THE SUN, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1919. Albert Wolff Tells How the Strains ' of Music For "The Blue Bird" Came To Amid the Roar of Battle Him -- r i nrv iir"'""-7r- Young Composer Believes Score for Turn Maeterlinck's Fairy Opera, Written i at the Front, Excels An7 He Could Have Turned Out in Peace Times Says the Work Made fjfm a Better Soldier.

By WILLIS STEELL. HOLD Maeterlinck In high cs year, this season, I was at length free tlmatlon as author and I am to set. them down, to begin the mag- num opus. I selected quiet place "I In adoration beforo htm as a had a where my children and their mother rnn." might lo happy and healthful whllo I, Thus spake Albert Wolff, who has although with them, would have per- set tho Belgian poet's fairy story to fect retirement and seclusion for my work. Is known happened. music, tho resulting opera Is to It what and Barely were wo released from tho have Its world premier on the evening cares of Paris, hardly had I laid out of December 27 at the Metropolitan sheets of clean, whlto ruled muslo Opera House. paper when the summons camo from patrie, In place of pen Albert was youngest con tho and and Wolff the piano I had gun and knapsack. I served ductor of opera In Paris when ho first throughout tho war and came forth met Maeterlinck. Ho will be 30 years as you seo me, pas llessce, without a old on January 19. Tho occasion of single wound. Indeed, with health ruddier than when I went to fight. their meeting was the production In Paris of tho play "L'Olseau Blue,' Wrote and Fouuht. and Monsieur Wolff, who Just had "My 'time, even from my work, was been taken on as assistant conductor not lost, for I wrote a great part of of tho orchestra of tho Opera Comtque, tho score of 'L'Oiseau Bleu' whllo In active service. The original pages of being ad- even then an enthusiastic tho score show many notes of tho mirer of the Belgian author, was bor- places near the front lines In northern rowed to adapt and conduct certain France, where In my tent, relieved for music for the play. a time from duty, I did the actual work of recording my compositions. "Our acquaintance," he said, "began Yos, to tho bursting of bombs, tho auspiciously and has grown ever since, shriek of sheila. I had so attuned my with never a cloud of misunderstand- ing between us, M. Maeterlinck pos- sesses the musician's understanding and sensibility; hl3 thought and mine have moved from the beginning In parallel lines, indeed, if there was ti cholco of musical phrase to carry a lino of the dialogue to Its highest point (I speak of tho play) Its author choso unerringly. "Throughout the rehearsals we met constantly, frequently taking together the petit dejeuner, and In his every This premiere will bo given under begin work on It whllo here. I tl aspect I saw only something to ad- tho auspices of the Interallied Art As- wish to speak with M. Maeterlinck la mire. If one should question me of sociation and patronized by the King regard to writing music for 'Tho Maeterlinck and his philosophy, dnubt-f- ul and Queen of tho Belgians and by Betrothal,' as It Is known here, tho if tho man and his creed are one, President Polncaro of France. The sequel to 'Tho Bluo Bird.' I aa ,1 must reply as I have known him money taken will bo given to tho charmed with tho play and wish t through many and various phases that Queen of tho Belgians' Fund, do my best with It. Possibly whether they aro Inseparable. The author of Fund for French Children, the or not it seems to tho author to to 'L'Oiseau Blue' and the other beautiful Three Big Sisters Organization (Catho- adapted to a musical setting may d- books and plays signed 'Maeterlinck lic, Protestant and Jewish) and tho epend on what tho public thinks of his Is Maeterlinck tho man. It Is, Impos- Milk for Children of America Fund. 