The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
THE THEATERS.
7 he Abbott Company Opens to
a Large Audience.
" Faust" at the 0rpheum-A Crush to See
Straight Tip" at the Califor-
nia-An Incident.

Miss Emma Abbott has fulfilled to the
uttermost, as the large and brilliantly FASH
ionable audience assembled at the Baldwin
last evening must be willing to confess, the
promises made the public before the advent
OF her company. In stage-mounting, cos
tunes and scenery we have never had such
complete presentation of English opera,
and it looks as if the time was very near at
hand, if not already here, when. in these
respects, the works of the best masters,
sung in the vernacular, will take the place
of the Italian article. The important desid-
eratum of complete musical schooling and
vocal efficiency is still an open-a wide
open-question for debate.
MISS ABBOTT AS ELvIRA
The initial opera selected for opening the
season was Vctdi's "Ernani," which has
been sung in this city many time and
oft. Miss Abbott assumed the role of the
heroine. Since the singer was with us last
she has taken on more generous amplitude
of physique, and the rich, expensive and
most artistically constructed dresses, to OBJ
tain which she has taxed the skill and fancy
OF the best modistes in Europe, were there
fore displayed to the best advantage. In
point of lyric ability we find the prima
donna has retained all the original volume
and quality of her voice. with much more
finesse in managing it. THIS was evident in
her treatment of the favoli;e "ErIani,
Involami," and the other numbers that oc-
cur in the role. Her stage action is 1.-the
and graceful, and. taken altogether, the rem
dering of the part was fair one.
THE TENOR, MICHELENA,
Who is a native of the same city in Vene-
zuela, Caracas, that claims the famous
pianiste, Carreno. has been heard here be-
fore. He has a tenor di grazia organ,
smooth and flowing but without much
force. His schooling, however, enables him
TO make the best use of all the power at
command, and he did justice TO the title
role. With little more vocal strength on
his part. the concerted numbers, compact
as they were and neatly sung, would have
had an added effectiveness.
IN MIR. WILLIAM PRUETTE,
The barry tone, Miss Abbott has the most
valuable member of her company. He de-
meaned himself grandy as Carlos; his
bearing was klngly. indeed. He gave Us,
too, fine example of honest yocalism-no
feintS, no evasicns, but with full tone and
correct expression. In the great Carlo the
Filth" quartet and chorus, relied on for the
principal effect In the opera, his clear and
sonant voice was the heart and core of the
whole affair, and if the tenor and soprano
had "assisted" Carlo and Don Silva, the
bass (Mr William Broderck), the noble
number would have been doubly instead of
singly encored. Mr.. Brodelick, it must be
added. made very effective rendering of
the part of Don Silva.
THE CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA
Were all that could be desired, and the
former came TO their work with careful
ness and vigor that betrayed thorough drill
Ing in the first place and in the second with
spirit occasionally that would lead one to
believe they were in love with it.
This evening his Hawaiian Majesty, Kala-
kaua l, and suite will attend the perform
ance OF The Bohemian" and will occupy
Boxes and 4. In compliment to his Maj
esty the Hawaiian national anthem will be
PLAYED.