The San Francisco call., 1909-02-07

Manhattan opera mousse NO St4@S.S-A
is made Of the artistic presentation
NJ the opera. but II was accompanied
bv "stage business" and costuming that
were altogether too shocking for even
a hardened New York audience, long
ago grown accustomed TO the most au-
dacfous and vulgar stage productions
But Mary Gardens performance echpses
ANYTHING ever before presented on
New York stage. 1t is not only sensa-
tfonauy immodest and immoral, but
repellent grotesQue, repulsiVe, nor
rible. When she kissed the CORY head
Of John women in the audience shud-
dered and the men turned away their
heads. disgusted. But that Hammer
stein viii draw crowded houses TO
-SaIome" none has the slightest doubt,
for morbid plays and operas seem al
ways to attract in New York.
There have been rumors afloat that
clergvmen may seek TO have the opera
en5oined by legal process provided Po-
lice Commissioner Bingham persists in
tolerating it. 1t IS said that his con-
tention is that he is without authority,
in the absence of specific complaint
and judicial decree; others there are
who hint that inasmuch as the police
commissioner has been several times
accused OF having an unjust prejudice
against the Hebrews, he does not dare
TO provoke a fresh controversy with
them by attacking Hammerstein, who
is supported by the theatrical produc-
ers' association. many of whom are
Hebrews. It is limited now that the
New York Press may seek to have the
opera enjoined. in retaliation upon
Hammerstein for seeking to have the
theatrical producers association with
draw their advertisements from the
Press.
The trial Of the two Press reporters
for assault on Hammerstein was begun
IN a magistrates court Friday, but
was continued. The presence Of the
police alone prevented renewed en-
counters when the impresario referred
10 the reporters as this thing and
that thing" But newsboy was
star witness and his testimony was
hugely enjoyed by the crowd assembled
10 see the fun.
De foist ting 1 see was Oscars bon
net come rollin' round de Knicker-
booker corner. 'Citeniy, dats Oscar
lid SEE ] to my chum, but where is
Oscarg Ne pal stalls at dis and sez,
OATS not Oscars bonnet Den / bets
him oscar must be around somewheres,
and 1 wins. for dere We sees Oscar but
ting into a Christmas tree and two guys
swattin' i'm right and left one at
time. An another guy pores somethin'
down Oscars neck ! got one Whit Of
it and hiked. 1 never stopped to catch
me wind. Nothin' like dat was ever
before uncorked in Times square"
one Of the interesting features Of the
trial was the appearance Of Attorney
Spellman. q law partner of d. Nj. Del
mas, who appeared for Hammerstein.
Mcintyre being considered too friendly
10 the press representatives. who have
given him rather the best of IT in re-
porting the Hains murder trial
Reginald de Koven, writing Of Cav
aneri's first appearance at Oscar Ham
lnerstein's Manhattan opera house, says;
Since and because OF the newspaper
sensation which has brought her a
prominence which her artistic status,
per sc. would hardly warrant. Nine.
Cavaheri was the center Of interest at
the Manhattan, where she appeared for
the first time as La Tosca in Puccinfs
opera of that name.
Allowing for the artistic limitations
IN her work, which can hardly be de-
MED, Cavalier gave on the whole
very capable and picturesque imperso-
nation OF the character, especially on
the dramatic side.
Although the admirable acoustic
properties OF the Manhattan could not
supply her lack Of medium register. it
did enhance the artistic value of her
high notes. Perhaps in the great scene
with Scarpia her gesture was a little
strained and oversinuous."
The early and strenuous efforts of a
determined "claoue" seemed super
fluous. as Nine. Cavalier was most cor
daily received by the audience from
the first, Mines. Tetrazzini and Labia in
stage boxes being among her most
active supporters.
A personality, however acquired,
whether by art or advertisement. seems
donna as q voice nowadays. but 1t GER
tsinly does impose on the public. Nine.
Cavalier dressed the part magniicently
and If a wealth Of glittering jewels
and sumptuous raiment were entirely
appropriate the Italian singers of that
day must have been indeed high sal
aried
The warmest and most compliment
ary telegram received by Lima Cava-
lieri on her debut as a regularly paid
member Of Hammerssein's forces was
from Mary Garden
Miss Garden. who is nothing less than
a generous artist. sent, in French, a
telegram TO the peerless Lima: "Je
VOus embrasse avec tout mon coeur"
familiar with the idiom of Moliere
and Balzac and what Miss Cavalieri
received was message that concluded
with I embarrass you and tout my
ear. Mary Garden.
Anent the difficulty Oscar Hammer
stein had in persuading Mary Garden
10 keep her engagement with him. and
sing "Salome," it is related that on
one occasion. when the czarowitch af-
terward Paul ], was at Berlin and Nine
Mara was to take the principal part
in an opera given especially in his hon
or. she pretended to be i'll and sent
word 20 the theater that she was unable
10 appear. The king informed her on
the morning Of the day fixed for the
performance that she had better get
well, for that well or i'll she would
have TO sing. Nevertheless. Nine. Mara
remained a her home and in bed. Two
hours before the time fixed for the COM
mencement Of the opera carriage
escorted by a few dragons. stopped at
the door and an officer entered her room
10 announce that he had orders from
his majesty 10 bring her, dead or alive.
10 the theater-
But you see I am in bed and can
not get up demonstrated the vocalist.
In that case I must take the bed.
too" was the reply.
1t was impossible not to obey. Bathed
in tears, she allowed herself to be taken
and sang with great brilliancy