TITE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY, MAY 3. 1003.
12
ABOUT PLAYS PLAYERS AND PLAYHOUSES
Mr. Richard ManslMd't latest visit to
Omaha gave another rong evidence of Ihe
many-sidedness of his genius. What II
more satisfactory, though. Is the evidence
of hi consideration for the public. This
Is shown In the ttally great production he
gives the old classic he Is presenting this
cason. Thla Is the fourth successive
great production Mr. Mansfield baa made.
After having given us "Cyrano de Ber
gerac." "Henry V," and "Beiucalre" In a
row, It would have been no more than fair
to a hardworking artist that be sho ild have
been allowed to take a season of rest. He
might have made bis tour with the lighter
plays In bit repertory and would fctve been
welcomed everywhere by the tame en
thusiastic audiences. But It Is not money
alone that Mr. Mansfield seeks; his art Is
all to him, and be says that to long as he
baa hit atrength and vigor J net so long I
will be give the people tbe best of his
ability. One only needs to contrast this
position wltb the practice tome of the
other stars follow to understand just what
Mansfield cares for the public. Other
etare take the road with light plays and
mall companies, and only too frequently
with what are known as "road companies,"
the sole object being to "get the money."
Not to with Mansfield; the company be pre
sented In Omaha Is the same he had In
New York; bis scenery, everything con
nected wltb tbe play. Is the same in ono
city as In another. Nor Is be satisfied with
people who can do the supporting parts
passably well; they must be the best he can
ecure, and capable of doing the parts right,
even to the most minor. Nothing Is too
good for the people who pay their money
to see Mansfield. And the fact is tco well
established to be overturned by aiVly tales
In sensational papers.
While presenting hit "Julius Caesar" to
the public, Mr. Mansfield Is planning to
give next year an even greater play so far
as scenic undertaking is concerned, and
with It a smaller play, but one In which
there it great acope for hit ability at
creator of parts. The first will be "Ivan,
the Terrible," Tolstoi's play based on in
cidents In the life of this Sixteenth century
ruler of Russia. The translation has been
made by Mme. de Melssner of Washington,
Russian woman of much culture and great
attainments, so that nothing of the essence
of the Tolstoi play has suffered through
being transmuted into English. Mme. de
Melssner has been of much assistance to
Mr. Mansfield In hla work of getting to
gether accessories for the play rn the way
of costumes, furniture, and the like. Her
connection with tbe piece will not cease
until It has been successfully presented.
During the time since she suggested th-
play tq Mr. Mansfield she hat visited Russia
at his request and gathered much material
for the production. The scenery ywlll be
fully at heavy as that or "Julius Caesar,"
contemplating exterior and Interior views
of the Kremlin and other Important struc
tures of Moacow, and similar settings. It
allows, too, of much color In the pictures.
The play has been successfully presented In
St. Petersburg, where It was very popular.
It Is on of the very few plays that deal
with Russlad history that the Russian gov
ernment ever allowed to be preaented. Ita
Incidents are those toward the close of the
reign of Ivan whose personality won for
him the surname of "Terrible." The main
character It one marked by ltt grim humor,
somewhat somber, but this subplot carries
lova story of sufficient Interest to throw
a little light Into what might otherwise be
a gloomy play.
The other play Is "Alt Heidelberg." a
German comedy-drama by Herr Meyrfoster.
It was played In tbe original In New York
last season and was quit popular among
the German residents of the metropolis.
