The San Francisco call., 1896-07-02

The Brazilian papers contain news OF the
death Of Carlos Comes. the only composer from
the New World whose operas have ever held
their own on the Italian stage. fsIl Guarany,"
his greatest work, is highly popular in Italy
! and though the opera is unknown here its
grand aria, "Cf era una volta un principe" " is
frequently sung by aspiring sopranos. A
Brazilian by birth and origin, Comes was born
In Campinos in 1889. After studying in his
native land, the Emperor sent him to finish
his musical education in Italy. He went to
Milan and worked assiduously with Lauro
Rossi, who was then director OF the Conserya-
tory. Comes made his debut as q composer in
little scene written on a Hbretto in the
Milanese dialect "Se sa minga' lone does not
know little song in this work about gun
ut was early in 1867, after the campaign of Sa-
dows) was soon in every ones mouth and the
name OF Comes at once became popular.
In 1870 Comes gave his first great work,
'll Guarany,' at the Scala, and the opera has
held its own ever since. His second opera,
"Fosea," produced in 1878 at the Scala, made
colossal fasco, although Nine. Krauss, Maui
rel and Maini took the principal roles. He
won success again with "Salyator Ross" in
1874 and with "Mary TUDOR" played at the
Scala in 1879. Although he possessed sterling
talent as composer Comes has been re-
preached with initiating Verdi, Meyerbeer and
Gounod. The Brazilians were profoundly
proud of their eompatriot, who had been the
only composer from this side TO win fame in
the leading European lyric theaters.
On the request of the Emperor he made q
patriotic hymn, All Salute del Brazil" (BraziPs
Greeting) tor the centenary fetes in Philadel-
phia in 1876, and the work was performed in
that town with considerable success. Last year
Comes refused 10 become director of the Musi-
cal Conservatory of Pessro, position which
-s-1a -. "a
cepted the position of director OF the con-
servatory of Para, which was offered him at
the same time He was already failing in
health, however, and when he set out from
Italy TO Brazil was obliged to delay his jour
ney at Lisbon. At last he embarked, in spite
of the doctors advice, but hardly had he ar
rived at Para than his malady, which had
made rapid strides during the voyage, carried
him of in a few days.
The town OF Arrss. in France, has decided to
erect monument to one of its most famous
citizens. whose memory is becoming obscured
in the mists OF time. In his day he was 8
famous troubadour, poet and musician, and is
still considered as one of the fathers
OF the French theater and as the in
ventor of opera-comique. This is Adam de Ia
Halle, known to history as 1.-The Hunehback OF
Arras," although he was q well-formed man.
Adam was the author OF great number of
songs, rounds, motets and pastorals which
were full OF grace, and Tor which he wrote the
verses as wel as the music. One OF his little
scenic poems, lie Jeu d'Adam" THE Play of
Adam), is considered TO be the Oldest French
comedy IN existence, while another, 'sThe Play
OF Robin and of Marion" is the primitive and
rudimentsry type of modern opera-eomique,
although it takes us back a distance of 600
years, TO the end OF the thirteenth century
since Adam de Ia Halle died in 12S5, at
Naples, whittier he had followed the fortunes
OF Charles of jou. A committee has been
formed in Paris for the purpose OF raising
funds for the monument, and on the 21st of
June grand performance was given in the
theater OF Arras al which the existing works
OF Adam were performed by artistes from the
Opera Comique, the Comedie Frsncaise etc.,
and by this means large sum was raised to-
ward the monument fund
Spiro samsra, the young Greek composer.
whose two operss, "MArtire" aud Flora Mira
bills" have obtained considerable success in
Italy, is about TO put into execution q cher