Reviews — The New York Times

From the New York Times - April 10, 1882

     I observe with regret and surprise the announcement of Massenet's “Hérodiade” as one of the possible novelties to be produced during the forthcoming Italian opera season at Covent Garden. As I feel sure I represent the feelings of most persons acquainted with this work, I trust you will allow me to utter a protest against its production on the English stage. My objection to this work is based on the character of the “libretto,” which, besides being ridiculous in itself, is most objectionable and offensive as being a flagrant outrage on literary, historical, and religious good taste. I think few persons in England will be prepared quietly to accept the gross caricature of sacred history served out to them by M. Massenet's librettists, who, besides numerous minor breaches of good taste, have turned St. John the Baptist into an amorous “ténor du grand opéra,” who, in true operatic style, warbles out a quantity of maudlin love ditties to Salome, and have introduced within the sacred precincts of the temple a modern corp de ballet. That I am by no means singular in my objections to this work is proved by the fact that, although it had been in active rehearsal for many weeks, the management of the splendid new opera house at Geneva have been obliged to give up all ideal of its production, since the Municipal Council (a body by no means overburdened with religious scruples) have refused to grant any money toward it on the ground that the libretto was of a nature to wound the feelings of many of the rate-payers, and that a numerous and influential memorial to that effect had been presented to them.

Last updated December 29, 2006