Albert Wolff Tells How the Strains to Him Amid the Roar of Battle
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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.