The piece tells the story of a German
: prince, heir-apparent to the throne of tome
petty principality, who has spent hit life
as a tort of semi-recluse, devoting his time
to study. He finally goes to Heidelberg to
tske bis university course, and here Is
Introduced to a different tort of life. Tn
the gay Bohemia of German' student life
he plunges with tbe seal of a youngster,
and Is toon deep In an affair with a pretty
waitress. Just about the time this reaches
' its climax be Is called home to ascend the
throne of his father. The last act deals
with his return to Heidelberg after an ib
senca of two years. Th story has the
"heart Interest" and the romance, and the
part Mr. Mansfield will take Is said to com
bine the good points of both Prince Karl
and Monsieur Beaucalre, with none of the
little, things that made tbos characters
somewhat tiresome In spots. The play
offers much opportunity to the costumer snd
for th scenic artist m well, but better than
all It gives scope for what Is undoubtedly
Richard Mansfield's forts at an actor the
portrayal of the little tender touches, show,
log the consideration of th strong for the
weak. Tbos who have watched Mr. Mans
field durtug the development of hit career
as sn actor will recall how very naturally
this cropt out In all his parts, wherever
there Is an opportunity for It. It Is really
the keynote tc the character of the man
that Is, th man his friends and Intimates
know. Mr. Mansfield Is not a mixer; be
couldn't be if he wanted to, for nature
has unfitted him for Indiscriminate associa
tion with men. He Is proud and sensitive,
and. without being at all exclusive, he is
psrtlcular with whom he meets. He doesn't
want to bore people, and he doesn't like to
be bored. Some very unpleasant experi
ences of bis earlier life made a deep Im
pression on him and be avoids as far at
possible a repetition of them, either to
himself or to others. But to those he does
admit to companionship he Is genial and
unreserved, speaking hit mind freely and
not avoiding tbe result of frankness. He
la a close observer of men and events, and
keeps himself well informed on what It
going on In the world about him. Probably
no actor Is better posted on the business
and social affairs of the cities he visits than
la Richard Mansfield. He likes to take
walks about town; he has made many
around Omaha, and ltket to talk with thoae
he kaowt of the affairs of th cities he goes
to. He Is studious In this regard ss In
Other respects, and takes life very seriously.
Under the gentle tutelage of Mr. Lyman
B. Glover, who is bis present msnager
Mr. Mansfield has learned to take with a
more philosophical resignation the nasty
digs ths "yellow" press persists In dealing
him from time to time. Mr. Glover, him
self a aewspaper man of years and hlitb
atandlng, has convinced his chief that the
better way to do Is not to fly off the handle
but to Ignore what can b ignored, and flsht
back when necessary. To do this, Mr.
Glover Is ready to go Into court at toy
ttni tad make a legal test of the rights of
Mr. Mansfield at a cltiten. This was
quietly tipped off early la th season to
th editor of a tew of ths chlrtest offen
ders, and th result haa been marvelous.
Instead of th annual flood of scurrilous or
sensational stories about Mansfield, he has
had a season of almost entire aulet. the
only newspaper references to him being
th leeltlmate notice of his performance
' and such news mutter as nstursllv orlrin
atea with a company of his kind. The
few sporsrtle atlemntt to make him fliur
at tbe letdlns man In a vaUt-hestlnt
spited or a rhop-throwln Incident, have
failed tulserabtv. Mr. WnAld Is sot
avers nor Ineenaihle t frl'lelira rf hli
work aa an actor, but he d.vs resent st
tack on hit private character, and knows
- Bow how to defend himself.
iBcldtettlly, Omaha has risen much la
Mr. Mansfield's estimation, having been re
moved from the one-nlgbt to tbe tbree-
night cists, through the two-night grada
tion. Singular is it may teem, the re
ceipts for the second nlght't performance
of the recent engagement were greater
than those of ths first night, and this
desplt the fact that It only rained the
first nlgbt, while snow fell on the second.
Next year when Mr. Mansfield comes to
Omaha it will be for four performance
three nights and a matinee. Each of his
new pieces will be given twice. It Is a
little early, perhaps, to reserve seats, but
there is no resson to believe that the
house will not be sold out for all perform
ances. The death of Mr. Stuart Robson removes
one of the meet eminent of American come
dians. For many yeara he has been known
as a man or deiigntrul parts, a veniaote
fountain of Itnperturabl good humor on
the stage, and a most genial and desirable
companion off. He has been a great friend
of Omaha during a quarter of a. century,
and had many warm friends here, not to
speak of thousands of admirers, to whom
hit death came aa a personal loss. Mr.
Rnbson's last appearance In Omaha was
last fall, wben he played Dromlo of Syra
cuse in "The Comedy of Errors," and Bertie
th Lamb In "The Henrietta."
