The San Francisco call., 1901-12-08

was made much of by certain Of the press
which united in praising Graus enter
prise, and devoted columns to the free
advertising of his musical stars.
The furor in local society increased
from day to day. Everybody who pre-
tended to social distinction, and many
who did not, were determined to make
this an occasion for that ostentatious
show which, as Balzac says, is so dear
to the feminine soul. The services of mo-
distes were brought in requisition, for new
opera gowns and cloaks were an absolute
necessity Those that were used at the
opera last season were out of date, and
new costumes were imperatively demand
ed. Men who could afford the eXpendi-
ture, and many more who could not, in
vested large sums for the adornment of
their wives, who read with delight on the
following day in the newspapers complete
descriptions of their charming costumes.
1t was a social triumph for many, but the
end is not yet. The collectors for the
cloak and garment makers who do busi-
ness on the installment plan will be busy
for months to come, reminding their pat
rons that while the opera season comes
but once a year they are as perennial as
the summers sun.
Hacks Were Much in Need.
Another item that contributed to the dis
comfture of society spouses was the ne
cesSity of hacks to and from the theater
and petite souperS at the Palace and other
noted caraVansaries. 1t was necessary for
the social standing of many that their
names E0OulQ appear IN the papers as
being one of a distinguished party which
discussed an elegant collation. at some
bonton restaurant or other. All this sort
of thing costs money, and, added TO the
price of opera seats, enough wealth was
disbursed in this sort of polite dissipation
to keep many of the participants busy for
the next six months in an endeavor to
even up scores. 1t is estimated that fully
SIS, 900 was expended for hack rides and
fancy menus during the tendency of the
season: While this may have benefited
the industries mentioned, there are many
who will look at a hack and an epicurean
menu with positive loathing for some
months to come.
Finally came Grau and his troupe of
world beaters. They opened up business
at the Grand Opera-house in brilliant
style. 1t was a triumph of art and San
Francisco went wild. Calve was to ap-
pear, but instead came the sudden an
nouncement that the greatest of Carmens
was ill-positively i'll. This was the first
disappointment. Then followed the state
ment that Sybil Sanderson, the California
songstress whom everybody was DESTROYS
of seeing, had partaken of poisoned meats
and was unable to meet her engagement
as scheduled. She finally recovered and
on her appearance as Manon people Won
dered what she was doing in grand opera.
Then came Calve to win a veritable tri-
Umph in single performance during the
subscription season of three weeks.
Wanted More of Calve.
For the remainder of the season the
subscribers were forced to content them
selves with Gadski, Sembrich and Eames,
all artistes of merit, but who alone would
scarcely have enlisted the support of San
Francisco music lovers to the tune of
nearly 100000 for three weeks of grand
opera The subscribers wanted more of
Calve, but the failure of Grau to crafty
them in this respect aroused that spirit
OF resentment which was TO grow to posi-
tive hatred before the end of the season.
During the last week of the season the
subscribers were treated to four repeti-