The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-01-12
THE INCOMPATIBLE CALVE
NEW HAYEN HEARS THE GREAT
SINGER and ACTRESS.

| Hyperion Last EVenlhS--A har-Slzeu
Audience Witnessed the opera-The
Event Marks an Epoch in the Musical
History of the City.
| New Haven was last night given an
opportunity to hear grand opera as it
did not appreciate it's opportunity. 1t
is not probable that it will have an
other equally good opportunity for
some time to come. For many reasons
this is truly lamentable. But we are
grateful for the attempt, because 1T
gave us a chance to hear one of the
greatest living singers in her most fa-
nous role. AS far as enthusiasm and
appreciation are concerned, the audi
ence was as cordial as could be wished.
There were many curtain recalls, and
the college men in the upper gallery
made the place ring with their cheer
ing. Madame Calve appeared highly
gratified with these demonstrations,
and returned their greetings with the
most charming and radiant of smiles,
She had not been on the stage five
minutes before she had the entire au-
dience in perfect sympathy with her,
so great is her personal magnetism
Without ever acting directly at the
house, she contrives to keep her audit
ors in perfect accord with every phase
of emotion. She dominates the stage
completely by her presence, and never
permits the interest to flag. Her by
play is masterly Her personal success
was undoubted, and If she were to re-
turn to this city, either in opera or in
any other capacity, she would receive
the heartiest sort of welcome.
The management carried out it's
promises in every particular. Miss
Sophia Traubmann sang "Michaela"
INSTEAD of Marie Engle, but the change
was announced several days ago, and
it was a change with which no fault
could be found The cast was identical
with that of the New York perform
lances, except in the small role of Dan
CAIRO sung usually by Customary,
and sung last evening by Viviani, a
competent substitute. Castlemary was
needed to sing the part of 'Fafner,'
the dragon in "Siegfried" at the Metro
politan. They were able to give us the
entire chorus and ballet last evening,
because "Siegfried," which was sung
in New York last night, requires neith-
er chorus nor ballet If the chorus was
not so large as that employed in the
regular representations, it was Suffi-
GENTLY large for the size of our theater
and ample for the chorps-work of an
opera like Carmen The ballet was
also adequate, and the regular premiere
danseuse Mile. Irmler, was present and
interpolated her usual toe-dancing in
the last act. Her costume was some
what on the Spanish order last even
ing, an Improvement on the airy pink
and white affair which she has been
seen in at the Metropolitan in this same
Iopera, presenting a most ineongruous
effect. Mile. Irmler is prepossessing in
appearance, and dances as well as the
usual run of European toe-dancers.
There is not so much of the poetry of
motion in all their contortions as there
is in Calves little finger
The orchestra was also adequate and
was conducted by the regular leader,
lSignor Bevignani This gentleman
conducted Madame Melba's concert in
this city two years ago At times the
orchestra seemed a trifle too predomi-
nant. Signor Bevignani should have
taken into consideration the size of the
house and kept his men down a little.
The settings were sufficient for the oc-
casion. We recognized the old familiar
"haunts and homes that figure IN all
current productions: but the regular
settings were mixed in with as much
of the Metropolitan accessories as was
necessary for the stage-business of the
piece. The greatest possible credit is
due the management for the conscien-
tious manner in which they lived up to
their promises.
AS for Madame Calves performance
what is there new to say? A person
seeing her for the first time last night
might justly say, 1T does not seem tc
be acting. 1t is simply Calve herself. y
But if this person were to see her in
her other roles he would learn that
the impersonation was in each case just
as lffe-like and spontaneous. She has
marvellous gift for characterization
and her versatility is absolutely mysti-
flying. She conceives Carmen as a SEN
suous pleasure-loving creature with the
hot blood of the tropics throbbing ir
her veins She is careless and indiffer-
ent, taking no thought for the morrow
and living only for the pleasure Of the
present moment. She cares almost
nothing for Don Jose. She cajoles him
into the belief that she loves him sc
as to escape going to prison. His de-
votion to her after the trouble she has
made for him surprises and amuses
her. She leads him on because there
is no one else about. She induces him
to join her gypsy-band. When Es
camille appears she sees a man after
her own heart and forgets Don Jose
His dog-like fidelity and later his jeal
ousy bore her and finally madden hel
into the unhappy catastrophe that ends
ALL Prosper Merrimee did not draw sc
strong or sympathetic a character as
Calve presents. Merrimee's work is
that of an exquisite aquarellist
Calves Carmen is in the brilliant
style of Fortuny. 1t is impossible tC
realize the finesse of her performance
at single hearing. Calve never for.
gets that Carmen was peasant. Hel
walk and manner despite their perfect
grace are always those of a low-breC
woman When she runs UP the step.
she goes heavily on the fiat part o.
her feet. She is always an animal anc
her fear in the last act is that of {