Stuart Robson was the Mage rame of
Henrv Robson Stuart. His parents In
tended that he ehojld be a Methodist min
ister. To them the stage was a synonym
of immorality and degradation. Stuart
Robson uad to say that when he began
his stage career his parents were so "hide
hound'' that thev considered sulphur
matches an invention of the devil. Stuart
Kobson believed that the stage was capable
of exerting greater good than the pulpit.
He nnce said to an audience in Chicago:
''You might as, well condemn the print
ing press because it sometimes strike off
bad nooks; or condemn the pulpit because
a minister or a deacon sometimes falls Into
evil ways. Pure, wholesome plays, and
players ot clean, moral lives are an great
a factor for good ns all the creeds and all
the churches. Forty years ago I was ban
ished frcm Delaware because I was a play
erfolk; nearly fifty years ago I was ar
rested in the University city of New Haven
because I could not pay a license of 120,
my night's receipts being but $15, and I
was kept In jail for two days, when the
late Noah Porter, president of Yale, who
was then beginning to see the light, made
up the 6 difference and I was released from
prison. All that Is changed now, and the
actor of repute Is no longer an object of
ridicule, scorn and even abhorence."
Robson made his first appearance on the
stage the evening of January 6, 1852. John
K. Owens, one of the greatest comedians of
his. time, was playing at the Baltimore
museum theaters were called museums
then In order to attract church people
and through John Sleeper Clarke, who was
playing a small part, Robson met Owens
and made his debut as an actor. The part
was that of. Horace Courtney, In tt piny
called "Uncle Tom's Cabin As It Is." The
part was a sentimental one, but Instead of
bringing tears Robson seemed to amuse
the audience Immensely. After that he gave
all his attention to low comedy work, play
ing In Washington and Baltimore. Then
he went to the Arch Street theater, Phila
delphia, the home of so many distinguished
players, presided over bv Mrs. John Drew.
After this two years of low comedy parts
lunuwea on ine roaa ana in Washington,
and tt Is recorded that in an Interval uhnn
nopson was out or an engagement he put
In several months as a printer and com
pORltor In the office of the Wnjihlnirtnn Htur
He was engaged for the season of 1866 as
second low comedian for a little theater in
Troy at a salary of $7 a week. In Phila
delphia Robson had become friendly with
the editor of the Item, Colonel Fitzgerald,
who, prior to Robson'a departure, told him
10 wnie a weeKiy letter on theatrical af
fairs in Troy, adding that Robson could
say anytning ne pleased about himself, pro.
vided it was In moderation. So Robson
commenced to review his own perform
ances, naturally putting in several good
words for himself. Toward the latter part
or in . season Mr. Burton, the greatest
comedian of th day, came to play an en
gagement with the Troy Stock company,
and artcr the performance Robson wrote
his criticism as usual. He praised Burton
warmly and concluded as follows:
"Brilliant as Mr. Burton's performance
was It did not succeed in eclliiain th vnrk
of several of the local favorites. Indeed all
the people of this town concede to the tal-
eniea young comedian, Btunrt Robson, su
perlorlty to Burton himself."
The notice appeared as written. Robson
believed the editor printed it as a Ink
The firm of Robson and Crane made Its
nrsi appearance In public tn Chicago Sep
tember 3. 1877. The play was "Forbidden
Fruit." It was a success.
Robson knew John Wilkes Booth and said
of him:
"John Wilkes Booth had a mania for tor
turing cats and other animals, even ut the
risk of his own life. In some ways John
Wilkes Booth was a very remarkable actor.
His voice was so beajtlful and his intensity
so great that when he became aroused cer
tain mispronunciations were not noticed.
His 'Richard III' was the most melo
dramatic, piece of acting I ever saw, and
he would arouse the audience to a pitch of
enthusiasm that, so far as my recollection
goes, has never been equaled.
Stuart Robson s home as a bov was
Thomasvllle, (Ja., a small town, now a win
ter resort. Whenever he was tn the state
he would play there, sometimes several
nights, although the theater-going public
was not numerous enough to fill the hous
for a single performance.
Stuart Robson was born in IMS In Ann.
spoils, Md. He was married to May Wal
dion, leading woman of hit company in ISM.