'L'Olseau.' Certainly If the difficulties sible also to know the man without "Under such conditions of first pro- of tho ending of tho third act of our knowing his works. duction is It not fair to assume that present opera have been overcome, critical opinions of tho opera may be and the scene of 'The Kingdom of tho Rarely In Pari. withheld?" M. Wolff vas asked. He Future' carries tho full effect we hopo "Since the production of that play I answered: "I hopo not, but do not for, we shall bo happy. pcone Time takrt havo missed no opportunity to con-tin- anticipate softer treatment from tho This Is tho where and increase our friendship. critics because the opera la to bo so on board of the Ship ot Dawn the souls Maeterlinck is rarely in Paris, but I glvon as a benefit. If It is not treated that are to bo lorn and sets sail for take j saw him as frequently as possible In as a serious work of art on this first Earth. There tho Blue Children nis nome near by. He made this easier public occasion it will bo at subse- leave of their fortunate companions on bye, Pierre! for me than for many of his ac- -' quent repetitions when thcro aro no tho galley, crying 'flood qualntances, for he Uvea removed as such attendant conditions." Good bye, Jean! Have you ail voj they far as possible from the world and t0 When M. Wolff arrived In this coun- want? Send me news of Earth, his inner life few are admitted. ' try oarly In September it was his first say ono can't, but try do try' Try us 'During the rehearsals I conceived visit. IIo is "enchantee" with America to tell us If It's nice!' And then galley for Earth the thought that the 'Blue Bird" should WHO is Tl-T- U IN "LOHTEUE and delighted with everything that the sails of tho bound xnako an adorable story for music, and connects him to tho opera hoifse. pass and disappear tho children's as soon as I could muster courage I Especially Is ho grateful at being able voices aro heard In tho distance, sing- eald to M. Maeterlinck: through tho coordination of every one ing: Tho Earth; The Earth! "'Maltre et ami, If I am able to pre- senses that I heard them not, for In opera, M. Wolff. May we not hear of have been Interpolated by Roslna Ill Ml In tho work of production of remain- pare myself notes, to tho Galli. every least detail I am satis- - M IIIMI ing faithful "all tho time to Maeter- How beautiful it Is! to write a musical setting my mind floated tho not all oi It without reference play?" In MWW-WlMKWi- bright It Is! your composer, so fled the care thought be- - linck." How to beautiful story will you give which are still to bo heard in tho score "No," replied tho "for with and MM I II W i&SBH How big It Is! mo permission to piece In Its form stowed on my piece rrom mgnor to try?' of this fairy opera. close tho dramatic ItrhonmliiK' "Manon." other Gattl-Casaz- And is hoard tho sound of "Well do I remember look he should be asking too much If I has the musical version kept that to down to the least of tho wmmMmmmmsxsmmmv4.m.imi then the "I of tho mothers com- turned on me, a searching look, were to denomlnato labor I then separate them hardly would bo possi- workmen. Everything has been done In his work hero as conductor h voices, the bong but tho ing to meet them. If, as we hopo, one full of kindness. Then he grasped gave under theso singular conditions ble. Ono must remember that the to please M. Maeterlinck and me. has directed so far tho performances out In tho Bimplo sublimity of tho author's my band and said with a lovely smile: as n da I bellve that tho theme Is quite unlike any that has of "Faust" and "Carmen," both of four force. which Miss conception is carried to tho auditors "You shall write the opera work steadied me and helped mo to be been staged in opera. For this phase Cunt In Nanicroun. Furrar has suns?. At the present time ho is directing or- of our opera climax then w 1Olscau Bleau,' you are no other. I a soldier. And for tho same of drama strong scenes always have the at its better "The cast Is very long comprehend- chestra in tho may hopo for "The Betrothal" to fo- give my consent fully and gratefully.' reason I do not ask to havo any of the succeeded best; In fact, mclodrame has rehoarsals of "Manon" ing moro than fifty characters, no ono (Massenet's), and llow. "Mark the word he employed, 'grate- they are found lack- the best opportunity In opera. A quiet MAUPIOE throughout the results excused if of whom save tho few principal