The San Francisco call., 1897-09-02

MISS MINNIE TRACY, the Leading
of Italy. The large preponderance OF Ameri-
can prima donnas at Coveut Garden during
the season just closed shows how much Euro
pesn audiences value American singers, but
for debutante to occupy the position Miss
Minnie Tracy is 10 hold may be considered
phenomenal.
The poor lyric and dramatic artists of Greece
have every prospect of starvation staring them
In the face. Badly enough off in times of
peace they have been reduced since the war
to a condition of absolute misery. When hos
tilities opened the Government. ordered all
theaters to be closed. Reduced to the last ex-
tremity the artists recently demanded the au-
thorzation Of the state to continue their per-
formances. promising only to present tragic
dramas and operas, and to forswear oparettas
and farces entirely as unbecoming the period
of national calamity. Ralli, the President of
the Council, has answered that though the
deepest sympathy is felt for the artists sad
plight by the Government their demand can
not be acceded to, because the unfortunate
soldiers who suffered many privations on
the batle-felds OF Epirus and Thermopyle
might be indignant and even revolt at seeing
a revival of theatrical performances, which
although tragic in their nature are none the
less a form o. amusement" So the poor Greek
singers, actors and musicians must wait until
peace is concluded before they can earn their
daily bread And in the meantime they are
starving.
The tenor Cardinale, who some years ago
won the heart OF fair San Francisco prIma
donna in herbd has lust been following the ex-
ample of prima donuas by letting himself he
robbed of diamonds. 1t seems that Cardinale
has really sustained loss of over $2O, 900
lst-~
the Spanish police shows that he must have a
perfect passion for decking himself out with
gems. lie is singing in Barcelona and the
authorities have not yet succeeded in locating
the servant vino robbed him. Among the ar
ticles stolen are necklace OF pearls, pair of
diamond earrings, sword with hilt set
with diamonds, four bracelets set with dIa-
monds three diamond rings, four gold chains,
Two watches aud a number OF other articles,
which show that the tenor travelled about
with a good-sized iewelry-store in his trunks.
Csrdlnale's impresario has had to make good
part of the loss in order to persuade him to
be re-engaged for next season.
Mascagni spent great part of last winter
triumphantly directing his own works in Ger
many and Austria, and people asked, "What
is becoming OF the Musical Lyceum at Pesaro,
of which he is directory" The question is now
answered by wailing and lamentatiou that
come from Pesaro. Asso the summer
neat closed the theaters the energetic Mas
cagni hied himself to Pesaro, and, in the
words o. a man who writes TO the Italian pa
pers, submitted the poor pupils to the torture
of singing and playing through the heat of
summer" While all the other conservatories
throughout Italy had closed their doors for
the summer vacation the Lyceum at Pssaro
resounded with the strains OF ind ustrious
practicing, and now that the vacation has al
| last come the pupils are in state bordering
| on collapse. The closing examinations have
| disclosed the fact that Mascagni has done good
| work with his pupils. A part OF an opera
written by one student was performed and
| created quite sensation. .chis youth, who is
named Belncci, is Mascagni's favorite disciple.
snd is said to be student Of phenomenal
promise.
The Berlin police have commanded Rossi,
| the celebrated ballet composer, to make great
cuts in his new ballet, ''The Dream of Love-"
which Is being performed at the Friedrich
Wilhelm Theater. The German authorities
are astonished that composer has dared at
Berlin to symbolic the alliance of the Three
Latin Sisters" while Germany, Austria and
Russia are also made to EN- brace in the dance
Rossi brought into his ballet music the "Mar-
sellaise" and the "Garibaldi Hymn" which
are generally allowed to be played every
WOere, put tne Berlin auLQOrltleS nave COLI
manded him to suppress them both from his
score. Such Is art, under the Emperor Will
liaml
Newspapers in Italy persist in stating that,
in his old age. Giuseppe Verdi has foresworn
opera and is turning all his attention to the
composition of sacred music II Resto del Car
limo, Bologna paper, says: "a few days ago
the glorious master was at Montecatini, look
ing strong, happy and lively. The few fortu-
| nate ir ends who can claim intimacy with
| him, state that he has already finished Te
Deum,' and is now working on mass for his
| own funeral" Another newspaper, comment
ing on this news says: 'As for the mass. o
! master, we want to hear 1t this century, and
| not wait till you die
The Bohemian composer, Anton Dvorak,
| continues to exploit plantation melodies as
| the basis for his con positions His symphony,
| From the New World" brought him so much
| fame that he is now engaged in writing an
| opera which is to be reminiscent OF negro
| minstrelsy. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stoves
novel, "Uncle Toms Cabin" has been chosen
| as the subject of the libre ito, and before long
| we shall see the victorious Uncle Tom winning
the plaudits of the Munich Opefa-house or
| the Imperial Opera OF Vienna.
! II Trovatore, an Italian musical Journal
tells its readers as the latest opera tic novelty
| from Chicago that an enterprising lmpres ario
| has had a machine constructed at great
| trouble and expense for the manufacture Of