Reviews — The New York Times

From the New York Times - December 14, 1897

AN OPERA BY MASSENET.
Second Performance of the Theatre
of Musical Arts at the Astoria.

     Last evening the second in a series of eight entertainments was given by the newly formed Theatre of Musical Arts in the ballroom of the Astoria Hotel before a large audience, among those where members were a large number of men and women prominent in social life. The handsome room, with its luxurious furnishings and decorations, made an effective frame for the rich evening dresses and jewels of the women.
     The innovation of small tables with chairs grouped around them, instead of stiff rows of seats on the ballroom floor, introduced at the first entertainment, was so warmly welcomed that the management last evening only left three or four rows of seats in front and those persons who did not occupy boxes sat around these tables. After the opera which was first on the bill, the men smoked, and drinks were served, so that the room presented the appearance of a large club parlor with the added feature of the presence of ladies.
     After the stage performances at 11:15 P.M. Franko’s Orchestra played for an hour, and many members and guests remained to enjoy the music, and supper was served at the small tables.
     The entertainment was made up of Massenet’s one-act opera comique, “Le Portrait de Manon,” an Andalusian dance from Massenet’s opera “Le Cid”, and a pantomime, “Put to the Test,” by Edwin Star Belknap, with music by Harvey W. Loomis. “Le Portrait de Manon” was exceedingly well staged and on the whole, fairly well sung by M. de Bassini as Des Grieux, M. Wiallard as Tiberge, Mlle. Chalia as Moncerf, and Mlle. de Breler as Aurore. The story is a sort of epilogue to Massenet’s opera, “Manon.” After Manon’s unhappy end, her brother Lescaut died leaving his child Aurora in poverty. Tiberge has adopted her without revealing her parentage. Des Grieux, inconsolable at the loss of his own mistress, devotes his life to the education of his ward, Jean. The youth falls in love with Aurore, and asks his guardian’s permission to marry her, but Des Grieux, in consternation at Jean’s infatuation, and still suffering from his own tragic passion, refuses to allow him to risk his happiness in mesalliance, and the disconsolate young lovers appeal to Tiberge for aid. Tiberge pleads in vain and finally bids Aurore to don an old costume of Manon’s and pass before the window of Des Grieux’s study. Her striking resemblance to Manon is thus suddenly revealed to Des Grieux, who thinks her an apparition of his old love. Tiberge explains the deception and resemblance, and Des Grieux, softened by the tender emotions of memory, consents to their union.
     From the opening of the evening there was a marked improvement over the first entertainment in the social atmosphere. The removal of the carpet made the room seem lighter, and bettered its appearance. People moved around chatting during the entr’actes, and there was a pleasurable air of life gayety and success from start to finish.

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Last updated December 30, 2006