Metropolitan Opera Archives

Last evening at the Metropolitan Massenet's "Don Quichotte" received its second performance of the current revival and, as upon the occasion of its premiere, it proved to be not Massenet's after all, but Mr. Feodor Chaliapin's. The spurious frame which the composer and librettist have devised for this very great heroic figure is so infinitely trivial, beside the portrait which the singer paints, that it scarcely needs to be considered.

Last evening the power of his actor's art was enhanced by better singing than Mr. Chaliapin has produced recently. Throughout the impersonation he achieves and projects a singular quality of exaltation, both histrionically and vocally, which is deeply moving. There was vociferous applause after each act and the conclusion to assure him that his public was consciously grateful.

The remainder of the cast played their parts with varying degrees of excellence. Miss Easton as the "lovely Dulcinea," was in good voice, and M. De Luca's Sancho revealed qualities of pathos and humor that were admirable. Other roles were sung by Mmes. Anthony and Egener, Messrs. Meader, Bada, Ananian, Reschiglian, Gabor, D'Angelo and Wolfe. Mr. Hasselmans conducted with an enthusiasm which, at times, was somewhat sentimental.

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