Music: Barber of San Francisco

A moonfaced Italian barber sat in the audience at the San Francisco Opera House one night last week, beaming as if there were nothing in the world which pleased him more than the comical antics in The Barber of Seville. He beamed at Tito Schipa as the love-smitten Count, at Ezio Pinza as the crafty music-master, at Louis D’Angelo as the doddering old doctor, at Richard Bonelli who flourished razor and brush with the ease of a professional. The little Italian barber had reason to be pleased that night. In the company of such experienced singers his 22-year-old daughter was making her début, not in a minor rôle, but as Rosina, the Barber’s sprightly heroine.

Josephine Tumminia proved to be the find of the San Francisco season. She was a slender graceful actress with a fine flair for comedy. She exhibited a natural coloratura voice so flexible and sure that critics forgave her the occasional tones which were metallic and edgy. Proud Father Salvatore Tumminia found that business picked up following his daughter’s success. Two days after her début Tenor Schipa climbed into Barber Tumminia’s chair, let him lather his face while pretty Daughter Josephine trilled in his ear.