char- ecason, for will am not permanently in America, fully,' and this to a young man who exceptional condi- plot, a few charming characteriza- "JAETEKMNCrO ho remain that length "I ing because of the great to sing, T very well had not yet proved might never tions have not proved sufficient, how- acters has a deal but all of time, his baton will sway over tho oven should I doslro it as and tions. For I believe they are better of whom aro Important In tho music operas. might, Inspiring has prove himself, at Is revelation of ever well musically they have been French Ho Is a product of the so delightful and a than they might .have come forth in as in story. you compare tho L'OUEAU my reception, am loaned, the gentle nature of great treated. It Is not necessary for me to the If Paris Conservatoire. been but I the author. happier times of pence. musical from tho was six, nay seven years ago, say that tho genius of Maeterlinck Is cast with the characters as J3L.EU Tho composer has taken an apart- that Is, my leave of absence "That "Thus, however, tho opera wan sot In the you period and at once I began to give my directly opposed to melodrama. In down book will see that ment on Central Park West and has Opera Comlquo is but for tho heart mainly written, for much that I had they practically correspond. Hero Is present season. tho fu and my soul to miutfc his most tragic plays the philosopher his wlfo and youngest child with him. of tho What dream the that composed beforo tho war rejected. threo-yoar-o- I our ld do know no should sing his Bimplo alwaya abounds with his soothing and quiet cast: She Is a girl who Is ture may havo for mo to I but It did not 'compose,' as tho painters Tyltyl, Itaymondo Darlings in charming words. was easy. ing religion. In 'L'Olseau Bleu' he Delaunols; Mytyl, rapidly learning to talk English and moro than tho llttlo Bluo It not I say, with the notes that echoed nlmut Mary Ellis; Mary should have been free and with a is present, but depicted through the Maman Tyl, Florence Kellogg; Lc Petit Amoureux, Minnie Gordon; Le Donhcur, Melllsh; threatens to teach her father as soon the Kingdom ot tho Future." my head whllo I sat putting them Easton; Vcre Tyl, Paolo Ananlan; Egcner; Helena Adel.'na Vosarl; Lo give with wide mind cleared of all else. On the con- medium of children. Their happy am La PctUe Amourcuse, L'Enfant, Lait, as ho can her his tlrao. That A strapping fellow down In my 'pup' tent. Qrand Mdman Tyl, Mary be, M. strong, fea trary, about this time was made trustful acceptance of many thing Loulso Berat; Marsh; La Joic d'etre Juste, Margaret Tiffany; L'Eau, Adellna Vosarl; will not Wolff said smiling, of chest, determined I "At tho time of tho armistice I was accep- Grand Papa Tyl, Un Angelo M, Trench premier chef d'orchestro tho their freedom from fear, their Leon Bothler; Farnham; Petit L'nfnt, Miss Lc Sucre, Octavo Dua; Le Feu, until aftor Maeterlinck, who Is due tures nnd sharp chin is this at In Paris, and M. Maeterlinck 6oon L'Amour bright and Comlquo and time for thoughts of any- tance of the supernatural as If It were Matcrnell, Florence Easton; Stabe; La Jole dc voir cc qui eat beau, Bada; Un Autre Enfant, Miss Ken to arrlvo December 20, has been hero composer. Ills eyes aro made an appearance thcro. Wo met, La Jole dc Comprendrc, Ax-ma- n; Cecil En- It thing but that opera house became the commonest thing in life, i3 Maeter- Gladys Arden; La Fee, Jeanno Gordon; ncdy; I Jin font. Miss Bellerl; II and gone. His other children, three clear, his manner tano, and and ho already had begun to condole up- La Lumiere, A'liif, Ingram; fant, boys, In bo than It Is moro and more restricted. linck brought down, or carried Flora Perlnl; Lc La Frances La Chattc, Miss Florence; HI Enfant, Miss aro at school Brussels. easier to predict of him with mo because of the serious inter- ward, as ono viows the direction, into 1'ere Temps, Leon Kothier; Le Pain, Margaret Ilomalno; Lc Chlcn, Hobcrt Bornlggla, IV Enfant, Phylls Whlto, "I havo another scoro In my head," of most men that his future la largely war, &c, when surprised Jinny HcYlYala, ruptions of I tho puro