The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-01
Barytone Gregoretti
Seems to Be Star
of the Organization

II HEARTILY wished there were three
of me last night. why Mrs Hatch
was. 'unwelcome" cat the Alcazar)
IA. appealed as being L distinctly inter-
esting question, particularly with
Florence Roberts to answer It, Then,
again, at the Columbia the years growth
in Margaret Anglins Camille was a mat
ter of fascinating moment. But there was
grand opera round the corner. There
was Aida" There was the Tivolis new
company Of buoyant, bubbling Italians,
and an audience that cannot be matched
this side Of Milan. And who would miss
Grau. No San Franciscan with the small
est musical kink in his ear.
Last nights was quite the usual sort of
festival, with its dithyrambfc entEusi-
asms and general joy. The audience ran
over the rim Of the house and propped up
the walls. just as usual. The standees
shouted "Bis!' with the same undated
gayety and stamped as cheerfully as ever
their tired soles. The chatter hat invad-
ed the overtures was as promptly Missed,
the profane smoker as promptly sup
pressed. Tbs new people We're all well
coined with the same paeans, and Mr.
Steindorff was as usual decked with the
triumphant laurels.
It is early to say, and last nights per-
formance was Of course not the best there
will be, but it would appear that this
company that is to sing the REQUIEM of
the little old opera-house around the cor
ner, that is to sing the natal song Of the
new Tivon, is one of the best that we
have had. Perhaps-nay undoubtedly.
Alamo Gregoretti the barytone Of the
cast, was the star among last nights
new people. Cregoretu has been herald
ed as a second Salassa,' as. what that
splendid old artist was in his prime.
Therefore, when one says that this diff
ficuIt comparison does not offend after
hearing the new BARITONE is to say much
for Messer Gregoretti. He is much
younger than Salassa, not yet the superb
artist. and possibly never the splendid
actor that the grand old man was, but
he has voice that reminds in its round.
ness. resonance and smoothness of the
Salassa organ. 1t is more powerful, but
handled with the same ease, and there
is again the same delightful certainty of
information. Neither is there the shadow
Of the vicious vibrato, and the voice from
end to end is beautifully. even. This is
the beginning of the .Gregoretti Anon
asro. and the rest makes all for an
excellent Interpretation Of the fine role.
The new barytone was received with ut
most enthusiasm.
Lima de Benedetto was the Aida of the
cast and shows herself "a very fortunate
addition to the TivolPs role of fame.
Benedetto has a powerful dramatic So
prano, as round as she is, wide in range,
and sympathetic. in, quality. It's volume
seems endless and its lower notes are Of
remarkable fullness and beauty. Not al
WAYS are the tones quite even and occa-
sionally the soprano sacrifices tonal beau
~ to the dramatic exigency, but some
of her mezzo voices. are as limpidly beau
tiful as Gadskps own' and her sustained
high notes a triumph of powerful sweet
ness. The singer shows a sympathetic
and vigorous dramatic sense, her make
up was good and she has smile that is
a particularly engaging asset: She is a
roly-poly little person, as to stage pres
ence, but handles herself with charming
dignity.
Cleo Marchesini is. the new con-
tralto, and sang Amneris with much
success. Her voice shows slight signs
of wear, but is. "a large, round organ,
dramatic in quality and with low
tones of exceptional power and richness.
Marchesini's acting of the role was much
better than usually falls to it's lot, and
the famous scene between Amneris and
Aida in the second act aroused much
more than its usual need of applause.
She, too, must be rec1oned, among the
valuable members of the new company.
The tenor, again, Ischierdo, is also well
among the best tenors the TivoH has
known. He is person of tremendous
dignity. handsome stage presence and
with a bright, powerful voice that re-
minds somewhat of Emilio de aIarchis.
His Radanes is dramatically also very sue
cessful, and he is the roles best vocal ex-
ponent for some years. He was applaud
ed-well, wildly, is the most modest term.
Our old friend Dado, for whom a spe-
cial round of plauditory greeting stopped
the wheels Of the opera for some mo-
ments, sang the Kings part, Of course,
just as 1t should be sung.
He generously stepped aside to allow
the new basso. Travaglini, to make his
bow as the high priest. Travaglini has