San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
"Turandot" VIII Be Pro-
duced in America at
the Metropolitan Shan-
sky Bobs Up Again in
New York. ..:5
BY PIERRE V. r. KEY.

By PIERRE v. R. KEY.
New York. March Silt seems but
yesterday that Giacomo Puccini sat
in Manager Giulio Gatti-C asazza's box
midway in the Golden Horseshoe of
New York's Metropolitan Opera
House. at the world premiere of his
Girl of the Golden West. Caruso,
Emmy Destinn and Amato were of
that memorable cast, back in 1911. 1t
is not through this work "of Amer
ica's west" that the foremost of Italy's
living composers viii be remembered.
His music was criticised at the time
as having been made to order, show
ing none of the spontaneity and in
dividuality which characterize Bo-
heme, Madame Butterfly and Tosca.
We are reminded Of that occasion by
word just received by us from Puc-
chi himself. He sends message
that he is proceeding deliberately,
and with utmost care" in completing
his newest opera-Turandot.
The third and last act, only, re-
mains to be finished; but work on it
cannot be begun until the ,libretto
of this part Of the score is delivered
to the composer. Puccini has finish
ed the first two acts. The manu-
script is already in the hands of his
publishers. The Metropolitan will of
course produce Turandot in this
country.
Puccini is in a mellow mood. He
had some fine words for Arturo Tos-
canini, who has been having rather a
r. n SAu1a
The performances in that famous op-
era house have been financially dis
astrous, all season. The composer also
spoke of Nine. Jeritza in Tosca. He
considers the soprano a splendid art
iste. According to his viewpoint she
must have deserved the recognition
given her in New York.
Jack-in.the- Box Stransky.
Josef Stransky refuses TO remain
under cover. Like a human jack-in-
the-box he has bobbed to the surface
of New Yorks music waters, and
promises to be on hand next autumn
at the head of a new orchestra. 1t
is TO be a cooperative affair. as the
Philharmonic was in its early days
and until 1909. when financial back
ing was secured for it along with the
services of Gustav Mailer as conduc-
tor.
Just before he sailed for Europe. n
few days ago. Stransky assured us
that in consenting to conduct the six
teen New York performances by the
State Orchestra he has no desire to
Inconvenience the Philharmonic-Na
tional, with which he was so long as
ISOLATED. The fact nevertheless re-
mains that StranSky has n consider
able following amongst Philharmonic
subscribers. The question is: Will
he take enough patronage from that
orchestra to materially affect it?
The musicians who are to play in
the State Orchestra will assume what
ever financial burdens are necessary,
and share in the profits. if any. A
committee is to manage its affairs-if
the plans just announced are not
changed. Engagements for out of
town appearances are to be accepted,
and any foreign conductor coming
here looking for reputation can
engage the State Orchestra (at his
own expense) to prove how capable
he is.
Meanwhile, Stransky will spend the
spring and summer conducting in
Spain, Paris, Vienna, Buda Pesth,
and one or two other foreign music
centers. He is due here in late July,
to begin rehearsals of his newest or
chestral charge.
Misfortune and Opportunity.
The. adage about one persons mis-.
fortune being another's opportunity
came to pass recently when Anna
Case succumbed to influenza and
was prevented from filling her en-.
gagement TO sing with the Schola
Cantorum. While the lovely Anna
remained under the care of a physi-
clan another soprano, wholly unknown
TO the public, was making much of
her first real opportunity.
She is Dusolina Giannini and still
regarded by her teacher as n pupil.
Critical estimate of the unknown
should be encouraging to this new
conner. She was as cool as the pro-
verbal cucumber, not missing
cue or showing any signs Of being
flustered. For the Schola Cantorum
is one of the choosiest choral socie-
ties We have. Conductor Kurt
SCHNEIDER has drilled his sixty-odd
singers to n high degree of musical
excellence, and they prove it once
again on this occasion.
L'Africaine Revived.
Present day opera goers have had
few chances to hear and see Meyer
beers L'Africaine. 1t is of heroic
mould and requires a pretentious ar
ray of scenery, to say nothing Of ex-
ceptional singers, to make it even re-
specially interesting. Because of all
this the revival made last Wednesday
Mt the Metropolitan was a real af-
fair. Constituting the final novelty of
the current Metropolitan season. it
presented additional significance. The
"deeth-watch" sat through the per-
Torrance trifle disconnected. There
was SO much TO be commended that
the members of this historic body of
pessimists seemed almost down
hearted.