Metropolitan Opera Archives

Although this is the last week of the opera, "Les Huguenots" was sung at the Metropolitan Opera House last night for the second time this season. The audience was one of moderate size. It would be idle to speculate as to the causes of this. In fact, most attempts to account for the vagaries of public taste are vain. The probabilities are that public taste has nothing to do with it. The public is not quite sure what it likes sometimes. "Les Huguenots" is quite as good as some other operas that meet with high favor, and the cast last night was one that should have pleased that mysterious person, the average operagoer.

Raoul is not a very heroic part until the fourth act, but M. Jean de Reszke makes a romantic and graceful figure of it. He sings the music with taste and sentiment, and when the climax does come he rises to its demands with fine vigor. Edouard de Reszke makes a stalwart and sonorous Marcel. M. Lassalle is the embodiment of courtly elegance as St. Bris, while Signor Martapoura is an acceptable De Nevers. It seems as if a cast that embraces the three great men of the company should attract enough people to fill the house.

Mme. Nordica is heard to advantage as Valentine. The strength and volume of her voice are admirably displayed in the ensembles. Mme. Arnoidson sings the music of Marguerite de Valois correctly and at times brilliantly. As for Mme. Scalchi, the public does not seem ever to weary of hearing her "Nobil Signor" and her "Ah, No. No, No." The chorus had no serious difficulty with Meyerbeer's pretentious but easy music, and the orchestra, always does its work creditably. The ballet disports itself with agility, and the scenery is presentable. Signor Bevignani conducted last night, and the performance was generally smooth and effective. Tonight an extra performance of the perennial "Carmen" will be given.

Search by season: 1893-94

Search by title: Les Huguenots,

Met careers