The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-02

eHect, and it Is staged as probably no theater
In the world, except the Scala, could stage it.
Inc curtain rises on group of women drawing
water from fountain in the piazza. The azure
sea glitters in the background and to the leftis
MatlIca's cottage, the interior of which is
visible The women sing a. cheerful refrain,
but Matilda remains sad and inattentive,
thinking of her lover Silvano, q contrabandist
who has fed from justice In his absence
Maria has allowed herself to be claimed by
kenzo, and she is now regretting her incon-
stancy.
But 1t appears that an amnesty has permit
ted Silvano to return to the village and,
radiant with JOY, he enters the cottage and
h1ngs himself into Matthias arms. Their love
duet, which is full OF melody is superbly sung
by Signora Ethele and the tenor, De Lucia. On
the piazza the crowd is congratulating Reno,
who has launched new boat and in this
scene the composers art and the wonderful
scenic art are SO combined as to form q
mus1cally dramatic picture of marvellous eff
feet. Silvano appears among the crowd,
every one greeting him with pleasure except
Reno, who refuses to take his hand, and in
suits him by calling him bandit. The music
of this scene is peculiarly suited to MaseagnPs
genius, and he is at his best in Silvanos re-
spouse, ''Ah, no! hal detto bandito," which is
written in a declamatory style, with an or
chestral accompaniment expressive of agita-
ton and tumult. Silvanos mother arrives and
in response to Matilda's prayers peace is patched
up, and the scene closes cheerfully, while the
orchestra repeats the motive of the launching
chorus.
Silvano and his mother, Rosa, enter and sing
a duet, in which he tells of his love for Ma
tilda and persuades his mother to consent to
their marriage. A group of girls appear, carry
ing flowers for shrine, and singing plaintive
no more, az have let him go, and now his kisses
are for other lips" These words, overheard by
Silvano, recall to his mind that Renzo, who
showed such strange luminosity to him, has
not gone out with the other fishermen, but the
beauty of his surroundings makes him forget
all disturbing thought, and singing the ma
zurka refrain, "The earth and heaven, the
stars and flowers, invite to love-" he falls
asleep.
Matilda, left alone, retires to her cottage and
gives herself up to remorse. Reno enters, how
ever, and wants to renew their love-making,
but with all the force of her nature she scorns
him, crying that she loves only Siluano After
imploring in vain Reno resorts to threats,
saying he will kill his rival, and Matilda, TERRI
fed, promises to meet him "when all shall
have sailed away with the nets" This duet
closes the first act. The second set opens with
a chorus of fishermen behind the scenes, sup
poseo 10 De salI1ng out with their nets, ana the
curtain rises on a beautiful strip of wooded
beach, with boats in the distance. While the
chorus dies away the sun rises, with magnif-
cent scenic effects.
The last act of "silvano" is tragic. The hero
wakes, hearing the sounds of Matilda's and
Renzo's voices. The girl has kept her appoint
ment, but filed with repugnance, she refuses
to have anything to say to the lover who wishes
to force his kisses on her. Silvano sees all, and
exelaiming, "Ah per Pinferno," seizes his gun
and shoots Renzo who falls dead. The curtain
drops as Silvano rushes in horror from the
stage.