The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-06
AMERICAN PREMIERE
OF L'AMICO FRITZ
Mascagni's Opera to Be Pre-
scented Here by Company Now
at the Princess
Music Play Has Met With Vari-
ETY. of Critical Opinion as
to Success
By WALTER ANTHONY

The first time that Puccinis ro
mantle opera, La Boheme." was ever
heard in America was when strolling
produced it in San Francisco about 10
years ago. Now lovers of Italian stage
song in this city are about to hear the
American premiere of another Italian
opera, 'L'Amico Fritz" by Pietro Mas
cagni San Franciscans will be the
first people on the North American con-
tinent to- hear this opera. which was
written by the maestro when the sue
cess of his 'Cavalleria Rusticana was
still ringing over the music world.
Mascagni, the first OF the four young
revolutionists of Italian opera, Leonca-
vallo Giordano and Puccini, who is, 1
think the greatest of all, is said to
have followed in 'L'Amico Fritz" fur
Their into the complexities of the Wag-
merriam emotive school than in his prize
winning music drama of Siciiian life.
A variety of critical opinion is by no
means in agreement as to his success.
1t is certain, however, that If Il AMIGO
Fritz" contains in the smallest meas
ure a degree of the melodic wealth
which makes "Cavalferia Rusticana' q
perennial delight the newer opera Will
be a delightful entertainment, and a
great house should be on hand to well
come this other of Mascagnfs works.
AWAITS SAN FRANCISCO VERDICT
Meantime, awaiting the hearing of
the music. a synopsis of the plot Is
worth while. However, let me say in
passing that Mascagni, remembering
the splendid reception rendered him in
this city, says:
Il will wait confidently the opinion
of the San Francisco public, whose cor
dial and enthusiastic reception five
years ago still lives in my heart with
grateful memory"
This is the story of the music play:
AMIGO Fritz is wealthy land
owner in Alsace who does not believe
in love and marriage. His friend,
Rabbi David, is irritated by the very
open assertions of the young man and
resolves to ensnare the heart of Fritz
in the tangle of woman's smiles. 1t
is Suzel, the beautiful daughter of
Fritz own farmer, who is selected by
the rabbi to induce Fritz to change his
mind. After having been welcomed by
SuzeI, who presents him with a bunch
of violets. Fritz, although enchanted
with the sweetness and beauty of the
girl, still SCOTS at the idea of love and
marriage. This makes the rabbi more
determined to give Fritz lesson, and
he arranges q bogus marriage between
Suzel and an unknown young man just
TO try the heart of Fritz, which grad
ually softens under the spell of the
sweet Suzel And when he is con-
WINGED that the rabbi is about to tie the
matrimonial knot he becomes furious
and reveals his love for Suzel, and the
| 10 r,-fa
of Fritz and Suzel.
THE VIOLET SONG
The first act opens in Fritz country
house, where the rabbi is inducing
Fritz to give a dowry to a couple OF
peasants who are about to get mar
ried. While this is going on Suzel ap
pears, bringing a bunch of violets to
Fritz and singing the Violet Song
Fritz is deeply moved, and his affection
grows when he hears the music of the
violin played from a distance by
Beppe a gypsy singer, who is popular
with the peasants in the district After
the violin solo Beppe enters and re-
lates some philanthropic work done
by Fritz in behalf or the poor of tn
neighborhood. When Suzel has retired
the rabbi. noticing that Fritz indiffer-
Ivence to love has not been shaken as
yet informs him, that he is going to
find good husband for Suzel, and in
the meantime utters severe words
against Fritz and all those who, like
him, prefer an adventurous and frivo-
lous life.
THE CHERRY DUO
The scene of the second act is laid
in an orchard of the farm where Suzel
is gathering flowers and cherries to
offer Fritz. Fritz arrives, and the
Cherry Duo" is sung by the couple
while the girl is throwing fruit to