The San Francisco call., 1905-02-24
ITALIANS SCORE
MANAGER LEAHY
Refusal to Permit Tetraz-
zini to Sing for Verdi Mon
ument Sharply Criticized
COMMITTEES VERSION
Says He Threatened to Shut
the Tivoli Unless Prima
Donna Withdrew Promise

The following letter from G. Amalgia
and Andrea Sbarboro Of the Verdi
Monument Committee explains that
committees position in the controversy
over Signora Tetrazzinis withdrawal
from the programme of the Verdi con-
cert this evening:
Editor Call: The daily newspapers have
Deen e publishing these days contradictory news
with regard to the appearance OF signora
Tetrazzini at the concert to be given Friday
night. February "a, at the Alhambra Theater
by the Minetu orchestra for the benefit OF the
Verdi monument to be erected In Golden Gate
Park Some newspapers have stated that the
announcement of the appearance OF the great
prima donna was not genuine. For this rea-
son the undersigned who dealt with Signora
Tetrazzini, think it their duty to give a brief
statement of the whole matter.
AS it is known. few years the daily news
paper L1talia started subscription for the
erection Of a monument in San Francisco TO
the great Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi
TO help said fund for the last two years the
italian artists that have appeared at the Tiv-
OIL with the permission Of the management of
that theater. each season volunteered to give
an entertainment The amount raised was de-
posted by Messrs. Almagia & Patrfzi, editors
of the Daily LItalia, in the Italian-American
Bank to bear interest The bank book bears
the name of Verdis Monument Fund, NJ j.
Fontana trustee.
On the occasion of the present season at the
Tivoli Opera-house 1t was hoped that another
entertainment, following the previous custom.
could be arranged with the artists singing
there, but when the manager of the T1voli.
W. n. Leahy, was consulted IN the matter he
absolutely refused to grant any permission,
giving reasons which are not worth mention
Ing The idea was dropped. During the last
two weeks A Sbarboro. a member Of the
Verdi monument committee. insistently
requested by several American people. among
whom was Henry Payot Supervisor, to make
arrangements Tor an entertainment TO the ef-
feet above stated. Mr. Sbarboro went to Mr..
Leahy to-ask the permission and the manager
OF the Tfvoli again answered with refusal.
1t was then that Mr.. Sbarboro, knowing that
the M1nettl orchestra going to give a IN
cert on next Friday evening, asked Mr.. Leahy
If he would at least allow Signora Tetrazzini
to take part in that concert. Mr.. Leahy said
that If Signora Tetrazzini did not sing that
night at the Tivoh he would probably give the
requested consent. The following day Signora
Tetrazzini was consulted. and as soon as she
heard that her contribution was desired for the
Verdi concert she most enthusiastically de-
clared that she would appear. saying that for
courtesys sake Mr.. Leahys consent should
be asked. She stated. however. that she was
sure no objection would be made as to her
appearance. adding that her contract with the
company was over, and that she was at liberty
to do as she pleased.
Tetrazzini. Mr.. Sbarboro informed Mr.. Leahy
of the prima donna's willingness to sing ON
Friday evening, hoping that his part he
would have opposition In the matter. Mr..
Leahy answered that he positively objected.
and 1t was then that Signora Tetrazzini. hav-
ing been informed of said refusal, wrote let
ter stating and confirming that she not
under any obligations with her managers. and
that with or without their consent. she would
appear in the Minetti concert, singing the
cavatina of la Traviata.' An announce
ment was then accordingly made IN the daily
papers.
After this done the manager OF the
Tivoli frightened Signora Tetrazzini. warning
her that if she were going to sing in the con-
cert the theater would be Immediately closed
ard the season ended This threat put Sig
nora Tetrazzini In a trying position, for. while
she wanted to be true to her promise, she dis
liked to be the cause OF the abrupt ending Of
the season. thus causing great damage to her
companions and her italian impresarfo. There
fore the lady presented this dilemma to the
undersigned. Taking everything into consid-
Grafton. and, above ALL for Signora Tetrazzini's >
sake, who so enthusiastically showed her will
ingness they thought il best to drop the mat
ter and relieve Signora Tetrazzini of her writ
ten promise.
This is the true state Of affairs Of this
pleasant occurrence, and leave II to the
public to make its comments We only wish
to show by this statement that the announce
ment of Signora Tetrazzinfs appearance was
made absolutely in good faith
A. SBARBORO,
G. ALMAGIA,
Members of the Verdi Monument COMMITTEES.