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Miss Geraldine Farrar's many operatic admirers never previously saw so much of has as they did yesterday afternoon at the season's first performance of Massenet's "Thais" in the Metropolitan Opera House. In fact, little of her charming self above the waist was concealed from the four thousand pairs of eyes. A few beads placed judiciously sparkled here and there, but otherwise a more airy attire hardly could be expected of a prima donna impersonating an Alexandrian beauty.

Many pages have been written about Miss Mary Garden's back and the part which it was played in "Thais" here and elsewhere, and doubtless much will be written about Miss Farrar in a similar vein. All who saw admired and applauded. She took her curtain calls unblushingly, without even throwing a shawl over her bare shoulders. With all of its daring scantiness, the costume - one hardly could call it a gown - was not out of place in "Thais."

Last season Miss Farrar gave a rather mild interpretation of the character. In her new costume yesterday she put new zest into her performance. She has sung better, but from a dramatic viewpoint she never played the role so well, And she held the eyes of the audience.

Aside from Miss Farrar's back and shoulders, the most noteworthy part of the performance was the first appearance here of Clarence Whitehill as Athanael. He sang with fine effect and gave the character a spiritual quality which it usually lacks. His enunciation also was admirable.

The remainder of the cast was not up to the standard of last season. Rafaelo Diaz, a new tenor, was heard as Nicias. He sang agreeably, but without sufficient volume of tone. After the nervousness of his d?but has passed he no doubt will sing better. Misses Sparkes, Egener and Howard completed the cast. Mr. Monteux directed the opera for the first time here.

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