The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20


This afternoon the new Tivoi re-
ceives its baptism of grand opera
great event. What the old Tivoli has
meant to us in operatic history we
all know. What the new Tivoli may
mean we can only surmise. So far it
has meant nothing. Curiously this is
the first Tivoli year, for many years,
without a season of grand opera Yet
one feels that Mr.. Leahy has not been
unwise therein. One has felt so sure of
the grand opera, year by year, that
gratitude has been rather forgotten.
With the better and better perform
ances given more and more has been
demanded, and only in the lack of what
we had so freely is it felt just how
much was so handsomely given. We
shall be very ready for next years
season, Mr.. Leahy, and meantime are
glad that Tivoli year shall not go by
wholly without grand opera.
This afternoons performance is of
Lucia and has the particular inter
est of introducing in the title role
won so favorable opinion in the part in
Europe. One is particularly glad of the
opportunity to hear Madame Francis
ca in opera. Her introduction in con-
cert was not fortunate one felt, so es-
sentially dramatic is her instinct. At
any rate the singer brings to her work
a voice even wonderfully beautiful,
pure, full. flexible, sweet and of a tim
bre peculiarly fine and rare The Ed
gardO will be our old friend, Russo, and
one knows him happy in the role The
cast is also fortunate in it's Henry Ash
ton, that will be sung by Signor BOr-
ghese, and SignOr WanrelI has the part
of Raymond. Then the orchestra will
be Importantly augmented for the oc-
casion, and the chorus-well, one wants
nothing better than the TivoH chorus.
Altogether the performance promises
to be one of exceptional interest. They
have been working like beavers at the
rehearsals, and with Mr.. Steindorff at
the baton there is little to fear as to
results. Come to think of it il is a
rather extraordinary condition of
things when an end of the world place
like this can produce a conductor, cast,
orchestra, stage manager at a mo-
ment's notice for the production of
grand opera like Lucia" and in the
fashion in which it is surely going to be
produced this afternoon at the TivOli-
Well, every one is to be there appar-
emily, to rejoice at the Tivoli's grand
opera christening. This afternoon, at 2.
Two remarkable pupil recitals, piano,
have constituted the chief musical fare
of the last few days. Little Enid
Brandt gave the first and Miss Enid
Williams, a pupil of Robert Tolmie. the
second.
/ think it counts up about two years
since Enid Brandt last appeared, a tiny
tot of ten, with little feet a foot from
the pedals, but with even then quite
more than welcome at the Orpheum,
bring there, this afternoon, a new
sketch. When Two Hearts Are Won"
Edward Raymond and Beatrice
Tricey are chief lights of the new
Chutes bill. They do a sketch en-
titled "A Mr. and a Miss Mistaken"
F'ischer's offer ten new numbers on
the bill for this week. The vaudeville
innovation is proving popular.
Seats will go on sale next Tuesday
morning at the box office of the Co
lumbia Theater for the two Sunday
night German performances to be Of
fered by the Alameda LustspieI En-
semble at that theater. The players
will make their appearance on Sun
day night the 27th in Blumenthal and
Kadelburg's comedy, "Grossstadtluft,"
and on the following Sunday night,
will. by special request, give a revival
OF I'm WeiSsen ROessl."