LUDICROUS OPERA SCENE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 124, 18 February 1908, Page 8

LUDICROUS OPERA SCENE.

; -The supremely ridiculous v. spectacle of . a .tenor' siumg grand opera-, whilej-a. policeman followed him up-and down;tho. stage jvas witnessed recently as the result of the growing rivalry between the great/American, impresarios. • j ■•' The Majestic . Theatre :- at ' was crowded with a / fashionable- audience; who •were enjoying intensely'thp performance of "II Trovat-oro" ■ by - tho ,San . Carlos Opera Company, when to tho-universal amazement, 'a policeman marched; across it-he, scene and •arrested' Signer- Carlo -Albani, : -,the tenor. ■Signor Albani protested, vigorously against being hauled off the'stage r in 1 >this ignominious manner at the behest, of Mr. Oscar'Hammorsteinj of the New York iiVlanhattan Opera House,' who' claims • thoVri'ght/ to his exclusive sorvices in*' America. - Alter imuch argument ,'the." constable' . consented/ -to ,V-allow Signor Albani to' .continue hisr. ; performance ''under 'proper- -surveillance. . 7Tho: /.manager,-. Mr. iiussell, then advanced/to the- footlights and -apologised' to .'.the.. audience;. explaining' that -the law of the State ; 'a policej-. :m'an.should not loao'sight of. ; his prisoner.' - Signor,Albani. .then burst) into/song; while the- officer of the'law^followed.,him-like :'a faithful watchdog, apparently- fearing that he. would fly iway. on'one 6f; his:'top notes* During , the. "anvil chorus" the - sparks interfered 'with tho" constable's /.vision,- and when/the gipsy mother'revealed her identity and Signor Albani niado': a jump towards • tho opposite side of the stage-tho policeman gave chase and nearly upse,t ; . -the;; :tripod and kettle..,-, .. . . . : .

, This audience, at first iridignantj'hissed the officer fiercely, but was finally overcome by tho absurdity .of the ;SoGne}and :gaTO jray to fits'of uncontrollable laughter,! Signor Albani; after, tho performance, was .released' on bail'provided,!;;bys;'Mr. Russell, but Mr."Hamroerstein;,claims his salary saying that lie liberated'.j'tho.singer .the other day from his contract on tho;tonor's plea that the Amorican climate...ydjgagr&sdv with->his ; health, and, that he furnished Signor Albani with a tickot t° Italy;,: • Instead- of-going to Italy, howcyor, Signor, Albani went to Boston, Mr. Hamnierstcin,; ;therefore, is suing him for £5000 for-', breach of contract. In view of the ridiculous: situation at Boston, opera-goers in New Vorbto-day'aro'ask-ing thomaelycs v what; .will,-; happen when Mme.\Tetraz7.ini makes her. -appearance at Mr. Hommerstoin's Manhattan.Opera Houso noxt month, for Mr.. Conried, of tho Metropolitan Opera House, disputes Mme. Tetrazzini's right to sing in r America except under his management., j .'- .;!. .