San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
Puccini Working Carefully on
Completion ofMewest Opera

New York for seventeen years. Most
of our present-day opera goers are
aware that Meyerbeer wrote such
work and that IL is in the grandiose
manner. Revived with all the expert
attention which General Manager
GATH Casazza bestows on his more
elaborate productions there is a
feast for the eye-even though the
car at times becomes wearied with
musical pompousness.
Rosa Ponselle, Beniamino Glgli,
Giuseppe Danise, Leon Rothler.
Adamo Didur and Queena Mario had
the leading roles. We well remember
Caruso's Vasco dn Cana and that
of Jean de Reszke. before him. Also
Lillian Nordica, singing Selika and
bearing herself regally. But all that
was many years ago.
The luscious voice OF Miss Pom
selle was a treat to the hearing. This
young woman grows steadily in ser.
viceableness and artistry. And Gigli
sang his music with that appealing
ease of manner and authoritativeness
which has made him 80 welcome
amongst lovers Of truly exceptional
singing. Danise's robust baritone was
well suited to Nelusko's phrases and
the remaining members OF the cast
performed their parts with commend
able il not remarkable ability. The
Metropolitan's L'Africaine, is another
example. of all sided operate repre-
sentatiou. Offering SO much that
wins approval, the shortcomings fall
naturally by the wayside.
The InimitabIe de Pachmann.
A friend just back from London
tells a typical de Pachmann story.
Since the Polish Chopin specialist is
to be brought here next season, for
a tour, the incident has particular
pertinence. De Pachmann was play
ing a recital, recently, in London. He
had lust finished one composition. As
seems now to be his invariable GUS
tom, he turned to his auditors to
deliver monologue.
"You thought that was played
WE'LL" he declared. "You applauded.
That showed how little you really
know. I played it badly. Now I'll
play it again. When I've finished III
inform you whether | succeeded better
the second time than the first"
Whereupon de Pachmann replayed
the composition. There was silence
at the end. The roly-poly pianist
swung slowly on his seat and eyed
his assembIage. He is seventy-four
now. but still as amazingly energetic
as he is eccentric. "That was super
latively played" said de Pachmann
impressively. NOW you pay ap-
plaud." The amusing part Of it is
that the auditors obeyed.
Persistent Louis Eckstein.
II Louis Eckstein had been order
ed to form and operate an annual
summer season of first-rate opera
Ravinia Park never would have
known what it now knows. Neither
would Chicagoans have had the music
treat which has been their contin-
uously for number Of years. But
Mr.. Eckstein grasDed one day the
happy thought that it would be fun
TO go the Chicago Opera Association
one better-in the way of artistic
achievement. Within few months
he had launched his project, and ever
since, with the aid of few public
spirited fellow citizens, he has been
carrying on.
Mr.. Eckstein is spending much of
his time, these days, in New York.
This is the stamping ground of the
artists, so he comes here to look them
over and sign up those considered de-
sirable. In a few weeks his roster
of principals will be complete. Then
we shall read some illustrious names,
for Ravinia Park doesn't do operate
things by halves.
Copyright 1929. BY P Y. z Kew.