New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Audience at Hippodrome
Goes Wild Over Newly
Discovered Diva
Call for Many Encores
Enthusiasm Breaks All Bonds
When She Responds With
"Home, Sweet Home"

Not within the memory of music
devotecs OF the present generation has
there been scene such as that enact
cd last night at the Hippodrome, dur
ing the concert given by Nine. Amelita
Galli-Curci, coloratura soprano OF the
Chicago Opera Company.
The ovation accorded TO the diva at
the conclusion Of each of the numbers
she rendered was reminiscent to vet
erans of grand opera, who recalled May
IL. 1861, the day upon which Adelina
Patti made her debut in Covent Gar
den. this city. Incidentally. while
PATHS first appearance was as Amlna
in Bellini's La Sonnambula," so
Galli-Curci chose an aria from that
opera as one of her selections last
night.
1t was in the shadow song from
"Dinorah" that the diva scored her
greatest success, and at the conclusion
of this song. which offered unlimited
possibilities for full display of her
ent of a demonstration that might al
most be termed frenzied.
Aroused by 'Home. Sweet Home
Holders of boxes and persons in the
parquet chairs Joined with the hun
drcds OF family circle occupants in
waving handkerchiefs. tossing pro-
approval. The ovation did not die out
until Galli-Curci responded with
"Home. Sweet Home as an encore, and
then there was bedlam.
Pierre Henrotte. concertmaster Of The
Chicago Opera Company's orchestra,
strobe to the directors pedestal and
called upon the musicians TO play the
march from "The Damnation Of Faust
This was after Nine. GalliCurci had re-
sponded to more than fifteen curtain
calls. The heavy brass instruments
utilized in the number were drowned
out completely by the roar of the audi
cnce, and hardly measure OF the
march reached the ears of patrons as
far back as the fifteenth row.
And so insstent was the audience that
lli-Curcl appear again that it stood
at it's chairs even after the musicians
had finished the march and had fled
from the stage. leaving their instru-
ments behind them. 1t was necessary
FOR the management Of the theatre to
draw the curtain in order to empty the
playhouse.
Never in Better Voice
CALI -Curci never has been III better
voice since her debut here three weeks
AGO. At that time she enjoyed an ova-
rion that spoke we'll for her future
But last nights reception was over
whclming compared TO it. The diva on
several occasions accompanied herself
1T the piano in giving encores. while at
rthers Arnaldo Cont. conductor OF the
company. accompanied her.
The numbers the opera star gave we're
the aria from LA Sonnambula,' the
hell song from "Lakme" and the shadow
song from "Dinorah." Of all the en-
cores "Home. Sweet Home" was re-
ecivcd with The greatest approval.
The singer could hardly speak when
she was seen behind the scenes after
her triumph last night Her husband
was with hcr and both were jubilant.
"Magnifcent' she finally exclaimed.
II am overwhelmed. When the people
Of New York were so kind to me on my
first appearance I believed had been
treated too kindly. Now, what can
aye Thank them for me. please. 1t
i wonderfully
Nine. Galii-Curci Will appear in New
York twice ;.gain this season at song
rccitals. bus her concert last night.
coming as it did just after the close
oe the Chicago company's season in
this city. WAS regarded by devotees OF
cncra as her farewell for the year.