The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-27
VAN HOOSE SINGS
AT THEATRE TO-DAY
The Girl of the Golden West"
Comes Here by Special
Train.
GRAND OPERA IN ENGLISH
Giorgio Polacco, Who Studied
With Puccini, Tells Of
Great Production.

On Il special train of ten ears. Henry
W. Savaecs production of "'rhc Girl
of tho Golden Wcst." managers, con-
ductors, orchestra. singers and all, arr
rived in ltichmond yesterday afternoon
from Washington.
immediately upon its arrival, Fred
Meek. Mr.. SavaEe's business rcprcscn-
tatlve. went TO tho Academy OF Music
In order to assure himself that pro-
per provision had been made for the
accommoda ton Of the orchestra which
numbers fifty pieces. lie found that. in
accordance with the agreement made
with tho advance representatives, tho
first two rows OF seats had been re-
moved entirely and those in tho third
row had been turned up, leaving an
open space quito large enough for the
musicians. The production has its
own sounding board and portable
orchestra rail. SO that the house will
present the appearance OF an auditor
iuin With large orchestra pit, rather
than theatre specially prepared for
the presentation of grand opera
PoIncco Interviewed.
N'o' 80 I'oiacco, VINO studied and
directed the opera with Puccini himself
ana who was engaged by Mr.. Savage
as the general artistic director and
premier conductor of this presonta-
lion. grew enthusiastic in discussing
The Girl of the Golden West" win
a reporter for The Times Dispatch.
since Puccinl wrote Madame But
tcrfly,'" he said, there have been
many additions and improvements to
orchestral Instrumentation. and you
VIII find that the maestro has taken
advantage of every opportunity Of
fcrcd by the Increased scope or com
pass and tonal effects TO emphasize
and Intensity tho atmosphere with
which the drama is surrounded In
the short prelude, for example. there
arc several striking dissonanccs.
which, in their wildness and uncon-
Ventionality, go far toward preparing
tho musical mind for the stirring,
Nirile, picturesque drama which tho
opera unfolds. I have conducted many
operas, but SO interesting. So unusual
unsteady and so powerful dramati-
caliy is The Girl OF the Golden West
that intensely enjoy every perform
ance OF 1t, difficult as many OF it's pas.
sases are. II is essentially "A themutic
work; tho theme OF Johnson. tho road
agent. and tho waltz theme, both OF
which occur carly in tho opera. arc
readily recognized, as are many minor
motifs which arc heard time and
again.
Il do not conduct from memory, but
always have the score before me.
While know the opera thoroughly. [
think IL due TO the composer to read
from his score. In order TO avoid even
the appearance OF injecting ones self
into the composers work. In short. [
think 1t better form Just as your
ofatorio singers consider It proper to
hold their music in their hands. how
ever well they may know the work
that IS being sung"
Colleges Call for seats.
Manager Wise has received orders
;or seats from almost every section
OF the state. especially from schools
ana colleges Both the Woman's Col
l=se OF Richmond and the Virginia
Female institute, of Petersburg, have
engaged . large number for tho matt
res. and from many other institutions
81 learning have come orders for
tickets for one OF the two perform
eaces.
The cast for the afternoon and even
ing follows:
Matinee Minnie, The girl. Ivy Scott:
Johnson, the outlaw. Henri Barron
Rance, the sheriff. william Beck
Ho"kle. the squaw. Edmec dc Dreux,
Caesar sSodero conducting
Evening Mimic. Luisa vilan,:
Johnson. Ellison Van lIoose; Rance.
cari Gantvoort, "owklr. Edmec dc
DreuX. GtorGio Polacco conducting.
Both the management Of the house
and Of the opera have requested The
dispatch to announce that the
prelude, which Is very short. will be
gin promptly at 2:30 in the afternoon,
and at SEQ in the evening, and TO
urge that patrons be seated before tho
prelude begins.