Alio uavu unci uiuiu, a Doy.
rosilsg Event.
This afternoon th Ferrlt Stock company
will open at the Boyd for an Indefinite en
gagement. The opening bill will be Walker
Whiteside's romantic drama "Heart and
Sword." Mr. Ferris intends conducting hit
company on' tbe same lines as tbos fol
lowed In tbe two seatont patt at the Boyd.
Two playt will be given each week. On
play will be opened Sunday matinee and
run until Wednesday night and the other
will b opened 'Thursday nlghtt. For the
latter half of thla week Mr. Ferris has
selected Jje Null's "The Young Wlfo." Mr.
Ferrlt will enact the leading role in all
hla playt and personally superintend their
production. Miss Grace Hayward will not
b the company's leading woman this tea
ton. With the exception of Robert Biay
lock not any of the people who wer with
the company last season are members ot
this season's company. Tbe greater part
ot ths people are from tbe east. James
Wilson, a scenic artist from Chicago, has
been secured by Mr. Ferris. Every play
will b given complete scenl environ
ment. Th company it mad up of the
following: Marie Pavey, lata of the Wash
ington, D. C, Stock company, is the lead
ing woman and Mr. Dell Henderson, for
merly a member of the company Mrs. Os
borne had at her New York theater, is the
leading man. The comedian ot th com
pany Is John Mylle, late of th Brooklyn
Stock company and the character woman
Is Miss Haiti CarmonteKe, well known tn
vaudeville. Others of the company are:
Robert Blaylock, Hugh Mackie, Scott Sid
dons, George Winters, James White, Ed
ward Rogers, Emily Batlo, Dolly Davis,
Mist Bernl Henderson aud Miss Rtnkln.
The tame very low prices ot admission
charged last teason will be In vogue thl
season.
The last lUt of vaudeville diversions at
the Orpheum this season will open with
a matinee today and continue tor th en
suing week, and when th curtain rings
down on Saturday nlgbt next to mark an
other era in th career of th coxy and
popular playhouse, th indicator will show
that It was th inost successful aver ex
perienced. To glv it a fitting climax tb
management deems advisable and bss laid
stress on th makup ot the last bill, the
txcellenc ot which may b Judged to an
xtent by th presence on the poster ot
several strongly established American head
line features ot th popular kind, la ad
dition to which leading th list Is th
noted equestrian. Franklin Mllly Capell,
her famous thoroughbred Arabian steed
and trained hounds. Tbls Is said to be th
most axpenslv and successful of ths sea
son's European Importation and tu ad
dUUo to showing th pgaalbiltiUt pt aul-
ma!' training disclose some fine living pic
tures. ElUabeth Murray, the story teller
and singer, will be recalled as one of the
principle features of tbe Orpheura Road
Ehow last sesson. The Beaux and Belles
octette returns with new songs, new
dances, new costumes snd some new faces.
Tbe new embellishment has been given
under the same composer, Mr. H. T. Mc
Connell, who struck the happy Idea last
season of this neat and refined net. One
of tbe numbers done by tbe octette tbls
season Is a descriptive International tong
In which la described In verso and song
how the octette visited Germany, France,
Japan and Spain. They are also singing
a very popular new coon tong called
"Waltln for you, Ma Honey." Among the
initial bidders will be Zelma Rawlston,
character Impersonator and singer. "An
Idyl of the Links," a new comedy sketch
ill be tbe vehicle for Oardner and Vin
cent. Another musical feature will be
contributed by Ester Fee, the distinguished
violin virtuoso and timely motion pictures
projected by the klnodrome complete th
projram.
Gnsalp from Staacetand',
K. II. Sothern goes on the road again this
week with "If I Were King." His tour In
cludes thirty cities and terminates on the
i'acinc coast.
Frank Thompson nnd "ikit" D'jndv
opened their Coney Island Midway yester
day, iney nave tne grouni w.irn or tne
greatest show New York ever knew.
Maxine Elliott will leave ber husband.
