The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-28

IT. EN- 70 one II you were 70 ask the
next man who heard Don Pas
ouale'' last night for whom he
would vote as the next President
n he would reply rapturously sem
brichi Sembrich! there is none
other!' The town has gone Sembrich
mad Last night the singer received a
welcome and aroused an enthusiasm that
remains unequaIed in present day operate
annals OF "our town" After the curtain
fell grew tired Of keeping count how
many times-the fair cantatrice came be-
fore the footlights to attempt to stem the
torrent of applause, but without the
slightest apparent effect for some time
All her associates in the brilliant per
Torrance came with her and bowed, ana
bowed, and bowed, while, like the famous
coyote, the house howled, and howled, and
howled. Only the relieving spectacle OF
N. FIon, who was called for without ef-
feet, bowling with the depth and persever-
ance Of q Mandarin in his conductor
chair to the smiling diva, broke the spell,
and the tension Of the enthusiasm fitted
away into light laughter.
But not even III Barbiere" Of Saturday
last. nor the classic performance Of lie
NOzze di Figaro" Of this season compelled
the hosannahs that followed last night S
splendid effort. There was a large house,
now a Synonymous fact with Sembrlch
nights and Mr. Grau looked as happy in
his stage box as if bronchial Calves, run
away Sandersons' and missing Eameses
were the mereSt Pigments OF dream
The performance was one to cheer. 1t
was shiningly symmetrical. and to hear
thus given the merry, simple, unpreten-
IfOus opera, making no demands on IN
teilects working overtime in the struggle
for daily butter, is a thing to have lived
not in vain for. Sembrich was in radiant
form. Her art grows more perfect with
each hearing, and her Norma from every
side was simply an impeccable perform
ance. The merry Tilt Of the music, the
elfish, dainty cOQuetry Of the character,
were there to the last note and accent IN
every honeyed tone and gracious gesture
70 close she sang an interpolated ara
from Linda" ana her voice hoated ana
scared into the operate heaven of melody
that drew down the palm symphony that
followed. Sembrichs is the great vocal
fact Of the season, her every song pure
delight and her art a triumph.
1t was Scottis chance, too, last night,
and not since his Don Giovanni OF last
year has this most accomplished singer
been heard at his best His smooth,
round voice did wonders with the part
of Dottore Malatesta, and its feNbility
was never more admirably exhibited He
also has the suave humor OF the role In
delightful degree, hlling In the picture
with fulI sppreciation of its sprightly fun.
There was a singuiaTly beaut1ful balance
between his and Nine. Sembr1ch voice,
and the concerted work between them was
a marvel Of ensemble. Tavecchia also
stands out strongly in the buffa role OF
Don Pasouale, the tedious, prosy-credu-
lous, economical, but good-hearted old
person who plays December to Norma s
May.
Mr.. Tavecchia's work is remarkable for
many things, not the least It's excellent
Judgment He never Oversteps the limit Of
delicate bufTOonery required by the con-
ception yet gives all Its lat, unconscious
fun in generous measure. HIS parlando
Is marvelously good and as piece Of char
scter acting and singing nothing better
of the kind could be desired than Tavec-
chia's Don PasQuale.
Mr. Salignac's Ernesto was not up to
the pitch of the rest of the performance
but was inoffensive. The compass Of the
part ranges generally above him.. which
forcing throughout the role Still, Mr.
Salfgnac. had his moments, pleasing
dramatically, and sometimes sounding a
truly melodiOus note
THE famous quartet was sung in a fash
ion TO delight and amaze, and throughout
the concerted efforts were marked by a
M Flon, did admirably, and the bit Of
chorus work added to the evenings tri-
Umph.
The band wagon and circus jingle of II
Paeliacci" came curiously after Don
Pasouale''-old and modern Italy in most
effective contrast The Prologue" in
Mr. Campanari's gifted handling rang out
finely, splendidly; only we were all a
scrap disappointed because he didn' (
come out before the curtain to sing it.
panari can best do, and he was almost at
his best in the part. Not quite.
Tt speaks well, indeed, for little Miss
Schef that she was encored for her first
song. that came so near to Sembrich' s
last But her pure, light-yet not so
lieht-voice came out cheerfully in the
part and she is one Of the prettiest
things ever made as an actress. Miss
Schef is singing very well this year, with
a rounded voice and natural method that
speaks volumes for the work done since
She was last here. Her Media is a
dainty and satisfying dramatic and vocal
portrait.
/ did not hear De Marchi's closing
scene. but his voice promised bravely at
the beginning. though he looked not at
full ease in the part-Canio, Of course
But am very sure this admirable singer
satisfied.
Flon led with less certainty in the
. Leoncavvallo opera and the chorus had a
lslightly ''off" air occasionally But the
evening was a long triumph as a whole
and those afflicted with "Italianitis" will
be worse than ever after il. 1 am in
fected myself
BLANCHE PARTINGTON.