realm of childhood. Then Mario Laurenti; La Petite Fille, Edna Couzlnou; Mine, Ilcrllngot, Jeanno and V Jhxfant, Miss Mnnettl. said tho composer, "and I hopo to 'n his own hands. him by saying: are poignant moments in the score of "How impossible it became to write '"Zlaltrc, will you do mo tho kind- L'01eau Bleu,' but no tragedy. music may bo understood when I re- ness to an evening when may set I "Except in one particular tho book U-Bo- capitulate the new works of Impor- play you my new opera?' of the opora Is almost the book of tho at tance that in these years were being Secrecy "'Quelle opera?" he demanded, then play. That particular Is the clement Lifted by Naval Commander produced under my baton. They were answered himself, 'You mean tho of comedy. In the play it exists, but WHAT Germany had dono in which gavo young America a chanco qualified will tell tho story of the wero apparently only two vessels of continued through progressive etagei 'Pelleas et Meltsande,' 'Aphrodite,' - Marchand? But you forget, my dear simply and naturally, as It- should tho way of preparations for a to demonstrate that tho Yankeo sea American underseas warfare as wo this class completed nnd they were their displacement was Increased ur.u Mullen,' - 'Marouf,' 'La Belno Flamette,' friend, that I participated in its pre- where children are tho characters, and manship of tho days ot tho clippers know now the history of our opera- especially designed for surface speed." tho type of 1914 had reached a sur- Chemlneau,' Gota,' besides many 1919 campaign of "frlghtful- - 'La miere at Nice.' to preserve It In tho muslo was my had not yet vanished from the blood. tions on tho sea surface, on land and Tho UC and UB classes, while in- raco tonnago suascqueni revivals, Including d'Hoffmann' J oi tw. 'Contes " 'I have not forgotten,' said I. 'But hardest task. noss" against tho United States, Just Not so, says Commander Land. If in tho air. tended for different work, wero sim- this were generallJ and Le Rol d'Ys. Theso pieces were dato tho this opera for which I bespeak your how many submarines she had avail- his conclusions aro correct, and they The commander presented for tho ilar in their general characteristics. similar In design except th,.t ntf engrossing and to study broad.-ene- 4 VUlt ot Tyltyl. them cars is vralment nouvelle. is aro based on the most authoritative first time an accurate summary of tho Tho UB class was slightly larger, hav- t at S. my knowledge gave It able and tho details of their construc- size was slightly increased so and mo to "L'Olseau Bleu." ' "Take; for a little Instanco tho visit Information available, tho craft which number of enemy submarines avail- ing a surfaco displacement of nbout M appreciate better than I had when tion wero fully considered in a paper vessels launched during the las' "Justly ho was surprised, and an ap- of Tyltyl to tho 'sicknesses' under tho In proportion to tho numbers em- able for tho piratical warfare whicl G20 tons, as against COO tons for tho months of the war had a displacement first speaking to M. Maeterlinck the guidance presented at tho recent meeting of dis- pointment was made forthwith for a of Night. Those sicknesses ployed was most successful In the Oerman Admiralty Staff decided UC class, and they avcrnged a knot of about S30 tons. magnitude of tho task I ha assumed 'have becomo bored,' as Maeterlinck tho Society of Naval Architects and posing enemy was upon of private repetition. of submarines tho as the only means overcoming faster on the surfaco and half a knot Tho boats which beeamo standard .i to put music to his fairy play. says, began to tnko Marino Engineers by Commander E. very In Approved 'when mankind type which would rank last the allied superiority in surface craft faster submerged. Vessols of both during tho later phaso of tho conflict "From some of them which were but Maeterlinck Mmlc. S. Land, Construction Corps, United aver-ag- them seriously.' Read a lino of tho the popular conception. To tho o a superiority which rosulted In odds classes wero usually armed with 10,5 nf the work quasl-success- I could learn a great "M. Maeterlinck given States Navy. and which carried on most has his frank dialogue which starts like this as layman a battle of submarlno of about 200 to 1 against every enemy centimeter guns, though some of the s'J Char-pentle- r's during tho period of unrestricted deal. I admired, for Instance, and kindly approval of my music: If Tyltyl comes out of the cavern: Commander Land, who as a member against submarine seems to fall Into ship ship. submarine, counting for UC class mounted the slightly Rinaller 2Jj feet 10B'" Mullen,' It did one-ha- lf marine warfare, wero and that not tho great public find it but as Tyltyl They look very ill, thoso of tho Naval Allied Armlstlco Commis- tho same category as a boxing match ISC Started Thirty. 8.8 rllles. They wero about feet with a beam of twenty feet fix rh achieve great things at "onco disap- much to their liking as didthe author sicknesses of yours. They did not sion which proceeded to Germany De- between blind men neither capabla With long. was nnd a of twelve and c hw pointed me, but there a reason I shall feel overjoyed. I look forward even lift their heads. Look! Thero'u cember, 1918, and later as a member of of Inflicting damago on tho other, ex- At tho outbreak of tho war the draft Both types, as might bo expected feet. They a on - 'rfa' for this to be found in the abnormal to tho premiere with more trepidation a llttlo ono escaping. Which one is tho American Submarine Inspection cept by accident. German navy possessed about thirty had sped tv from their comparatively modest di- and n'leii length of tho opera. Teoplo were than expected to feel, and there aro it? Board which examined tho enemy sub- Is un- UHtcMccfcocii. During tho fifty-tw- o of about thirteen knots I But this Commander Land's mensions, wero designed for coastal wearied before the last act, and yet a reasons for this. But on that night I Night It's nothing, ono of marines surrendered at Harwich, had qualified tho case: "Any months of hostilities they produced of about eight Knot the statement of use only the UC class as mlno lay- w true critic will find by taking that act shall havo the enormous support to bo smallest; it's Is unrivalled opportunities for getting ac- one who will analyze In detail tho or had under construction when the Most of the "Mlttel It ers and tho UB class for general work. t separately how beautiful, picturesque derived from tho presence of M. Mae- ono of thoso which Is least persecuted curate Information regat ling tho sub- number of submarines lost In the war armlstlco was signed no less than 650 fitted with four bow torpedo H The latter carried four torpedo tubes cH. and theatrically real is that act. terlinck. He Is on tho ocean now and and which enjoys tho best health. marine phase of the war and as might will find duo consideration being more, making a total ot approximately two stern tubes carried my that, In tho bow and one In tho stern, while "In the meantime some of earlier will bo present a,t the premiere, to take (Calls to Como be expected ho upsets many popular given to rolativo number of ves- 6S0. Of these 203 wero lost through or two 4.1 inr i ifim. Ti.. the tho former carried eighteen mines In !S' work had been born. 'Lo Marchand place at the Metropolitan Opora Houso here, dear. It's too soon yet; you Ideas which became current during sels engaged In war- allied operations, accidents and tho boat was considered the ni"t i Masque' had been played Nice. Tills period operations tho forward part of tho vessel and a subn-arlne- tad at on tho 27th." must wait for the winter. d, tho when the of fare, tho allied submarines accounted hazards of the sea. ful of tho German opera torpedo tubo aft ns well as two other i8 an in two acts. Another One question 'was hero addressod to sneezing, coughing and both enemy and allied submarines for moro enemy submarines thnn any Tho German submarines are, classi- many of the German service operatic piece performed tubes fixed externally In tho super- "'tUV had been in M. Wolff which ho could not answer. blowing Us nose, returns to the cavern were shrouded In deepest mystery. No typo of vessel. After