PATTI IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1396, 5 May 1884, Page 2

PATTI IN SAN FRANCISCO.

" Silver Pen " writes tlie Auckland Herald:— At last, after much speculation, the world - acknowledged diva, Adelina Patti, is in San Francisco. The excitement has been so intense that it is almost impossible to describe it : and yet I will essay. There was a good deal of doubt as to her coming, and in proportion to that the craze grew more and more intense day by day. The final decision of this more than princess to come and sing for £1000 a night to the people in the Far West caused a furore of joy among the lovers of music. The troupe arrived on Saturday last, and the Opera season was opened by Etelka Gerster, a prima donna scarcely inferior to Patti, only behind her there is neither a Marquis St Caux or a Nicolini. The great Opera House, newly decorated for this auspiciousoccasion, was crowded from end to end, the corridors — where nothing could be seen, only the voice heard — full also. The price^were £1, 16s, 1 2s, and 8a for standing room ; but ere she sang the excetement had became a panic ; people paid £4 for a place in the line, and th^n failed to get a seat ; others . pain £10 for a single seat, and had to stand. The day previous to the safe of tickets A CROWD Ok PEOPLE were seen at nightfall, armed with camp-stools, bottles of whisky, and lunch-baskets, who took their stand opposite the box-office. The line inceased, and verged off into another street, while several of these lines had drawn themselves out before morning, ! most of the men being the speculators ; ■but, so adverse ai*e the ways of the human race, that in the morning those who by standing all night, thought they were vight in front of the boxoffice, found themselves yards behind when day dawned. Even then there were scai'cely any tickets to be had, the plan being evidently to sell the ticket* by other means; so that when, after selling perhaps 100 tickets, the office was suddenly closed, the rage of the multitude knew no bounds. They say the managegejnent, being at an expense of £2400 per night, could do nothing else but sell outside, as the prices asked would have left them losers. It is a shameful proceeding, and ruinous to the character of Colonel Mapleson, who, however, cares for nothing but getting his money. Tickets are now selling for £10 a seat, and the boxes, announced for sale at £12, are sub rosa, bringing £60 each ; so that few but the rich have a chance to hear the singing bird. PATTI BEFORE THE AUDIKNCB I closed my gossip an hour before the Opera ; an now let me tell you of the great event. At four o'clock yesterday the crowd began to guthm* round, the Opera House, and, at sevwa

the carriages. began to muster in force. It was terrific. The ladies in fall dress ■were torn to pieces, and many had to go horaeiin consequence. Women were lifted through the crowd, and the mob surged with such vehement impetuosity that the ticket holders were pushed through without even presenting their tickpts. The police were there, in force, but no power could quell the excitement or prevent the rush. People holding tickets at an enormous cost •were compelled to go away, there being no room in the corridors, which are numerous. Nearly 3000 people were packed like sardines, in defiance of the Fire Ordinance Law, which only ■permits 2200 to enter the Opera House. The Chief of Police and "Colonel Mapleson, the manager, had a hot dispute, resulting in a threat to •call up the Colonel for breaking the law. Meanwhile the people strove for their seats, many finding that bogus tickets had been issued at enormous prices, the coupons not being the same number as the original. Thus many were left to stand coupons in hand. When at last the house was seated the effect was sublime. The " rank •and fashion," as the papers have it, where in force -the rich storekeepers and Jews having no rank at all, between you and me. Nevert|M|MS, with their velvet and diamondissßPmake a fine show before the footfiffßplSfo 1 ' c four tiers were crammed rufuTLnd as many thousands stood out in the rain, helpless and seatless. When Patti appeared, the audience rose, and the -wildest excitement prevailed. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs, &c, ■aud the shout went up like thunder. To describe the diva's singing is impossible. Imagine a bird trilling and -warbling in ecstasy, and you hear Patti, the divinest singer on earth to<ky. ' . " ■' ''■"". ...'"' ' ■ ' I

in the first act of the Opera (" Travi ata") was a mixture of pink and wlii.te 1 satin and Brussels lace, with a bine satin train, arid panels of seed pearls ■catching it to the underskirt. ' A diamond collar on her throat, also live rows of pearls, as big as cans, on her arms, four sapphire bracelets, two diamond ditto/ two emerald ditto, in all eight. A wide diamond belt round her waist (two rOjvs) 1 , and round the bodice were bunches ' of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. In her hair were seven diamond horse-shoe pina and three diamond arrows. In her -ears diamonds worth a king's ransom ; on her hands were diamond and ruby rings. . Her B«6ond dross was pink satin, and embossed velvet on the bodice ; seven turquoise/brooches, earrings, and finger rings to match. .Her third dress, white satin and velvet, with silver pompons, and the front a network of seed pearls, ; with* an entire drapery of .wliite camel ias over one side, the other, embrodiery in pearls, white, silk, and silver. Diamond ornaments, a diamond comb, and a jewel gift from every country where she has been. She was in fact, like a resplendent comet, so brilliant was the effect of her jewels.

Wtti's flowers.

The excitement was bewildering -when she sang. The house rose, the women" waved, and tearing off their dress adornments, cast them in a shower at her' feet. The air was heavy with bouquets. Then twelve men carried a flower piece, beiug a ladder of flowers with a globe at the top, and the American and Italian flags above— 'all in flowers.- Six men rem ved the 'ffojwers from' the stage, and for- several- of the pieces three men had to carry them off. It makes one almost breathless to think of it, and' indeed, a whole letter would hardlyjdo justice to the brilliancy of the affair last night. To-day the furore is little less. ' At five o'clock this morning the large multitude -again stormed the Opera "Hduse, and?faifing to get •sufficient seats, bVoke open the boxoffice, smashing' everything in it It is, in fact a reign of terror for the nonce. Patti signs once a week, tand at this rat© I think her manager will keep here as long as people will pay. As only 80*)0 have as yet heard her, I dare say she will be here some time.