Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-16

final for the race which created all the
stir, and in which the American was ac-
cused of "fouling'' and the judges were
accused OF wrong decision, by the Ameri-
cans. There has been an unfortunate bit
of laundering and there is no
concealing the fact that the English and
tn Americans are not exactly crazy about
each other so to speak. I think, myself,
that there has not been so much tendency
to slight the Americans as there has been
an evident enthusiasm in OVERRIDING the
plaudits for anyone who defeated an
Americana! In the short race for champion
ship q forget just the length), the chap
from South Africa won beautifully, Ameri.
ca coming second. 1t was a clean, pretty
race, and when 1t was over the people sim
ply vert dellrioug over the victory having
been wrested from the United States. An
Englishman behind US said quite loudly:
"Ah, that makes the American sick" But
we were proud of our fellow-countrymen a
moment later. for as the winner passed the
section where the Americans in
full force, he, 0he South African). was
cheered and cheered by the Americans.
again and again and the rah rahs and
horn blowing were simply deafening. No
such applause was rendered the Americans
by the others.
The exhibition is very interesting. 1 have
heard, but a little of It did for US. because
after a person has spent every day for five
months at one as we did in 1898. at the
great 'Trans-mississippi" in Omaha, they
not not attract as OF yore.
Opera at COvent Garden
But the great feast to us was, OF course,
the Royal opera at Covent Garden. Here
the great stars were singing to audiences
dazzling with brilliancy, and charged with
enthusiasm. What an Inspiration to sing
to that house with its tiers Of boxes, its
balconies and smpitheater. before audi
ences which filled every seat available.
Four nights, while we were there, the
Queen and Princess Victoria, accompanied
by visiting notables, were present. The
close OF tho season was a brilliant one q
mean the London season, for the opera
season closed only last Friday, August b.,
owing to the various international attrac-
tions and almost everybody was still in
town up to the 18th. Even in the third
tier balcony stalls" or seats, where we
were fortunate to get tickets) evening
dress is demanded. The orchestra was
splendid and we had & chance to enjoy the
complete conducting OF Sig. C~ampanini,
especially so by contrast. He is a most
interesting and satisfactory ruler on the
orchestra throne and the musicians seem
to recognize his worth at it's fullest. The
chorus is better than any l have ever
heard in Italian opera. The voices are
fresh and vigorous. and withal elastic in
quality and shading. With the exception
of Madame Butterfly the stage pre-
sensations were fine. notably Faust and
'Tosea." Never shall l forget the church
scenes in either OF these operas. In the
latter is was the climax OF Eumptuousness.
The soloists were at their best. and never
have ] heard or seen Melba as she sang
and acted the part OF Desdemona in
'Otello." II was a veritable incarnation OF
the character, and while 1 have seen and
heard the great diva under most favorable
circumstances before, she eclipsed every
thing that l had witnessed. OF course,
Media cannot afford TO rest on her laurels.
for she has two strong rivals in Destinn
and Tetrazzlni, and she evidently is de-
termined to hold her own. In the perform
ance OF which l speak she had a splendid
support. for Zenatello was the tenor. and
he Is a ''cOrker.' His voice Is ringing
and quite open at times and it is tenor all