we en- fied by Commander Land as follows: that if they had adhered tn tnls other structure of the conning tower. At Paris and the reception of these two It was. "Is the child wife of M. and Tyltyl shuts the door.' rellablo Information being at hand, tered the war some of our submarines "All modern German submarines are of vessel they would have wri prose- the dato of tho armistice about 100 of 'tii strengthened me somewhat to Maetcrfinck coming with him?" This "An oplsodo like this, of gcntlo popular imagination clothed the sub- were off tho south coast ot of tho double hulled typo. Tho war successful In their submarlr.u warfrr my located the UC class and 140 of the UB class cute purpose to write 'L'Olseau "child wife" Is Hence Dalion, whom comic effect, may not fully strike tho marine and tho forces operating Ireland and some off tho Azores. From produced threo standard types, which By November, 1018. the enemy show had been completed, and thcro were I Bleu. To that I still hesitated, Maeterlinck's first wife, from whom auditor of tho spoken play, but as- against it with all sorts ot highly moment tho loss to shipping In are known ns tho UC type, the UB a completed 110 of these ve."'v and however, I may Interpolate that large numbor of others In courso ot that I ho is divorced, selected to play suredly such delicacies are or fanciful circumstances, most of which localities very etppreciaoiy de- typo and tho at or large number of were lr t wrote the lost these "Mlttel construction. others tho music for M. Maeterlinck's role of Tyltyl In tho production of the would bo If essayed on the operatic wero very far from reality. addition to tho 'Soeur Beatrice,' creased." In standard of construction. whllo I still was play. She Is about 20 years old now stage. Therefore tho real changes One of tho most widespread of these moro several Ameri- types were two special types, The proper, or "Mlttel types were cs5" pondering tho opera. Tho fact that there as Tho UE and UA fairy Tho 'Soeur and was but 11 or 12 then. At havo been In slight but careful elimi- conclusions regarding tho submarine were to European follows: UE typo, laying wero In use In tho largest num- Vlni; oce Beatrice' not yet first can submarines sent mlno cruisers tlally similar, the former has been performed, the author was not satisfied nation. Othcrwlso tho dialogue campaign was the almost universal generally to type, largo ber and wero highest In the favor of HU" but Its premiere with will waters has been known and UA cruiser class. The trnine mlnn Livers nnd t'lr , in Paris is set down Georgette Leblanc's cholco appear as totally belief tho most useful typo of German naval officers. design i:-- an early for the unchanged. that those who follow naval matters with largo cruiser class consists of two de- Their cruisers. They wore of 'i for date. part, he con- "Wo sing opera weapon wan "This but afterward beenmo the In French, its was a swift Iilterest. The details of the operations signs, the ordinary design being a vea- - a gradual development from a tons Burface dlspla -- ft brings us to the summer of 'W -- t vinced that she gave n true reading of natal language. Exquisite scenes surface vessel, possessing high speed In which they wore engaged novcr' sel of about 2,000 tons dlsplace-hav- e type constructed In 1005. .The earlier iong, 1914. For three years I may safely surface wl!h a biam c ' the character. His havo been - say marriage with her prepared for It by Boris and the ability to manoeuvre with the been revealed, and It Is to be ment. while there- were a few of the models woro. small craft of not much I f I had been singing strains of Is four fet drT ft of recent occurrence. Anlsfeld, who has also made sketches greatest ease, such as tho destroyer hoped that at somo not dhtant date special cruiser design ot about 1,200 over 200 tons surfaco displacement, 'L'Olseau Bleu' in my head and this "And now for for a chat about tho tho costumes and charming dances or tho smaller "submarine chasers" Commander Land or somo one equally tons surface displacement. There but as tho modification of tho design Coif'n e n ' '"