Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-24
Music and Musical Notes

9HE shining event for music lovers
this week viii be the production
by the Savage English Grand
T6cGNNl Opera company of Puccinis
eh42 Madame Butterfly" The opera
Is founded on John Luther Longs exquisite
little story Of the japanese girl. Cho Che
San, who is married for a little while to
"Meester B. r. Pinkerton," an officer in
the United States navy. PinkertOn comes
in his battleship to Japan, and with very
elastic moral perceptions buys Che Cho San
from the marriage broker. The first act is
wonderfully beautiful. The setting in it.
self is a joy; add to this the costumes and
the rich oriental music, and one has
scene that fills the aesthetic eye and
browns the ear with luscious sounds. But
terfiy's entrance, with the chorus, sound
ing from the hills. is heavy with sweet
ness and prophetic in its soulfulness Of
the way in which she is destined to love
her American husband and the heart
break that her love will bring her. She
isn't an ordinary little Japanese girl. Pin
kerton lives bitterly to repent making her
an episode in his thoughtless life. Their
scenes together in the first act and the
final duet, in which Che Che San gives her
self TO Pinkerton; throws herself on his
love, after giving up her gods and parting
from her relatives in anger are among
the most vital in modern grand opera lore.
Poor little Cho Cho San! She is so trust
full. She burns all her bridges behind her
and casts herself on one unworthy shadow
Of true affection.
Suzuki, how soon shall we be starting?"
Lazy and idle are the Gods of Japan!
Inc God my husband prays to will give an
answer far more quickly to those who
But am afraid He knows not that here
we are dwelling!
Pinkerton has sailed away, saying he will
return with the roses the warm and sunny
season. when the red-breasted robins are
busy nesting.
Rutterily's song in the second act, where
she treasures Suzuki, and evolves for her
self picture Of Pinkerton's return, what
he will say to her and how she will an
swer him, lie full of a haunting sweetness
and pathetic TO the last degree. Her faith
Is so great Three years have gone by
Her little child is running about. She feels
sure Plnkerton must come back. This spe-
cial night the feeling is so strong she or
ders Suzuki to pick every flower in the
garden and strew the rooms. The scene
between Che Che, San and Suzuki, the duet
Of the flowers. is most effective and ex-
quisite, When the rooms are fragrant
with blossoms. Now, come, Suzuki, make
me pretty Who knowsr Little Butterfly
is dressed in her wedding garment, little
scarlet poppy in her hair. Then to Suzuki
she says:
In the shoes Wen make three little holes
That We can look out,
And still as little mice Wen stay here
And watch till dawn.
There we leave them. The wonderful
strains Of the intermezzo and the hum
Of hn akn
hills, making haunting accompaniment 10
the desperate little tragedy.
In the third act, OF course, Pinkerton
comes back with his American wife. ana
Butterfly, after giving over her child and
seeing and hearing the truth, commits
hari-kari. To the end she IS sweet Her
last scenes are the most dramatic in the
opera, and give scope for some wonderful
acting and singing.
%
The music OF Butterfly is rich and char
acterisuc oriental 70 a certain degree.
The introduction Of THE Star spangled
Banner as a herald Of the lieutenant,
though clever, is a bit ciap-trappy Nor
do / like the child blindfolded on the floor.
while his mother is killing herself, 70 be
waving an American flag, II is symbolic,
but savors Of the gallery gods Pucclni
has not been familiar enough with our
American ways 10 perceive this rift.
-
The principals for the afternoon and
evening performances on Wednesday will
be; Matinee-Butterfiy. Miss Easton; Su-
zuki, Miss Houston; Pinkerton. Mr.. Sheean;
Sharpless. Mr.. Brownlow; Mr.. Feith viii
conduct, Evening performances Butterfly,
Aliss Vivienne; Suzuki. Miss Behnee; Pin
kerton. Mr., MaclennAn; sharpless, Mr.
Richards; Mr.. Rockwell will conduct
Mrs. W. W. Turner has engaged George
Hamlin for a song recital at the Schneider
a Mueller hall. The exact date has not yet
been decided Upon. Very likely it viii be
about the second week in April Arthur
Hartman viii play at the Schneider &
Mueller hall April 70. Mrs. Turner is to be
congratulated upon securing these great
artists. They both stand In the very front
rank OF the profession.
The concert given at Creighton auditor-
ium Thursday night was q distinct success
ertisucally and Melted a good sum for a
most worthy cause. Mrs. Crofoot had the
program In charge. She is well known as
a successful manager
AIr. LaAndOw's next recital will occur on
the evening Of March 20 at the warerOom
OF the Matthews Plano company. The pro
gram win Be devoted 70 Schubert Man