The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

1T was matter of personality, doubt
aess, but one expected to find very
: tan person in Signor Polacco. The
new. Tivoli conductor is an extremely
=. inspiring person at the desk, and six
of seven feet Of him away would not
Surprise. But it was a gentleman of
quite modest inches and build that put
. out a slim hand to me last. Sunday in
Manager Leahy's Office. He owned,
however. the close cropped head and
quick. glancing brown eye of the con-
=. ductor, and Mr.. Leahys Introduction
was a further Endorsement of identity.
Two minutes later one needed none.
. Signor Polacco was by then in the
thick. of the modern Italian opera, his
delightfully."- adventurous English lend
tng pfQuancy and point to a distinctly
1uuininative discourse.
BUT one must not keep the lady wait
ing At Signor Pollaccos elbow. rosy
checked, round of face as he is elegant
fy'. spare. with shy, soft, long-lashed
black eyes. stood Signora Pollacco.
Dutifully, after her shy salutation, she
took a seat as far from the interviewer
and interviewed as Mr.. Leahy's little
office .permitted-about three feet. and
sat there, her soft Italian eyes wor-
ehipfully following every movement of
her distinguished "sposo." His own
glance sought hers frequently. Want
ing an English word in the midst of
a. cataract of voluble. Anglo-1talian,
wanting perhaps to know just what
had said. Signor Polacco would turn
to the brown-eyed lady as one sure
of help. And i'm purest, prettiest Eng
nsh, with quick Italian translation of
any English problems, Signora Polacco
would furnish it. She explained very
pio0estly, however, that she knows only
German.
1t: was "Manon"-the Massenet Ma
non''-I think We began with. Massenet
the conductor regards as a very big
man." perhaps the biggest of the
Frenchmen, and "Manon" as very in
spirated" and original. Naturally one
came to Puccini here with his "Manon
Lescaut," which opera the conductor
ranks quite highly.
II will tell you" Polacco said, lay
ing: a significant forefinger against his
nose in a funny, eager little fashion
appointed of Puccini. 1 expect from
him more. La Tosca,' where is your
melody? Not much. Nine. Butterfly,
the last opera, I think much Of how
ever. am convince it will be some
= day regard as the best work of Puc-
cini. 1t was not a success at La
Scala, true. But walt"
Whom do you regard as the fore
Of 6oxr %o1
posers?" 1 asked.
':Oh, for originality, Mascagni." Po-
olacco replied, without the slightest hes
'itation. You have had his 'Ratcliffe'
here? No? 1t is a fine work. 1 con-
Quoted the premiere of it in Milan.
.MaScagni came, and-he could not stay.
NE. train came-he sent me a great
telegram to congratulate. I like you
e to see. Then there is, too, Franchetti,
true successor of Verdi"
why did you not bring something of
his for" us here?" 1 interrupted. I'VE
have had nothing"
Wait said Signor Polacco, "if be
so happy to come back to San Fran
cisco-I hope 1 may-I will bring you
'Germania.' Franchetti's music is very
aristocratic, noble. He has the Wag-
merriam technique and the italian gift of
melody. SO large and noble phrase, so
easy of COM CON-
comprehension" Signora Polacco
furnished. The Signora's interpretations
by the way showed a familiarity with
much more than English, in fact a wide
and sympathetic knowledge of music.
.F'ranchetti," the conductor con-
tinued, a gracious nod w1feward ac-
knowledging his indebtedness, Fran
chetti began much better than Wagner,
you remember. His AzraeT is power
full, splendid, altogether finer than
'Rienzi,' the first opera of Wagner. His
Columbus, written for the fourth CEN
tenary of the discovery of your Ameri-
ca, is fine also"
Giordano, whose Fedora" will be one
Of the new operas this season, was not
mentioned, but Polacco gave high
praise to C1lea, whose "Adrienne Le-
couvreur' will be another Of the novel
ties. Cilea's "LArlesienne" be cata-
1ogued as too triste, very-nostalgic
but deleecious!" Mention of the nov
elites Of the season brought us to Son.
zogno, the Maecenas Of modern Italy,
and the proprietor Of the Lyric Theater
rival of La Scala, at which Signor Po-
lacco when he is at home presides
I'VE have not a false patriotism In
ITALY,. the conductor explained. Mr..
Sonzogno he opens the door to all
operas. 1 have conducted twenty-one
tn one season, with the composers Of