The San Francisco call., 1899-08-01

4 OTWITHSTAND1NG the fact thal
nj San Francisco has been surfeited
W with grand opera this year, the
= Tivoli opera-house was almost ;.to too
audience that awaited anxiously the
rise of the curtain in order to reVel once
more in the imperial melodies OF master.
Assuredly the management could not
have made wiser choice for the lnaug-
uration of it's operate season than Nerdl
Aida; not merely because this sranu
musical structure enables an introduction
of every strong artist, but because its
grandeur and grandiloquent airs invest
1t with a solemnity especially In accord
with the festive sentiment that accolhpd-
niles an opening performance.
1t did not require long to discover the
character of the impression made upon
the audience by this initiatory perform
ance Hardly had Avadano concluded MS
grand aria in the first act when the mouse
began to tremble beneath the applause
that issued forth from the enthusiastic
assemblage Time and again the artist
bowed, deeply moved by this immense
ovation; but the applause would not SUD
side until the tenor consented to repeat
the last few lines. This applause was
honestly merited. A tenor of such crys-
talline clarity and mellow tone quahty,
tinged with splendid dramatic tfmbre, Is
certainly very rare, and by approaching
such a voice the people merely proved
their fine powers of discrimination. AZ Ia
dano simply plays with the most olIn-
cult technical parts, and his high notes
are as delicious as a kiss. l.,
Salassa, in the role of Amonasro, ou-
plicated his former success. 10 possess
a barytone of such fiexibility ana power
is to be endowed with one of the rlchest
gifts that nature can pestoW, put ~ ~ Os s
So Intelligent as to make proper use OF
such a marvellous organ IS the acme OF
sublime art, and applause IS put d mesa ,ha
tribute to such talent. In the duel II tne
Nile scene especially, Mr.. Salassa did not
hesitate to drain the last drop in the gob-
let of music. Imperious and imposing IIi Tne
solemn tones dropped from MS llPsi, nus nus
nhrasing was exquisite; his modulat1on
was sublime Would that there were
many more artists like. Salassa.
May Iinck no doubt is always heard at
her best as Amneris. Her big contraIto
has full sway in this role ana her ara
matte temperament mas me Ttiat CtiaroG RT{ ~
the interest of the audience was centereu
in Miss Ella Prossnitz, the prima donna
who has Just arrived tf3 hi9a MISS miss apr Pross
nifz Possesses a dramatic soprano OF
mellow quality. Her upper notes were
elegant and were brought OUT e eleaF +ornd anu
with some difficulty, no DOUBT owing 10
severe cold contracted after a days stay
in San Francisco. Her histrionlc accom- N2in,
nIishments are great. The Aida OF MISS
Prossnftz must be pronounced asfdeal and,
as far as one can see from last night, the
lady controls a soprano that VIII prove d
marvel ere the season Is passed. ,ao
Chorus and orchestra did some praise
u,ortbv work and Mr.. Hirschfeld deserves
much mn h credit for infusing life and snap In
both. No fault can be found oor WITH . ms M
direction; 1t was exemplary. george @ L@ask,
tho stage manager deserves also a share
when praise is distributed. The mounting
was elegant. ~, 1890
gfven after the fourth act, which shows
The success of the season: This evening
LUCIA will be given with Anna LIGhter
"a Lucia. Barron Berthold as Lord Edgar,
and William Mertens as Henry Ashton
~ W" FRED METZGER.