The San Francisco call., 1901-11-14


n ing of Madame Sembrich in the
/ IN Verdi creation La Traviata,
! Il M last evening it is no exaggeration
to say that the artistic work of
the diva stamps her as the great
est singer in the world.
Not since the days when Adelina Patti
filed the Grand Opera-house to it's capa-
city has any such vocalization been
heard in San Francisco as was listened
/ to last night by those who attended the
third night of the Grau season.
San Francisco must indeed. be behind
the times when it rewards an artist of
| Madame Sembrichs standing with "a
house little more than half filled. Just
why the elite of this city should signal
out few evenings of the season and al
/ low the other performances to be ''off
nights" is incomprehensible. If the grand
| opera performances are to be judged, en-
/ tirely on their merits, then the vast audi
| ence that gathered on the first night of
| the season to hear "Lohengrin" should
have been duplicated last night.
If San francisco really wants grand
opera as presented in the capitals of the
world, it must do better than it has done
in the past two nights in the matter of
attendance.
Many Empty Seats Seen.
"Lohengrin" on Monday night was
/ >
was essentially great. Those who attend
ed the performance of La Traviata" did
so because they are lovers of music. They
came early and did not disturb their
neighbors by proceeding to their seats
While the opera was in progress.
There was little of the hrst night gilt
ter in the Grand Opera-house wnen
! Madame Sembrich stepped on the stage
IN the role of the luckless Nioletta. There
We're many handsome gowns in the audi
ence, but the red plush of empty seats in
boxes, orchestra and dress circle must be
/ considered a reproach to those who
should have occupied the seats.
Even the curious of the masses who
gathered in front of the opera-house on
were not as numerous last night, and the
! police had but little trouble in keeping
a clear passage for carriages.
The representatives of society who were
at the opera last night came to listen and
enjoy the performance. Not a note of
NerdiS charming creation was missed.
ing the acts, and the desire to see who
was present was reserved for the inter
missions. Madame Sembrich held her
audience as if spellbound and society
small talk was second consideration.
Sembrich Wins Triumph.
The scene of enthusiasm that greeted
the diva at the end of the first. act was
remarkable for its intensity Men and
women rose from their seats and shouted
applause at the smiling and bowling sing
/
raised, but the plaudits increased in vol
ume. The duet "Follie, sempre libera
degg'io,'' had touched all hearts, and
every nerve in the audience was strained
to its limit.
/ For the fifth time Sembrich was called
to the stage, but the applause would not
cease Good-naturedly, the diva broke all
traditions of grand opera and once again
the audience listened to the angelic voice
of the. singer. Sembrich, who last season
was obliged to terminate her engagement
in this city owing to illness, is not likely
to forget her reception of last night, nor
will there be any empty seats when she
sings on Saturday afternoon in Faust
The balance of the cast of ''Traviata"
presented no new faces last night Sa-
lignac has been heard here before with
Melba, and he is one of the dramatic ten
ors whom Grau prizes. He shared honors
with Sembrich and was accorded consid-
cradle applause. Campanari was in fine
voice, and the work of the chorus and or