The San Francisco call., 1897-03-21
FRENCH ARTISTS
SING nLA JU|VE !"
A Large Matinee Audience
Welcomes Halevy's
Opera.
At Night a Bright Operetta, "Ls
Voyage de Suzette.' Makes
a Hit.
Fanny Davenport Gives Silver Sou
venirs as Tok n Of Farewell
to Sardou.

wide operate field was covered by the
French company at the California Theater
Yesterday. In the afternoon the perform
ance was Halevy's "La Juive" (The
Jewess), grand opera of the Meyerbeer
type. and in the evening the subscribers
were given complete diversity in 1.-THE
Voyage of Suzette,' tuneful operetta
with plenty of movement and clever,
sparkling dialogue.
la Juive" has been q standard opera
for over generation, and the reception
accorded it yesterday shows that it has
not vet become q back number. The
music is dramatic rather than melodious,
and is written round libretto that
abounds in startling and grewsome situa-
tions. almost as much as the libretto OF
I'll Trovatore."
There are good many points of resem-
blance between the stories OF the two
works, only in LA Juive" the child stolen
for revenge is daughter ana her end Is a
caldron of boiling water, instead of the
fiames which were the fate OF Manrico OF
'.Il Trovatore" fame.
Provost. the tenor Of the robust high
notes, developed unexpected dramatic
ability in the role of Eleazar. His declam-
the heavy music OF the Jews lines and
when he thundered forth his high notes
la Tamagno the house encouraged him
with bravos.
1t is almost useless to single out any
particular passages for mention, as Provost
maintained an even standard OF excel
lence, but he was especially dramatic in
the second act where Eleazar learns that
the lover OF his supposed daughter is a
Christian, and in the fourth act in his
scene with the Cardinal. His aria, "Je
suis jeune, ct je items a la vle," was sung
with splendid dramatic force.
Nine Faedor sang the title role in ex-
cellenr style, though here and there the
heavy orchestral scoring was rather over
powering for her voice. She never strained
her tones, however, and some of her arias
were brilliantly sung, especially "II va
venir," Mime. Berthet sang sweetiy and
fuently as Eudoxie.
Athes, who sang the important role OF
Cardinal Brognie. seemed to be suffering
from a cold. Even with this draw back
taken into account, however, his voice has
not the volume and majesty, especially in
the low register, to fit him for the role.
and he delivered the malediction effect
lively, but vocalIy speaking ne was not an
ideal Cardinal Brognie.
The only commendation that can be
given TO Dec, the LIE pold of the caste, is
that he enunciated distinctly and kept
the pitch. Freiche was a good Rud giero,
and the minor roles were well sustained.
Some of the choruses were good, others
showed signs o. insufficient rehearsal. The
orchestra did excellent work, and the bal
let's were, as usual. very effective.
lie Voyage de Suzette," which was
presented at night. is a sparkling oper-
eta set to music by Leon Varseur. It is
full OF movement, and has the spice of
VARIETY given by constant change of scene,
for the heroine travels from Barcelona to
Persia, and meets with numerous adven-
lures en- route.
The dialogue is bright and crisp and
some OF the suggestions are very whimsi-
cal, as, for instance, the irritable Pacha
who is constantly ANNOYED by q Greek
brigand. When the Pasha gives fete
the brigand gives . rival fete. Tor which he
steals the singer the Pasha has engaged