The San Francisco call., 1899-03-17
OFF NIGHT BUT
SPLENDID "A|DA"
PRESENTATION
Two Valuable Stars
Make Their Debut.
GADsKl AND ANTONIO CEPPI
A LIGHT ATTENDANCE BUT
HEAVY APPLAUSE.
One of the Best All Round Perform
ances of Verdi's Work Ever
Given in San
Francisco.
Ey Ashton Stevens,

For some silly reason or another
every other night seems to be an of
night at the opera. Not as regards the
performance, but the attendance. Two
stars, Gadski and Ceppi, made their
debut last night in Aida; each scored
success; the entire production was
sumptuous, delightful; but the immense
crowd that listened to 'BCheme" the
night before and to Faust" at the
opening was only partially present Ex-
cept for the "palco'' boxes, which are
all sold for the season, the dress circle
was practically empty, and there was
vacant upholstery to burn downstairs
The carriage system was in perfect
working order, because there were not
enough carriages to cause half block-
ade. It was, as they call one of these
off occasions in New York, poor rela-
tions' night"
This sort of thing is very discredit-
able to the town. What if we do average
up handsomely on the whole season
how are we going to reconcile our long
vaunted love of opera to the fact that we
turn out in thousands only when Melba
is in the cast Melba is a great artist,
the greatest cOIoratura singer in the
world to-day, and a surprising Mimi
and ditto Marguerite. But Melba can
not do it all. There are dozens OF
operas whose soprano roles are not
adapted to her voice; and big, noble
operas at that. This notion of bunch
ing the attendance solely on Melba
nights is absurd. Already we have
heard three other prima donnas of the
Ellis company whose work in different
specialties was in each case excellent;
the general company is the same night
in and night out; the New York SYM
phony orchestra is the same. This
mode of opera going is very stupid,
very provincial. 1t retards civilization
Those who were in the Grand Opera
House last night witnessed a fine, COM
nlete performance of a beautiful and
difficult opera 1t is doubtful if we
ever have had a better all-round pro-
duction of Aida" In points of or
cbestra. ensemble and mise-en- scene
It was in every respect satisfying And
nrodigious personal hits were made by
Gadski and Ceppi.
Even without the knowledge of her
name and reputation you would at once
spot Gadski for a Wagner singer. Her
!
she uses it with the easy Wagnerian
sweep Her presence is intense; Res-
ture. fitting; and she can hold a pose
with dignity and effect Except Tor
coI1DIe of top notes that were slightly
''pinched," her Aida Of last night was
tonalIy perfect. 1t was splendid IN It's
dramatic conception, too, rich with pas
sion and poetry and barbaric splendor
Ceppi divulged a big bouncing tenor OF
almost Tamagnoesque dimensions. his
voice has the real robust quality right
ND to the toppest notes. 1t IS nothlng
like as wonderful as Tamagno's in the
unner register, but taken all together
il is of a more even development, and it
is as clear as a horn, and Ceppi manages
II artfullv and without struggle. He
gave a virile, soldieriy identity to the
mart of Radames, and besides singing
+he fiercer episodes with copious power
he invested the love scenes with a de-
gree of tenderness unusual in a voice
of this character. Gadsh and Cepp1
made Enthusiastically strong impress
sions, receiving numerous recalls and
many braVoS.
he Vries was still under the climate
and Rensuade was the AmonaSro. But
for the trusty Bensuade the barytone
end of the season would be in a sorry
plight. He has sung every night so
far and each time with success. His
Amonasro, while a bit feathery, was
still an earnest, consistent character
and another excellent tribute to the
singers versatility and endurance.
Olitzka had her first big chance of
the engagement as Amneris and made
the most of 1t, except for the old con-
tralto banality of slurring and moo
ing, some of the lower passages. Bou-
nirable High Priest and Steh-
man contributed telling King
of the Egyptians. The pomp
and pageant of the second act were
magnificently managed. and the great
choruses were given with smashing
vigor. The orchestra distinguished it
self as usual under Seppilli, who was
again led blushing to the stage by his
felIOW-artiStS