N. C. Ooodwin, Jr., at Cleveland on May
11 and return to New York, where she will
begin active preparations for her tour aa a
star next season. She will have a p ay
called "Her Own Way." Mr. Goodwin will
continue in "The Altar of Friendship"
until he reaches Seattle, where his tour
closes July 9.
Channlng Pollock Is the gentleman who
Is to make the dramatization for William
A. Brady of "The Pit." in which Wilton
Lackaye will star next season. A good
deal of money la to be spent on tbe ma
terial presentation of the play, and Mr.
Brady will return from Europe early bo as
to stage it ntmeell.
J. H. Stoddart Is booked for an early ap
pearance in "Btslde the Bonnie Brier Bush"
in naiirax, in. ., and recalls mas it win
be his first appearance there since l!56.
when he was the vounitest member of a
traveling company that included In Its list
such well known players of tbe time as the
elder Sothern. J. T. Raymond and others.
Alfred Austin's pluy for Beerbohm Tree,
"Flodden Field." will be produced on June
1 at His Majesty's theater In London. The
piece Is In blank verse and is in a prologue
and three acts. The chief male parts are
King James IV of Scotland and the earl of
Surrey, and the latter Is probably the role
that will be selected by Mr. Tree. Mr. Aus
tin has written several plays. Including one
on the them of "Savonarola," for Sir
Henry Irving.
It Is not at all Improbable that Slgnora
Eleonora Duse will visit the United States
again next season, and under Liebler &
Co.'s management. While George C. Tyler
Is In Europe this summer he will visit Mme.
Duse in Florence and perfect arrangements,
frovided they can agree upon conditions,
f she returns, she will appear in a dif
ferent repertoire than on her last visit, one
that wiii include the Balnllle play, "Resur
rection," and such of her old successes as
will probably make the strongest appeal to
an American audience.
Rehearsals were begun last week for the
Liebler & Co. production of "Romeo
and Juliet." In order that this might be
accomplished the road tours or both "Au
drev" and '1A Gentleman or France were
brought to a sudden clone, and Miss Eleanor
Robson and Kyrle Bellew hurriedly mads
their way to New York. The opening will
take place In Albany, N. Y., on the evening
or April 27 and then the tour will include
the rollowlng cities in mis oraer: wuca,
Syracuse, Detroit, Toledo, Columbus, Mil
waukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati,
Lexington, Louisville. Chicago, Cleveland,
Pittsburg. Washington, Baltimore. Philadel
phia, New York New Haven, Hartford,
Providence and Boston.
It Is reported that one of the objects of
Mr. Henry W. Savage's present trips to
Europe 1 to have a conference with Frau
Wagner regarding the great composer'
"Parsifal," the one remaining work by the
master of the tone drama that has never
been presented on this side. Frau Wagner
has ever adhered to her policy of retaining
this as the special feature of the annual
festivals at Bayreutrv but It is not impossi
ble that -Mr. Savage fnay think Of an in
ducement that will secure the permission
to produce "Parsifal" by his Castle Square
Opera company next season, Should the
dauntless impresario return with contracts
both for "Parsirai" ana ruccinrs maaam
Butterfly" it will do more to make his
famous English singing organisation a true
rival or the Metropolitan Opera company
than anything else he could possibly do.
Some idea of the sis of the new Drury
Lane theater In New York can be had from
tits fact that the two proscenium trus-es
arc eighty feet long and weight thirty tons
each. So ponderous are they that Oscar
Hammerstein can find no truckman to
move them from a pier at West Twenty
seventh street to the theater in Thirty-tourt-
street, west or Eighth avenue. They
hnv hvpn there three weeks, and mean
while work on the stage part of the theater
lo celayed. Truckmen say that twelve
norsee would be required to haul one of the
beiims. and that they could not make Vhe
turn oft the pier without getting stuck or
brta'.ing the strongest true built. This
cliUiculty may be avoided by putting them
on float and moving them down to the
Thirty-fourth street pier to make a straight
hull to the rear of the theater.
