The San Francisco call., 1907-02-05
GiOrgi Marbles
in Verdi Opera
Hemmi Scores Big Hit
In Title Role of
"Pri rincess Chic .
BY James Crawford

Adaberto's absence from the cast of
La Forza del Destino" last evening at
the Central Theater disappointed fewer
people than would have been the case
a month ago ere she acquired a repu-
tation for falling to make good the ad-
vance announcements. When the pub
lie begins to question an artists re-
liability in the MAKER of appearing as
advertised. the box office becomes chief
complainant. and physicians certifi-
Gates are devoid of solacing charm
Giorgf served as substitute for the
missing prima DONNA and sang and
acted Just as earnestly as if she had
been originally chosen for the role. but
her limitations prevented as satisfac-
tory performance. either vocally or
dramatically, as Adaberto would have
given. Also on the stage were such
big people as Antola. D'Ottavi, Lam
bardi, Campofiore and Pacini and if
the opera itself had proved to be nearly
as tuneful as it was touted, the BAN
ner production of the season would
have been recorded, despite Adaberto's
detection.
The music was Verdis. but its com
position was not reflective of the in
spiration that gave us "Trovatore." to
which it had been lilxened by the
touters. If anyone has ever heard any
thing from La Forza del Destinov
whistled by the toiling Italian or
ground out OF hand organ or squeezed
out of an accordion. 1 would like to
be Informed of the time and place. Mel
ocles there are plenty in La Forza
del Destino, but not one of them ac-
companies you from the theater. Here
and there you recognize q flash of the
genius that found vent in The Tenn
pest of the Heart, '--The Anvil Chorus,
and that Azucena theme. but it is gone
ere your memory can camera it, Per-
haDs second helping would enable
the mind TO retain some of the f1eeting
gems, but second helpings were not
numerously demanded last night The
opera does resemble 'TroVatore' in
the quantity, if not in the quality. of
its solos and concerted numbers and in
visible choruses, one of the latter. in
the second act. being strongly remind
full of La Miserere" There is much
I'churchly music in that act.
The argument is even more melodra-
matte than that of "Rigoletto.v for Re
venge stalks rampant through four acts
and murder and suicide bring the
final curtain. Disrobed of melodious
trimmings, it would be a ten twent'
an thirt' thriller of first magnitude.
All the people acted appropriately .
Campofore, as if to make up for neg
lected opportunities in Carmen" dis
played an abandon that was not in the
least vulgar. Antola's first solo, the
best he had to sing, failed of encore,
but that was no fault of his. for he
never phrased better in the lower reg
lister, and his middle and upper voice
needs no eulogistic mention. Lambar-
dis singing was true throughout the
range. as II always is and D'Ottavi
seemed to be in fine vocal fettle.
Lucia is announced for this even
ing, with Tromben, Scifoni, Cecotti,
Neri and Canetti among the principals.
serHE PRINCESS CHIC
Aida Hemmi sang q brace of songs
in 1.-The Princess Chic" which had its
opening at the American Theater last
evening, and the second act of the
comic opera was made charming by
the Hemmi vocalism. The first song
was in Italian, "Parla" by name, and it
showed excellent taste and ample voice
in the rendering. Then Hemmi stood
under the calcium light, holding a red
rose in her left hand, and sang as an
encore 1.-The Last Rose of Summer"
She speedily had the hearts of the au-
dience. and their applause followed so
thick and fast that she had to repeat
On any concert stage this song would
delicacy, deliberation and sentiment
that she displayed last evening.
The first nighters waited for the ap-
pearance of Maud Beatty. the new con-
tralto and she won strong applause
when she sang The Love Light in
Your Eyes," and gave the same melody
the second time. She did not create the
impression that she is possessed of a
voice of great power or of exceptional
quality She sang with taste and not
much power, and that about describes
her performance.
The funmaking that fell TO Webb,
Morgan, Bertrand and Kunkel was well
attended to. There is a song in the
second act in which Carrier shone
especially. In the last act an anvil
chorus is good, as an accompaniment
TO a song by Carrier. The ensemble
work was excellent and. as the music
is tuneful, a large chorus had justifi-
cation in the results attained.
The opera is well dressed and is
pleasing in this and in several other