The New York herald., 1922-04-11

1t was evident at the Metropolitan
Opera House last evening that '"rosca''
was still very popular opera. Mime.
Marie Jeritza. the viennese prima
donna who created a sensation earlier
In the season as the Roman singer. had
taken ship after the manner Of Euro
pean singers two days after her final
appearance and sped eastward across
the Atlantic to her nest in the Austrian
capital Miss Geraldine Farrar, who
used to have Toscd all to herself, re-
turned to the part. The house was
packed TO the walls.
In bygone days the Metropolitan had
more than one Toscd. The public
seemed to enjoy different impersona-
tions of the role. Audiences were large
whether Nine. Ternina embodied the
noblest Roman of them ALL" or Nine.
Eames showed that a professional singer
might be cool and aristocratic and yet
move Scott to violent passion. or
course 1t was Scotti. He has been
Scarpia ever since the curtain first rose
on this work OF Puccini. He has chased
more Toscas than any other living man.
He has lately been chased. He has lost
flesh. 1t is said that he will go into
retirement next summer at Saratoga TO
recuperate.
But In the bygone days no matter
what ToscG killed Scotti iE' the second
act the house was always full Perhaps
the old days have come back. And per-
haps II was partisan audience last
evening. Surely the honorable band OF
rerryflappers was present and attending
to its usual duty. Miss Farrar. how
ever, was in 10 need OF organized aid.
She was In goo1 voice and she sang
Toscd for the last time at the Metro
politan in su(p manner as to leave q
happy impression.
When Miss Farrar first impersonated
Tosca she was uncertain, colorleSs and
futile But she devoted herself to the
conquest of the part until in recent
years she has given admirable perform
ance. especially from the musical point
OF view. She was never better in the
part than she was last evening. She
gave the audience her best and, with Mr.
Scott as Scdrrid and Mr.. Gig!i as
capital Cdpdrddossi. she made the pres
entation of Puccini's opera memorable.
Mr.. Moranzoni contributed to the gen.
eral result by his conducting.
Outburst During Second Act.
After the ViSsi dArte aria In tne
second act there was an outburst OF ap-
pause for Miss Farrar such as is seldom
beard in the Metropolitan at this point
in the opera. At the end of this act the
demonstration got fairly under way.
There were about fifteen recalls. in most
OF which Gigli and Scott shared be-
cause the orima donna would have 1t SO.
During one trip before the curtain Scott
kissed her hand and Miss Farrar re-
sponded with one on the cheek
Then a huge basket of flowers was
passed across the footlights. From
an.cng the beautiful blossoms white
dove fluttered into the arms of Miss
Tarrar. Tied to one foot was a carl
that read "Come Back Again" and the
irvitation was signed From Eight Little
Girls" So much for the main incidents
after act two.
For the end of the opera Miss Far
rars admirers had reserved the excess
of their emotional fervor. About two
thousand persons, 1t seemed. remained
to applaud and shout "bravas' and
call for speech. The demonstration
lasted about ten minutes. Miss Farrar
and Gigli took many recalls together.
Finally the lights we're dimmed and
the asbestos curtain was lowered. Still
the enthusiasts would not go home.
The house was lighted again 'aIad the
curtain raised. disclosing Miss rarrar