Henry W Savage has now more chorus
f;'.rls on his' payrolls than any other Amer
can manager. This Impresario's methods
are different from any other. In addition
to the actively employed singers l his
seven big companies he has three reserve
schools located in Chicago, Boston and New
York from which he can quickly refill any
vacancy In his several companies, as well
hava a sunnlv for new companies In
process of organization. The total number
now In Mr. Savage's employ Is said to reach
615. These are divided as folljw.-': Caa.le
Square Opera company, u; uunan ot
Sulu" company, 75; tha two "King Dodo"
companies, 120; "Prince of Pllsen" com
pany, 76; "The Lieutenant Commanoer"
company, W; "Peggy trom aru company,
SO; total, 4m ine remaining i-o are in re
serve schools, forty being In Chicago, fifty
In Boston and thirty-five In rancrve in New
York. In each city there Is a chorus mas
ter employed to do nothing else except
train cnorus gins, tvery monin ins danc
ing master visits each city and gives the
young applicants Instruction in dan"ln.
One of the principal tong hits In "The
Sultan of Sulu." which continues to gain
fame and financial favor in New York, is
the "R-e-m-o-r-s-e" verse recited by Mou
lan. containing that expressive line con
cerning "the cold gray dawn of the morning
after. On one of George Ade's frequent
banquet tours to the eastern tidewater ne
admitted publicly tnat ne nai tried in vain
to compose an additional verse for the song!
and was disappointed thereat. Whereupon I
a correspondent of the Tribune came
bravely to the front with a contribution. 1
It was written, ne fraia. Dy a newspaper
man in a basement estuDiisnmeni m r
the Park Row building now stands, ana,
like "The Old Oaken Bucket, was com
posed from a full heart. He further de
clared that he has been waiting for four
teen vears for tne proper opportunity to
offer it to the public. It runa as follows:
R. E. Moras and Old Con irltion!
D them both! and d their mission
On this eartn. to mane men suner ror
their brief, sporadic Joys!
Making smiling faces tearful.
Making life and ueatn oom rearrui.
D them both! I wonder what these
duffers did when they were boys?"
Contracts nav been ilgned for ihe pro
duction on May 25 of a new comic opera,
"The Wood Itch, composed py Aioert
Mlldenbersr. ilbrttto by Wlilard Ho'co-nb.
with Helena Fredvrlrlc. lat prima donna
of "The Emerald isle," In the title role.
Mr. Mildenberg lias heretofore been known
as a concert pianist, having been a pet
pupil of Rafael Joiuffy, and as a compoiar
Of songs which have found great favor in
concerts as well as In ope ras in which they
have been Interpolated, tie has also fia
urwri aa musical director, and his chore1 an!
orchestral arrangements nav been much
In dvmana. lis. lias composed and pro
duced several one-act operas, but this is
his first essay to combine nis experiences
in all theite varied tields in the induction
of a three-act piece. HU collaborator, Wl -
ldrd iiolcomu, H best Known for h.i met
rical ver-lon of "Urlngolre," must'' by
Julian Ldwards, which was succes'tully
produced in London last spring: aid his
comedietta. "Her Last Reharil," which
ha been played for five sea-ons. Re
cently Mr. Hulcomb has turned his atten
tion to libretto writing, and has adap 'd
two operas from the Hungarian, which thi
Wttmarka have placed for production next
seon. Boh com.noser ani librettist of
Ths Wood Wl'ch" rf Am rl 'ans ad
natives of New York. Mr. Mtldinberg hav
ing been born and bred In Brooklyn, will's
Mr. Holcomb halls from "old fcroorre."
although h spent seven yearn a muMcal
and dramatic editor or the Washington
Pout.
iLSTact ot UasspacBS.
A lot of typvwrltten matter was stored
In a sllaht'y damp vault t ir six months. On
removal th paiwr and all-ink urn natures
were tn tha best of condition, but all trac
of typewriting haa disappeared.
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS
The Msy Festival!
That Is the topic of tbe hour!
Beside It, even the choice of the people,
at to wbo thall be the mayor of Omaha
for the next year, or two. or three, pale
Into Insignificance, with the musical peo
ple at leatt.
Two quettlons ar generally asked.
"Who are you going to vote for?" and
"Have you secured your season ticket tor
the May festival?"
