The San Francisco call., 1905-01-16
POLLACCO WINS
GREAT APPLAUSE.
His "Cavalleria" !" Delights
the Lovers of Mascagni's
Great Prize Composition
BERLENDI rs POPULAR
Her Finished Singing Bids
Fair to Make Her an Idol
With the Patrons of Opera
BERLENDI rs POPULAR

w 1tll l. Ol1C vi ~
If there is one opera more than an
other of which San Francisco thinks
IL knows things it is "Cavalleria Rusti-
cana" that we had direct from Mas
cagni himself. Everybody was at the
Tivoh last night to hear Pollacco's
version, in spite of rainstorm much
heavier than Mr.. Rossfnis in the third
act of The Barber" Signor Pollacco
has some claims to knowledge of
Mascagni. He conducted the premiere
of "Ratcliff'' in Milan in such fashion
as to win the august approval of its
maker. The "Cavalleria" is, further, a
favorite work with .the conductor, to
whom Mascagni is the most original
and prominent figure in the modern
Italian school.
! At the outset one notes throughout
slightly quicker tempt than Mascagni's
own; some cuts here and there-from
the composer we had the opera in its
entirety-and certain differences of
light and shade. One remembers, for
example, the scene after the rise of
the curtain, picture of the dawn,
given in yelled, mysterious fashion by
the composer-as ominous of the day
to follow. Mr.. Pollacco's dawn is
fortnight, sunny affair-probably all
not have to bother about scores. But
Mascagni would have been happy in
the Interpretation as a whole. 1t was
a reading admirably dramatic and
spirited and notably sensitive and the
musicians were eXcellently in hand for
the performance.
The orchestra in both the Cav
alleria' and 'I'Pagliacci" was in par
ticularly fine fettle and the conductor
! altogether newly discovered as a leader
of large resource and admirable mu-
steamship.
Berlendi was the Santuzza, with her
dinnpled face surrounded by all sorts
oe competitive shades-chiefy that of
! the faming-eyed SantuZZa of Calve. I
To say that Berlendis comes next to
that astounding creation is not light
praise. In local annals that is, however,
it's place. 1t was a Berlendi night last
night. The singer grows on acquaint
ance and bids fair to become the favor
ite here that Mexico acclaims her. Her
Santuzza was vividly dramatic, with
note of convincing sincerity. 1t was
full of the peasant feeling, from the
simplicity Of the dress TO the least ges-
ture Signorina Berlendi was unfor-
tunate in her Mamma Lucia-they evil
IDENTIFY thought so on the programme,
as they omitted to mention her name.
1t might have been the toothache tha,
(
the perfidy of Turiddu from the
Mamma Lucia's face. Berlendi sang
at her bravely and brilliantly, and so
ali through.
Coli, the last of the tenors, made
his debut last night. Last but not least, |
Signor Coli seems a little to believe
his Turiddu an anxious, busy, import |
ant person. He seemed very pleased !
with his reception-got up after he died !
to acknowledge the applause. But +
Sigl,or Coli does not obliterate Agos- ]
tini's memory. He pleases, however, J
sings we'll, in a high, bright voice, and
looks well. Romboli was the Alto and !
sufffced and Miss Eugene Barker of /
the Tivoli forces was vocally pleasing !
Lola, short, however on the deviltry of
the part
'TPagliacci," as usual, followed, !
with an excellent performance. Ber- |
lendi added to her laurels as Media, |
the coquetry of the character receiv-
ing delightful exposition at her hands, |
her vocal assumption perhaps the best /
in local history. Frosini has "a tremen- !
dous voice. He was the Canio of the |!
cast and eloquent and convincing !
from all sides. He has a bad habit of !
depending on the prompter, who is, in
deed, a too-busy person all round. |
! Signor Romboli was the Tonic, and a |
/ capital one. He sang his prologue in |,
such fashion as to capture a tumultu- /
Gus encore, and repeated it. Our old !
| friend Signor Cortesi sang the part !
| of Silvio, and as always, competently. !
He substituted for Signor Rossi
! Tonight the theater will be closed /
| and on Tuesday evening Lucia" will
4 be given, with Tetrazzni in the title
role. BLANCHE PARTINGTON.
| The Orpheum last night varied its
programme for the week by introducing
new sketch by Cressy entitled THE
New Depot" Cressy and Blanche
/ Dayne were recipients of the usual
! praises for their work, and Cressy in
particular for his genius for adapta-
ton. Fitzgerald introduced a new act,
! THE Mississippi Mall" which gave him
ample opportunity to show his wonder
full quick-change work. He represented
seven distinct characters and did JUS
| tice to all. Chassino repeated his work
of last week and was we'll received.
Eleanor Fake, with the assistance of
| the orchestra, caught the house, at
least a fair proportion of it, and Cliff
/ ford and Burke were really clever as
eccentric comedians. Clifford sings Il
May Be Crazy, But / Amt No Fool'
almost as we'll as Williams, and was
encored several times. Burke is a good
dancer and won his share of applause.
''The Ten Nelson's" deserve the reputa-
ton of being "the greatest acrobatic
| family before the public" for their
number at least gives them an advan-
tage which some exceedingly well ex-
ecuted work subjected to the test of
comparison would not award them. But
/ 1T must be said that the Nelson's are
hard to duplicate and that they are de-
serving of the liberal recognition that
the great audience accorded them.
Had the Kerry Cow had it's initial
|