The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-25

which are in all respects replicas of those 1 at the Metropolitan, including the most modern system of electric lighting effects specially brought with the company.
 Of MT. scotti, the man. the manager and the artist" it may be safely said that he has not been spoiled by sue cess and does not permit himself to be pampered by prosperity. A man of energy and action. he admires Amer ican methods and his several years of residence in this country. save when he has been fulfilling important en- agreements at the principal opera houses of Europe and the Royal opera. Covent Garden, London, have made him a veritable hustler Thus it is that he has entered upon the business of an operatie impresario with zeal and energy which many a younger man might envy.
 Not that Mir. Scotti is an elderly man. far from it. He is In the prime of his powers and abilities, and never has he sung or acted with greater effect than during the recent season of the Metro politan opera, where he appeared in a round of his leading roles to the undi- minished delight of his countless ad- mirers in New York A "Scotti night" at the Metropolitan is an unfailing draw for those who appreciate oper- atic singing and dramatic art in their highest and best forms
 Seen at the Metropolitan opera house. Mir, Scotti did not seem in the least oppressed by the weight of his managerial cares and responsibilities" said an interviewer recently in a well 1 known metropolitan newspaper, "but looked and spoke like a man of un- common energy and action. Usually | immediately dressed there is nothing of the dandy about him, but he is al- ways what the French would call bien soigne; well turned out, as the British say. Of cheerful disposition as well as active habit he finds/ re1axatio in | good game of bridge, which he plays with enthusiasm and finesse The best | of good fellows, there is no more popu-
 
 before or behind the curtain, and he ] carries the good will of all his asso- ciates as full fledged impresario"
 T was more than pleased with the | results of my first tour with my own company last year." MT. Scotti told the | interviewer in his dressing room, as he | was removing his striking makeup as the polished and unutterable Scarpia i You see" he continued, q was not quite sure whether there was a taste i for grand opera in some of the cities 1 which had included in my tour. though l I had received most encouraging assur- ances of support. But I found in each | and every city to which I took the | Scotti Grand Opera Company that we were eagerly anticipated and in many i cases the houses were sold out long in 1 advance, while the performances were received with a complete understanding | and an unstinted enthusiasm which ! were most gratifying. Indeed. many were keenly disappointed because ad- ditional performances were out of the question:"
 All the cities visited, without excep- tion. have asked for return visits, | while many others not included in my | tour have, urged me to bring my com pany. I can only do my best and those cities which have already given me such a warm welcome must have the first call. But am extending my au- tumn tour as much as possible, and shall visit several Pacific coast cities. as well as Canada"
 T have greatly augmented both my repertoire and my company" continued MT. Scotti Instead of three operas, am now giving eight, though, of course, not all of these can be given In each and every city visited. To Madame Butterfly Cavalleria Rusticana, and Loracolo, in which I play Chim- Fang. I have added 'Tosca,' in which of EI:x~ II