The San Francisco call., 1896-07-09
MIDWEEk THEATER NOTES
Crowds Go to See =" Romeo and
Juliet" at the Tivoli Opera
House.

There was no falling off in the attend
ance at the Tivoli last night; indeed the
crowd was so great at the box-office that
couple of special officers had to labor
diligently to keep impatient hungerers
and thirsters after opera from breaking
out of line.
The work given last night was Gounod's
"Romeo and Juliet" for the first time in
this City.
That significant fact shows what an
operate famine San Francisco has been
enduring, for in the East and in Europe
Romeo and Juliet" is one of the most
sung works of the French repertory. In
deed at present it almost exceeds Faust"
in popularity. To attempt a detailed criti-
cism of the work at this late day would be
absurd.
In the main the libretto follows the
story of Shakespeare's tragedy, dealing
chiefly with its love element. which it has
treated to a considerable extent in series
OF dramatic and exquisitely melodious
duets between Romeo and Juliet. The
duel scene has been made much of, and
from a dramatic standpoint forms mag
niticent foil to the linked sensations long
drawn out OF the love scenes.
Musically speaking Romeo and Juliet
is more modern in its treatment than
Faust" "MireIla," etc. On this account
the rich, almost sensuous melodies in
which it abounds do not strike the ear so
strongly on a first hearing. Those who
were familiar with the opera, however,
could revel last night in the tunes"
which after all are what appeal most to
the popular ear. To those who heard it
for the first time Romeo and Juliet no
doubt sounded declamatory. AS an
operate drama it is not so stirring and
dramatic as Faust" though the story is
tenderer and more exalted one.
The performance was less even than that
given to the Lucia" In certain scenes 1t
was brilliant, in others it left something to
be desired, but on the whole it was one on
which to congratulate the management.
Fernando Michaelena, as Romeo. more
than fulfilled the promise of real dramatic
genius, which he had given as Edgar of
Ravenswood.
All through the long, exacting role he
shone alike as actor and singer.
His round, well-schooled, vibrant voice
was fully equal to all vocal requirements
of his role. His acting would have been
applauded il he had only been acting and
not singing. His by-play, particularly in
ished, and in the love passages he was as
tender as he was virile where the role
called for sterner stuff.
Nina Bertini Humphreys was on the
whole satisfactory Juliet. She will be
remembered as one of the stars of the
Tavary troupe TWO years ago. 1t was no
doubt a little hard for her to come after
M me. Natal, who is such a much more
finished vocalist in every respect, but if
Miss Bertini Humphreys work seemed at
times schoolgirlish compared to that of
the more experienced prima donna who
preceded her on Monday and Tuesday,
she nevertheless made charming Juliet,
~ kk..L L..l-
scene In her chamber, she did some verv
pretty work. Her waltz song, which she
sang in French, did not produce the effect
that it generally creates.
John j. Rafael really surprised his
friends by the excellence of his Mercutio
He sang the Queen Nab" aria delight
fully and his duel scene was fine piece of
acting and singing. Martin Pache made
an excellent Tybalt. The pretty role of
the page was not made the most of by
Miss Russell, who has q fine voice, but
does not know how to use it. Mime. Casati
had so little opportunity of shining as the
nurse that 1t might be fairer TO defer iujg-
ing her singing.
AS friar, Lawrence Abramoff did excel
lent work.
Romeo and Juliet" contains splendid
choruses, and too much praise cannot be
given the chorus work in the street scene.
which includes the duel Much of the
otner cnorus work was good. but this par
ticnlar scene, both with regard to chorus
and soloists, was the gem of the per-
formance and well deserved the ovation
1t received.
Gustave Hinrichs conducted with his
usual skill. At first it seemed doubtful
whether the pnblic would really enter into
the spirit of the beautiful work, but the
enthusiasm began with the beautiful gar
den scene and it went on growing.
New and artistic scenery had hean
painted for the representation.