The herald., 1898-04-26

warding the outburst of applause with
"Suwanee River" which reused the house
to a great display of enthusiasm. The
climax was reached when she crashed the
preliminary chords of 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner" which were at once recognized.
Melba, although in Spanish costume by
force of circumstance, is of the Anglo
Saxon race and sang every word of the
paean of liberty as from her very soul.
The audience contrived to maintain a pc
culiar control. contrast to the scene en-
acted in San Francisco last week, but per-
haps the women were afraid of splitting
their gloves and the men may have thought
too much exuberance bad form." New
ertheless 1t was a memorable event, and
Melba knew she had thrilled such of the
audience as were capable Of that emotion.
Second only to the great soprano was
Campanari, the barytone, who enacted the
title role. He is we'll named, for his voice
is as clear and resonant as bell, perfect
ly controlled and used to magnificent ef-
feet. His great buffo aria, Largo al Fac
totum," was the first landmark of the
evening. and was a masterpiece of ad-
mirable vOcalism. Campanari is un-
doubtedly the most superb barytone ever
heard in the west.
The last qualification may equally we'll
be applied among basses to Viviani. His
voice is Of magnificent proportions and his
deepest notes are as true as ear could wish
to listen to. viviani scored a deserved
success in the first act in La Calumnia -
Carbone makes a most amusing and very
clever study of the fidgety old doctor, Bar
tolo, and his antics were irresistibly fun
r A,nr Ioc
tenors than Salignac, though he sang the
part of the count in very fair fashion, but
acted in an unconvincing manner.
Nine. Van Cauteren made an entirely
satisfactory Bertha, and Mr.. Van Hoose
undertook the minor parts with success.
The orchestra will be heard to even bet
ter advantage in LA Traviata," which Is
to be produced tomorrow night. Signor
Bimboni is a wonderfully skilled conduc-
tor and leads his splendid forces with mag
netic and inspiring force.
A memorable evening concluded with the
mad scene" from Lucia in which
Melba displayed the marvellous beauty of
her voice with the superbest effect. Such
voice and such singing are indeed the
rarest luxuries. The opportunity to hear
her cannot be neglected, and there should
not be vacant seat in the theater tomor-
row night.
~, Who Were There
Private equpages and public cabs lined
Spring street, from Second to Third, and
along the sides to the entrance Of the the
ater men and women stood many feet
deep. Some were there out of idle curiosity,
while others were using the spot as a
trysting place for engagements already
made. &
They came early and they came late
The. majority had taken the precaution
to purchase tickets in advance, and they
passed gently in, while others, who were
not so farseeing, and who bought their
tickets at the window at the last moment
had to be satisfied to take the leavings and
be jostled by others for their forgetful-
ness.
Some bought tickets who looked as if
they could Ill afford to pay such prices;
these were usually women, their attire out
of place with the surroundings. 1t had
taken them weeks to save these S. no
doubt, but they gave them up as II there
were more in the purse. Yet others, who
are said to be rich, handed their money
to the ticket seller apparently begrudg-