Bob’s
World of
J. Massenet

Reviews — The New York Times

From the New York Times February 28, 1912

DOUBLE OPERA BILL
AT THE METROPOLITAN
Massenet’s “Le Jongleur de Notre
Dame,” with Mary Garden,
Sung by Chicago Company.
“THE SECRET OF SUZANNE”
Wolf-Ferrari’s Charming One-Act
Piece Given with Carolina White
as the Countess Gil.

THE SECRET OF SUZANNE

Count Gil                                   Alfredo Costa
Countess Gil                              Carolina White
Sante                                         Francesco Daddi
Music Director - Ettore Perosio.

LE JONGLEUR DE NOTRE DAME

Jean                                           Mary Garden
Boniface                                     Maurice Renaud
The Prior                                    Hector Dufranne
The Poet Monk                          Edmond Warnery
The Painter Monk                      Gustave Huberdeau
The Sculptor Monk                    Constantin Nicolay
The Musician Monk                   Armand Crabbe
A Buffoon                                  Jean De Keyser
A Drunken Man                         Desire Defrere
A Knight                                    Charles Meyer
General Musical Director - Cleofonte Campanini.

     It had been intended to present Wolf-Ferrari’s latest opera, “I Giojelli della Madonna,” last night at the Metropolitan Opera House as the third of the series of performances given by the Philadelphia-Chicago Company, but the illness of Mario Sammarco, who is an important factor in the cast, prevented that. The fact was known on Monday and was announced yesterday morning, but the arriving audience found posters in the lobby of the theatre with the details of thee change of bill.
     Under the new arrangement a double bill was given, the works including Wolf-Ferrari’s charming one-act piece, “The Secret of Suzanne,” and Massenet’s “Le Jongleur de Notre Dame.”
     This latter work had been a feature of Mr. Hammerstein’s répertoire at the Manhattan Opera House with a cast which did not differ in any significant particular from that of last night, or, as a matter of fact, from that which was usually heard at the Manhattan.
     This cast included Miss Mary Garden in the rôle of the juggler, Jean, to which she contributes many picturesque details; Mr. Renaud in his unforgettable impersonation of the monk cook, Boniface, and Mr. Dufranne as the Prior. Some of the less important characters were in newer hands. Mr. Campanini conducted.
     Mario Sammarco’s illness in some way affected the presentation of “The Secret of Suzanne,” for he has been accustomed to sing the part of the Count. He was heard in the part, in fact, the two times that the work was sung in New York last season. Last night Alfredo Costa appeared in the rôle. Carolina White again sang the music allotted to the cigarette-smoking wife and Francesco Daddi again appeared as the dumb servant. Ettore Perosio conducted this opera.

Last updated December 30, 2006