The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-15

Aida for so many years the mas
cot Of the old Tivoli-might well be
given the same place of mystic honor
with the International opera company
that opened its six weeks engagement
last evening at the Princess theater.
Exacting as il is. the company meas
ured up to its individual and ensemble
demands. Even to the messenger the
cast was exceptional. In justice to
every one. the conductor and stage
people included. il must be admitted
ungrudgingly that San Francisco has
seldom seen better production of this
opera. II the Tivoli. in the other days,
the days when this city was growing
into a class A grand opera town. could
have given such an opening perform
ance as that of last evening, there
would have been no worries about the
remainder Of the season.
Speaking of the Tivon. it was not
easy last evening to realize that an
entirely new management was pre-
senting the opera that marked the
opening OF the seasons that meant so
much 70 local musical people. Doc"
Leahy and q few of his coworkers
ought TO have been conspicuously about
TO have made the audience feel quite
at home.
AUDIENCE II TARDH
There were 200 or 300 people at least
who forgot that S-l5 is not $40 when a
grand opera is to be given, and. in
consequence. there was considerable
confusion in the audience during the
first scene. Surely no one would OBJ
5ect 10 the rule that would keep late
corners in the back of the theater until
the close of the scene
At concert no straggler would ex-
pect 70 be seated during a number.
Why should he receive special consid-
GRAFTON at an opera, and disconcert the
singers as well those who. jealous
OF every note, come early2 But even
this discourtesy was not fatal because
the fine stage setting. the compelling
voices and the fitting orchestration
could not be subordinated
SOMEWHAT At DISADVANTAGE
Fortunately for those who held Ber-
tossi in such loyal remembrance. she
makes her first appearance before the
opera is many minutes under way
Dainty, pretty and graceful as she is.
It was difficult TO be reconciled to the
makeup of the dusky slave girl After
seeing Bertossi one may feel quite con-
WINGED that there never can be a pretty
Aida
Thinking of her as one of the most
interesting young lyric sopranos ever
heard in San Francisco. she was some
what at a disadvantage in the role Of
Aida This does not mean that she
was disappointing for she was not
She can sing Aida, but dramatic intens-
fly steals the lyric Hit from any voice.
Every once in a while the tragedy Of
hopeless love and loneliness brought
back that exquisite quality that
marked ner voice as one in. a thou
sand. II was a privilege to hear Ber-
tossi sing Aida, for she does every
thing well, but surely there will be
many TO wish that the brilliancy Of
the dramatic roles will not lure her
away from lyric work.
A SLENDER AMNERIs
What a relief TO have a slender.
beautiful Amneris-there have been so
many fat ones in the former companies
Perhaps the role was waiting for an
American characterization. At any
rate Mile. Georgina Strauss, claimed by
Philadelphia, lives up to the idealiza-
ton Of the character. After the nat
ursI qualification Of having her good
70 look at comes the realization that
her voice is one of exceeding sweet
ness, as well as adequate volume. She
scored a genuine success. In the
splendid duet of the first act Nine.
Bertossis and Mile. Strauss voices
were agreeable foils for each other.
WELCOME FOR ARCAN0ELI
There was a royal welcome for