The San Francisco call., 1905-04-06
OPERA SEASON
OPENS TONIGHT
Phenomenal Advance Sale of
Seats InsureS Complete
success of Undertaking
GREAT SINGERS ARRIVE
CaruSo and Sembrich Will
Appear in Initial Per-
f0rmanee of "RigOletto"

The COnried Metropolitan opera
season viii open at the Grand Opera
house tonight Nearly every seat in
the great building is already reserved.
Society viii turn out en- masse, and it
is expected il viii be one of the most
brilliant audiences ever assembled on
this coast
The advance sale for the whole sea-
son has been something phenomenal.
Charles ". Strine. the manager of
the San Francisco season, said last
night that the season opens here with
an advance sale 10 its credit that now
exceeds the gross receipts of the great
pany.
Naturally the great event of the
season viii be the ''ParsifaF' perform
nance and the appearance Of Caruso
A large number Of the principals
arrived yesterday. Caruso was among
the number. He is staying at the
Palace. He brings with him seven
immense trunks, containing his per
sOnal effects, entirely independent of
his theatrical wardrobe. He is oc-
companied by two Wallets He is very
bright and quick in his conversation,
and gave concisely his ideas of the
trip across the continent He said, in
broken English:
CARUSO IN GOOD VOICE.
7 had no idea America was such a
big place. The road across the coun-
try was awfully long, and soc much
riding in the cars made me feel
sleepy I think the big bay is very
gtand. and 1 am surprised that you
have here. so many miles from the
East such d big and superb hotel. 1t
is wonderful to me- I feel 1 am in
good voice, and I want TO please your
people here. as I am told they are the
most critical in this country"
Nine. Sembrich is at the ST. Francis.
She is as charming, jolly and attrac-
tive as ever. She said: 4 am glad
10 get back TO San Francisco again.
Glad 10 see the people and glad TO see
my friends. You see 1 have a lot Of
them here, as you can judge by these
lovely baskets Of flowers they have
sent me-"
Madame Nordica. with other artists
OF the aggregation. viii arrive in a
special train az s o'clock this morning,
"RigolettO" will be the opera to-
night.
Csruso, the worlds greatest Italian
tenor. viii make mis- first appearance
on this coast. His success has been
phenomenal wherever he has sung,
and the great music-loving public of
dorse the critics of the Eastern cities,
and the old World.
Caruso viii sing the role of II Duca,
i'm which he is said TO be without a
rival.
sENIBRICH Is HAPPY.
Nine. Sembrich viii sing Gilda.
She needs no praise, for she is ac-
knowIedged here as one OF the worlds
most beautiful songbirds. Louise
Homer. Scott and Journet viii COM
plete a cast of rare excellence. The
performance tonight will be as per-
feet as il can be produced.
Arturo Nigna who viii conduct the
opera. is q leader Of long experience,
and stands AT the head Of his pro-
fession. He is new TO this city.
Incidental TO the opera, a superb
ballet viii be introduced in the first
act
In order to accommodate the inn
mense orchestra necessary TO make a
hitting accompaniment TO the
elaborsteness Of the production Of all
The operas for the season. the entire
first two rows Of orchestra seats have
been taken out.
Parsifal' will be given tomorrow.
The curtain will raise promptly at 8
o'clock in the afternoon for this per-
Torrance. The first act viii end at
6:45 2. m and there viii then be an
intermission until S:45 p. m. when the
second act viii begin. All who attend
the performance must be IN their
places some minutes before the open
ing Of each act, as once the conductor
is al his desk. no one VIII be seated.
The interest in "Parsifal" is shown
by the big audiences that attended
Mary Fairweather's lectures on that
opera al Lyric Hall last night and
Tuesday afternoon.