The San Francisco call., 1905-01-13
MERIT BETTER
THAN ITS FAME
Italian Grand Opera Com
pany-- at Tivoli Discloses
Unexpected Musical Worth
ola TOSCA" WE'LL SUNG
Though Below First Nights
Triumph Work of Singers
and Orchestra Is Applauded

La Tosca" last evening brought out
the dramatic voices Of the Italiap
Grand Opera Company at the Tivoli. 1t
was the second night of the season, and
there was a kind of second night feel
ing generally about things. Not that
there is any doubt of the quality Of the
people gathered together at the Tivoli,
only neither they nor the audience were
at their best. One wonders If the small
or size of the house as compared with
that of the first night was comment
upon the opera. The music-m -melo-
drama was success here from the
first excellent performance of it given
under Mr. Steindorff, but the fact re-
mains that the audience last evening
was by third less than on the first
night.
Nor was the performance by much on
the first nights level, though It cleared
up we'll in the last act. Even a Pollac-
CO proved himself unable to whip
modern music-drama into shape in one
rehearsal. The score is most intricate
and difficult, and there were many
loose ends. This was particularly the
case with the orchestral portion, yet
in its many fine moments one remem-
bered to be glad Of the tonal body and
beauty afforded by the large organiza-
ton. But even the principals were
tired, perhaps-not quite sure of their
parts.
Signorina Berlendi is destined to be-
come a great favorite here or / mis-
take. She is an extremely pretty
young women, an actress of charm, and
power and possessed of big, brilliant
dramatic soprano voice. Perhaps in
the comedy phase of the character of
Floria Tosca she showed herself most
capable, but she also depicted convinc-
ingly the horror of La Tosca when in
the meshes of Scarpia and the emotions
evoked by her murder of the tyrant.
There is very much to be expected from
Signorina Berlendi and tomorrow
afternoon, as last night, La Tosca
of real thrill.
La Puma looked like DR.. Johnson,
but / do not feel inclined therefore to
play the Boswell to his Scarpia. Per-
haps it was because he acted it in the
sedate and stolid fashion that might
have been expected from the ''immor-
tai photographer" Yet, so greatly has
report OF this company fallen below
It's desert that I am wondering If it
is / or Signor La Puma who was out
of mood last evening. But one has seen
Coquelin's stab at the same part, and
after that La. Puma can afford his.
Tonight the barytone will sing
Figaro in THE Barber" which will
probablyNprove La Puma's opportunity.
AS to voice, it's a beauty. Smooth.
splendidly flexible, resonant, powerful.
we are going to hear some wonderful
things from the singer when, as a
voice. he gets his chance.
Coli, first billed as Cavaradossi, did
not appear, but in Signor Frosini was
discovered an exponent of the part who
commanded large admiration. Signor
Frosini though quite apparently feel
ing his way In the earlier scenes, later
developed a dramatic intensity, a
vocal power and beauty, that, with
Signorina Berlendi, carried the situa-
tions almost killed by La Puma. Fro
sini will share dramatic honors with
Berlendi this season. The singers
were repeatedly called out after the
final curtain. OF the rest of the cast
Signor Cervi in the sacristans part rem
dered good service.
Tettrazzini tonight and "The Barber
of Seville"
BLANCHE PARTINGTON.