Arizona republican., 1913-12-07

played upon any stage big enough to permit it. When Conreid prepared to produce it in 1903 the whole of Europe set up howl about the American money grabbing methods which would stoon 10 the proclamation of such a work for money, to place such an inspired masterpiece on a commercial basis, when until that time it had been ac- red to Eayreuth and the pockets of Frau Cosima Wagner. In the height of the hubub Conreil made a proposi- ton to the associated Operatic man. agers of Germany, whereby he agreed to give up it's presentation in 1903 if they would in their turn agree to re- frain from producing 1t after 1913. In stantIv the hubub ceased and even at that early date these high principalled persons began preparing to make Par sifaI the biggest thing in 1914. Oh they are not at all commercial over there, one finds nothing but art for arts sake l if one cares to believe all they say; but we have yet to hear of European manager who overlooked an opportun- ity to pick up even five franc piece.
 Puccinis "Manon Lescaut' which Caruso. Lucrezia Bori and Scotti in the leading roles seems to have reached the apex of it's popularity. It was not es- pecialIy well received on it's first pre- sentation in New York some seasons ago. but has grown steadily in favor ever since. It is one of Puccini's eari- est operas and, to our mind at least, one of the most charming he has writ ten It was written before the days of new music and shows this composers wonderful gift of melody to perhaps better advantage than any he has since written Mme. Bori seems to make a most ac- ceptable Manon. if one may judge from the words of the critics both vocaIIy and histrionicaIIy and Caruso of course shows to great advantage as Des Grieux.
 one of the real wonders of the day is Antonio Scotti. one hesitates to re- call how many years this wonderful baritons has reigned supreme at the Metropolitan, Each season one feels that we must be prepared to say good bye to Scotti and vet, while he may have an off day now and again, he seems but to grow more mellow of voice and keener of intellect. If hund- reds flock to Pagliacci that they may hear Caruso sing "Vesti La Gieubba" 1t is equally certain that many other hundreds flock to it that they may hear "Scotti's Prologue and of course his Baron Scarpia in "Tosca" will live for ever as one of the greatest perform ances in operatic history
 "Hansel and GreteI" at the Century broke all the seasons records there. It has just been officially announced that the season there will last until May and at that time the interior of the opera house will be remodeIled so as to give an increased seating capacity Of 1400 Which would indicate that opera at popular prices has come to stay.
 Great film productions are becoming so common these days that 1t takes an especially wonderful film drama to call l. forth any particular notice from the press; but there has recently been record breaking film run at WaIlacks Theater in New york which has re- ceived more favorable press comment than any film which has vet come to our notice This is the photo play "Quo Nadis" which oniv recently left this famous old theatcr 10 make room for Cyril Maude the famous English actor
 A number of cuts of scenes from this drama are shown on this page and ar
 engagements are now being made to
 show these films in Phoenix probably at the Elks theater within the next two
 weeks Nothing that has vet been done
 by the movie people has received such
 universal commcndation at this and it
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