The San Francisco call., 1901-11-18
"cR BoHEME" Is sung A6 PoPuGAR RITES RrD HuDIErCE
QS6EFS 90 SUPERB RENDITION OF Pu@@IFrS CREn6Iof
SOCIETY
Stays AWAY
FROM OPERA
Music-LoVers Give the
Singers q Rousing
Reception.

Au-a HE performance sof Puccinis
charming opera, la Boheme,"
given by the Grau company last
night, at popular prices, was
source of keen delight to those
who were present at the Grand
Opera House.
Society was not there, but the audience
was composed of lovers of music. who
thoroughly enjoyed the musical fare Of
fered to them. There were no waiting
carriages in front of the theater; gaily
dressed women and somber-clad men were
conspicuous by their absence. Even the
carpets were dispensed with on the side
walk.
What the audience lacked in numbers it
made up in enthusiasm. Dozens Of men
and women could be seen in orchestra,
dress circle and the galleries, following
the music, score in hand They, with the
balance of the audience, came to hear the
music and they were well rewarded. The
merits Of the production and the reduced
house, but, as Manager Grau himself has
said, grand opera in all countries is a $50
ciety Junction. so far as attendance is
concerned.
The boxes presented yawning chasms of
solitude, while the red plush of vacant
seats stood out in bold relief all over the
theater.
1t may be that society in this, as in
other large cities, is going through a pro-
cess of incarnation in musical matters
and that the next generation will witness
q season of grand opera when there will
be no ''off nights"
Singers enthusiastically Cheered
Manager Grau put forth some of his
best singers last night to sing in LA Bo-
heme, and judging by the manner in
which they responded to the plaudits of
the audience they perhaps enjoyed far
more the recognition of the average thea
ter-goers than they would that of an audi
ence composed of the -Four Hundred"
Suzanne Adams, De march,, De Segu-
rola, Gilbert, Dufriche, Vann and Cam
panari sang and acted the principal roles
OF LA Boheme,'' and Italia Vittoria Re-
petto, late of the Tivoli took the place of
FRITZ Scheff. who was indisposed. The
orchestra, under Seppilli's baton, came in
Tor big share of recognition, and the en-
tire performance was voted complete
success.
Tonight Gounod's Romeo and Juliet
Will be given, with Sybil Sanderson,
Edouard de Reszke, Salignac, Bars, Bride
well, Journet, Bauermeister and Declery
In the principal roles. There is consider
able speculation as to what Miss Sander
son will achieve in the role of Juliet
Tomorrow evening should be a gala
night, for MadameS Eames and Sembrich
appear in La Nozze di Figaro with a
area srea! cast including campanari as Fig
Calve Appears on Wednesday.
Wednesday night should witness a gath
ering of society's votaries, for ''the''
Calve is to appear as Carmen and show
San Francisco the rendition of the role
that has thrilled all Europe and the east
ern cities of America.
Die Meistersinger" is to be given on
Thursday night, with Gadski, Schumann-
Heink, Dippel, Bispham, Blass, Muhl-
mann, Viviani and De Reszke in the cast
Carmen" is to be repeated on Friday
night; Lohengrin" is the bill for the Sat
urday matinee; Sembrich is to sing in I'll
Barbiere di Siviglia" on Saturday night.
and Les. Huguenots'' is to be sung on
next Sunday night at popular prices.