr.. Swetioy'