The San Francisco call., 1905-01-20
"TRAVIATA"
AT THE TIVOLI
A GREAT HIT


Real clothes at the Tivoli, "Travia-
ia" that ripped, and the largest house
bar that of "Lucia"-of the season last
night. Nothing could better illustrate
the commercial value of the star sys-
tenn than the houses of the last and
preceding nights 'Manon" was an
opera practically new to Tivoli goers.
Half house greeted it-true, there
was much weather outside La
Traviata," that one has been accus-
toned to regard as hackneyed. thin
enough vehicle for the human lark,
with Tetrazzini, crammed the theater.
Practically the season has divided it
self into Tetrazzipf nights and other
nights. When Tetrazzini sings the
people will go whether Mr.. Verdi, Mr..
Bizet or any one else made the opera,
and no matter how he made 1t. The
attitude is not artistic but perfectly
natural. One can very fully excuse it
while Tetrazzani sings. for her every
appearance only makes 1t more
apparent that here indeed is an ex-
traordinary singer, a rare vocal pre-
ciousness.
AS to La Traviata," last nights
reading and rendering suggest a new
deal in opinions. In the finely respect
full Interpretation of Signor Pollacco
the careless old ''tum-tum'' took on
astonishing grace and distinction. It
sparkled it thrilled. Irredeemably and
poorly mechanical one has become used
to believing much of the orchestral
work-so it has been sawed off for us.
The effects have been stamped as for
NAL in the hopeless way. One has ex-
pected nothing-and usually has got it.
Last night 1t was different. Even Pol
lacco thought SO, I think. That modest
gentleman, for the first time since his
introduction here, acknowledged cur
tain call, as many, in fact, as time per-
mitted. And one was never better de-
served. Every phrase, every note Of
the opera was charged with meaning,
the whole thing gathering significance,
picturesqueness. dramatic intensity, as
with no other '"Traviata' of my expe-
rience May add my .brava" to the
thousands of last night, Signor Pol
lacco?
TetraWini contributed tremendously
to the dramatic illusion. The woes of
Violetta became actually human in her
Interpretation. All the vocal embroid-
cry was most deft1y fitted to the dra-
matte need. A really extraordinary ex-
ample of this was the scene between
Violetta and Alfredo's father (excel-
lently done by Signor RombolD. One
would have quite forgotten here that
the actors speech was song but for the
beauty of the speech, SO wonderfully
little did it interfere with the dramatic
intention. The tears in Tettrazzini's
eyes-real, homemade tears-were not
the only ones in the Tivoli just then.
The scene was eminently touching,
played with a sincerity and conviction
that carried all before it. But through
out Tetrazzini showed herself an ac-
tress of admirable resource and accom-
plfshment. Further, she sang. how she
did sing! I'm waiting for Melba.
Melba comes on the 18th of February;
these singers finish at the Tivoli on the
same date. We will see then. The
quality of the Tetrazzini voice is Mel
ba's exactly. as 1 remember it. The
Melba voice comes no more purely in
my memory. / think Melba has it in
power, has 1t again in sheer, dazzling,
technical fluency, but the comparison
imposes itself. If it is not sacrilegious
one would like also to express gratitude
to Tetrazzini for her most un-grand-
opera-like charming gowns
Signor Coli was the Alfredo, and I
wish one had such a good time about it
as he evidently has. He filled in enthu-
siastically. The chorus counted hand
somely last night, the climax of the
gaming scene being, in the circum-
stances, a miracle of ensemble.
Tonight "Manon," with Berlindi--a
dainty opera, cleverly acted, well sung.
BLANCHE PARTINGT0N.