The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

the new operas, int-Saens, Charpen-
tier and those all there. We like all
opera that is good; if French, yes; if
German, yes; if Italian just the same
yes, not any more. For, me! For me-
1t is very bad tradition that Italy is
the home of music It is Germany.
Germany, for purest music"
Then you regard the symphony as
the highest form of music-we'l leave
out the music-drama? 1 suggested.
Yes, yes," Polacco said, with an
emphatic nod.
And Beethoven as it's prophet
ventured to believe.
1T Is So" the conductor eagerly ac-
knowledged. Always in symphonic
music I prefer the classic, and where is
it greater than with Beethoven? 1t is
the last word. 1 should like II the
press would ask, If it would assist me,
he added with eager righteousness, Ito
give just one symphony concert here,
with Beethoven symphony, or Men
delssohn, and some lighter works-say
the Invitation to the Waltz, orches-
trated by Weingartner. You have not
had it? Splendid thing"
How does Strauss strike you?" I
asked.
Strauss will try to express" Po-
lacco began, slim forefinger flying to
his nose, eyes glinting anxiously. Then
he loosened the white silk muffier that
was keeping out the days damp, threw
open his overcoat and in quick staccato
went at 1t.
Strauss, his music, too realistic. He
tries to-to-make pictures of things
that should not be pictured Noble
emotions only should be illustrated in
music"
What of your La Tosca" 1 inter-
rupted.
All" Polacco threw up his hands,
lit is the same. One should not make
illustration of basse passions like Scar
pias Music is not for that The
Strauss music, La Tosca,' it is all very
rhetorical very clever, imposing. much
color, Instrumentation most wonderful,
but is it music? Take 'Germania.'
L'amour pour la patrie-vous compre-
nez?-est la motif, but there is also
haine-hatred, you call it?-between
two friends. 1 will tell you. Two
friends there are in the story One of
L..
comes to abuse her. They then hate
each other and are going to fight. But
the moment IA patrie calls, they forget
all. So silently-quietly, I mean ?"-
the conductor asked the signora-"the
composer tells about the hatred in the
music. No-over- action. great noise.
wrong realism, it is always music
Like Rossini's thunder and lightning
in The Barber" l supplemented, and
Polacco nodded lively assent.
We got down then to a bit of Po-
lacco history.
II began my career in London" he
surprised me with, "as assistant con-
ductor at the Shaftesbury Theater. I
was some time there, and did once con-
duct 'Cavalleria at Windsor Cas-
tie"
He conducted for the Queen" little
Mrs. Polacco put in, beaming all over,
forgetting her shyness in her pride.
Polacco laughed indulgently at his
wife, but acknowledged the fact, then
went on: After that I went to Rio
Janeiro, to assist Marino Manci-
nelli-'
"Ah, Mancinelli," I cried "Luigi's
brother, is it not? Thank you, sig
nor,'
Thank your" the conductor re-
peated, puzzled.
You know 1 said that your conduct
ing reminded of Mancinellis," ex-
planned, you see 1 can say I told you
So"
Polacco did not understand this tiny
feminine gloat, but seemed satisfied,
as I was, and went on: "Mancinelli
was a great conductor. I like, I was
very much inamorata of him, my poor
maestro. He killed himself, you know.
His misfortune was my fortune.
have his place for six years after
And then?"
Polacco rapidly put more of South
America on the operatic map for me
then with owning to four years con-
Quoting in Buenos Ayres. He said of
the opera-house there: "The opera
house Is most like that of New York
than any other that 1 know. Great
spectacle they make there, very splen-
did. After, since then, I have been
three years in Milano. At the Lyric we
have, too, great mise-en-scene. 1t is a
passion with Mr.. Sonzogno."
do you play at all yourself, signor?'
An expressive shrug Illuminated his
81 play little piano. But"-he threw
out his hands-"when one has an or
chestra to play on, every instrument Is
for baby. When one has an orchestra
in ones hands-oh, 1t is just to lose
time to play anything else! / wish to
tell you"-he interrupted himself with