The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-30

known singer was giving a concert in town
in Cape Colony, where the only available hall
had been used to exhibit trained animals AS
the evening was very warm the doors and
windows were all left open. Clifford Halle had
finished the first part of the programme,
when in response to warm applause he sang
as en- encore the beautiful lied the last phrase
of which ends 'tBruder, sage ja'' Brother, say
yes). The singer was just emitting beautiful
high note on the final 'ja" when a burro
thrust his head through the half-open door
and in rich barytone voice began loud
tsYah, yah" This response to the singers
poetic appeal gave rise to tumultuous scene
of laughter and applause, led by the officers OF
the garrison. The commandment said to Mr.
Halle: "You will never create greater SEN
sation than to-day, but do not advise you to
take back your brother when you return to
London"
The audiences at the great Italian opera
houses have strong opinions of their own on
the subject Of music, and never hesitate to ex-
press Them. At San Carlo in Naples, the other
day, the first Neapolitan performance OF "The
Valkyrie'' was given, and the opera gave rise to
tumultuous scenes OF disapproval. The public
remained quiet enough till the second part of
the first act, when they began to make fun of
what was being sung. During the third act
the demonstrations of disapproval became
tumultuous. and people who wanted 20 listen
were unable to hear the music. At last thu
audience began to cry: "Hurrah for Verdfp,
"Down with Wagnerl'' and every one lett the
theater, most OF the people whistling and boot
ing. The impresario is afraid to put on 'eThe
Valkyrie" again, though he went to consider
able expense in staging the work.
Luigi Arditi's memoirs are almost ready for
publication, and will first be printed in Lon
don. The career of the composer of al Bacio"
has been long and active one, and should
contain some interesting incidents. In 1850
Ardlu directed the italian opera at Castle Gar
den, New York, and there he made the ac-
ouaintance of the Patti family. He afterward
became chef dorchestre at Covent Garden,
London, and In 1859 he conducted when Patti
made her London debut. Maurice Strakoseh
PATHS brother-in-law, and her impresario
then engaged Ardiu for his troupe and in
1867 he won great success at Vienna with his
waltz "Il Bacio," which Patti has sung ever
since in ''The Barber Of Seville" Arditi has
known almost ell the great artists for the last
fifty years, and has toured all the civilized
and haltcivilized countries in the world
From Madrid it is announced that in conse-
quence OF the disasters in Cuba the theaters in
the Spanish capital are practically deserted
The impresario of the Theater Royal has Just
failed and the Grand Opera has had to close
its doors. The Minister of Public Instruction,
in whose gift the management OF the latter
house lies, is said to be seeking in vain to find
an impresario willing to undertake the man.
agement of the Grand Opera.
Active preparations have begun ct Bayreuth
for this years performances. Frau Cosima
Wagner is having "Siegfried" rehearsed, under
the direction OF Siegfried, her son, 1t is ex-
rected that the attendance at Bayreuth will be
larger this year than ever.
name celebrated in music has just been
mixed up in serious dueling affair at Thion-
vile between two German officers which
proved fatal for one OF the combatants. The