The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-06

, by these winged musicians" says the traveller,
els sweet, soft and melancholy, and when q
band OF them pass together 1t sounds like
concert of 9olian haIps. The Chinese seem
very fond of these aerial concerts; for at Peking
l saw on all sides bands of winged musicians,
each pigeon having its curious little instru-
ment attached to it,"
In ratifying the lease made with Maurice
Grau, the directors of the Metropolitan have
decided that there will be no grand opera in
italian next season, which means that there
will be no grand opera of any sort under
Grau's direction. The artists, like the De
| Reszkes, will remain abroad next season,
visiting New York the season after next Grau
will act as manager of the Metropolitan, and
will book certain entertainments. and pos
sibly short season of German opera. 1t Is
doubtful whether Mapleson will again try to
become an active factor in New York operate
affairs. A great many people who profess to
be well informed believe that Grau viii be
persuaded to give an opera season after all.
Sonzogno, the great Italian impresario and
pu blisher, has taken the Fenice Theater in
Venice, where, among other novelties, he will
produce Leoncavallo's new work, la Boheme."
When all the arrangements were com ted,
another impresario took the Rosstnt Theater
and announced his intention of giving Leon
cavailo's new opera, "La Boheme," which has
been running with such immense success at
La Scala. Experts say they see in this move
the fine Italian hand OF Ricordi, a rival pub
Usher of Sonzogno's.
The following programme will be performed
at the Biggerstaf testim onial concert in Gold
en- Gate Hall tonight: Sonata op. 81, No. 8. E
fat major (Beethoven) F. NJ. Biggerstaff; Rus
sian fantaisie (Popper), Arthur F. Weiss; "My
Dreams (Tosti), DR.. Gilbert F. Graham; nov
elette (schumann) and ballade Chopin, F. NJ.
Biggerstaff; Barcarolle, (Rubinstein), MEM
cries of an Artist" (Seeling) and "Luetzow's
Wild Jagd," (weber-Kullak), F. III. Bigger
STAFF; 20, Don Fatale' (VerdD, Mrs. Sedgley
Reynolds; "Berceuse'' (Weiss) and Spinning
Song" Popper), Arthur F. Weiss; waltz ca
price (Strauss-Iausig) +. M. Biggerstaff.
The Musical Courier speaks in the highest
terms of the California contralto, Mrs. Francis
Graham, who is studying in Paris. Her voice
has clear range Of three octaves, and she can
trill without effort on the high in spite Of
its pure ontralto quality. She has been with
the Carl Rosa Company, and made hit as
Hansel in "Hausel and Gretel."
The tenor, Van Dyck, has received from the
Emperor of Austria the cross OF knight of the
Order of Francis Joseph, which shows that in
Austria a man OF merit may aspire to high
distinctions, whatever may be the circle of his
activity. l n some countries it is sort of un-
written law that actors, singers and Journalists
shall never receive any but small and trivial
decorations.
Nine. Adelina Patti has ended successful
season Of opera at Monte Carlo and has re-.
turned to her castle of Craig-y Nos in South
Wales. She is reported to be very much out
of health, and so serious is her indisposition
that she has cancelled all her immediate en-
gagementa
What Is known as the normal pitch"
(diapason normaD is making such Roadway in
European countries that foreign musical Jour-
mails express the hope that it will soou be
known as the international pitch" Most
! singers would be glad to see the normal pitch
| accepted In America The difficulty is that
many bands would have to go to great expense
in buying number OF wind instruments.
| The City Fathers of Aix-la Chapelle have
prohibited the performance of Offenbach's
! "Orphie aux Enters" for moral reasons
| De Vries Of the Metropolitan Opera Com.
pany has queer way of expressing his liking
for this glorious country. He says; "My de-
| feet IL that am fond of America"