The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-13
fsnecia1 Corresnondence.l


San Francisco. Aug. 9.-One era. of a
remarkably active theatrical season
here will come TO a close next Saturday
night, when Henry Miller ends his en-
gagement at the Columbia theatre. and
the Frawley company. with Blanche
Bates. leaves the California. Miss
Bates is a great favorite here on the
coast, and her engagement has been
succession of personal triumphs. Dur
ing the last week of her stay. she viii
be seen in London Assurance" and
AS You Like It," and on Wednesday
afternoon, a big testimonial will be
given for her. The Miller engagement
has also been a great success, which
speaks well for the Improvement in
the tastes of audience, as well as an
increased willingness to pay higher
prices. San Francisco people grew SO
accustomed to the 50-cent scale for the
very best attractions, that they grew
to regard anything higher as an i'm
position. Now, however, there is
promise of a change for the better, by
which Salt Lake is sure to benefit
Cheap prices in San Francisco are what
have so seriously hurt western attrac-
tions. People generally get only just
what they pay for in this world. There
is no such thing as a bargain, excepting
where the word is a synonym for sub
stitute." The only exception to this
rule that l can think of at present Is
the opera at the Tivoli.
Here one truly receives remarkable
so cents worth. Last night 1 heard
most excellent performance of II
TrOVatore."
Miss LIGHTER was the Leonora, and
Miss Linck the AZucena. The tenor,
sSignor AVedano, and the baritone.
Signor Salassa, are both singers of
unusual worth. Signor Avedano has
an unpleasant way of forcing the ends
of his high notes, but this is perhaps
play TO certain popularity of the
San Francisco audience, of which
shall speak later. On the whole, the
principals did their work well, especi-
ally Miss Linck, who is a powerful
actress, and was. in makeup and
dramatic intensity, a superb gypsy.
She is by all odds the best actress in
the company. as Miss LIGHTER is one Of
the cold, stiff variety of singers. Next
TO Miss Linck in this respect, comes
Signor Salassa, who combines a beauti
full voice with passionate warmth of
utterance. Signor Avedano, on the
other hand, is the typical wooden tenor,
in action, but in voice he is one of the
faVorites of the company. y curious
effec, which borders dangerously near
the ridiculous, is gained in these pro-
auctions by mixing two languages.
Miss LIGHTER, Miss Linck and the sec
ond baritone sing in English, and the
remainder of the company in Italian.
Therefore. the soprano and tenor
answer each other in the love scenes
in two different languages. And even
this was not as ridiculous. as in the
case of the gypsy and her supposed son.
She called him my SON. and he
answered ''madre," giving one the i'm
preston that they did not understand
each other. 1t puts the principals out
of touch with each other. and it is d
pity that an otherwise excellent per-
Torrance should be so seriously marred.
Next week, the company will give
'Fidelio.' and The Huguenots." The
TiVolj is at present the rendezvous of
all music lovers. and the utmost en-
thusiasm prevails during the perform
ances. Approval is expressed by
shouts of Bravo" as well as applause,
and it is good to hear such demonstra-
ton after the habitual reserve Of our
audiences at home.
\ popularity of the San Francisco
audience is that it is fairly carried off
Its feet by high note. The higher the
note. the greater the enthusiasm. and
a very high note forced TO fortissimo
at the end, and held several minutes.
causes positive excitement. This abso-