The May festival, under the musical di
rectorship of Thomas J. Kelly, and under
the sagacious and always successful busi
ness direction and personal management
of the Knlghtt of Ak-Sar-Ben, opens on
Thursday night of this week.
The board of governors Is for Omaha, ot
Omaha, and in Omaha. They are working
for the success of the city from every
standpoint, and that they hava lent their
powerful assistance to this undertaking
la a sincere proof that they believe In
tbe fact that to make a city a suitable
place to dwell In, invest In, and iwear by,
there must not be forgotten those Influences
which go to build up the refining and en
nobling and educative spirit of the citizens.
They have bad the street falra with their
Jollity and careless gaiety. But that, of
Itself, does not build up any permanent
good. Tho May festival scheme does. Tea
yeart from now thit year't festival will
be quoted and dwelt upon in memory with
gratitude.
Ak-Sar-Ben It not one-tided! Ak-Sar-Ben
wantt a greater Omaha in every way!
Ak-Sar-Ben sees the necessity for pro
viding the best of music and art! Ak-Sar-Ben
has many faithful subjects who love
the refining and elevating things of life.
It Is now time for those who have been
wishing and hoping and longing for these
things to step up and buy the remaining
season tickets ere it !s too late.
Now, at an interested person, I may
be permitted, perhaps, to state that tho
Nordlca-De Reszke concert is not the May
festival. It it a part of it.
It hat been whispered that the concert
given by the New York orchestra and
these two artists is the "Bhow," as It were.
Now, at a matter of fact, that part of the
festival was an afterthought.
The real active part ot the festival and
that which- has been developing tha musi
cal tendencies of the city it the May Fes
tival choir, which haa been In constant
rehearsal for eight months preparing com
plete works which will be given at the
festival.
When 1R0 singers ar willing to go
through all this is It fair to them to pass
over, even In thought, thst part ot the
May festival which will be theirs? No.
when we consider the evening! of Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday (especially th
first and last of these) and the Sunday
afternoon, tho local forces being assisted
by four of tbe leading soloists of this
country, In their respective lines, and the
fine Chicago Symphony orchestra, under
Mr. Rosenbecker's personal direction, it It
not too much to say that thla series alone,
without Nordlca or De Reszke would be
worth the price of the -season ticket.
Herein it a chance to "Btand up. for
Omaha."
Will YOU "stand up?"
Before going further with this article, I
must make mention of two people wbo have
done much to help the enterprise musically.
One It Mrt. Andrews, who, at accom
panist, for the very trying rehearsals, hat
been faithful, loyal, devoted . and en
thusiastic. Many times, when she was not
physically equal to her task, having worked
hard all day at studio work, she has taken
her place at the piano, and In tbe most
helpful, artistic, musicianly manner, played
the accompaniments, difficult and ambiguous,
wltb the skill of the artist and the good
nature ot an angel, under th directions of
a very exacting conductor. To her I ex
tend my most hearty tbankt. Mrt. An
drews will play for tbe Festival Choir on
Friday night.
The other person referred to Is the genial
and popular secretary of the May Festival
Choir, Mr. Alfred Martchner, wbo baa been
an Indispensable aid. His efficient work
in originating and perfecting tbe system of
membership record, hit attention to thote
thousand and on details which go to make
up a performance or a rehearsal, hat been
a constant source of pleasure to choir and
conductor, and much ot the smoothness
with which things were run is due to htm.
Another valuable assistant has been Mr.
Slgmund Lansberg, the well known pianist,
who has stolen hours away from hit very
busy life to ting with the tenors on each
rehearsal night and to assist the conductor
by assuming th baton and taking charge
of parts of many rehearsals at a moment's
notice with grace and force.
Now, at to the works. The programs
which follow will show fully the kind of
offering the patront will receive. They are
culled from the best fields of muslc-lttera-ture:
"Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," which will
be sung opening night. Is a cantata, for
chorus, orchestra and tenor tolo, and the
words are taken from tbe famous poem of
Longfellow. The author of tha music, Mr
8. Coleridge-Taylor, is a negro, from Blerr:
Leone, and a giant amongst modern music
composers. He has set London aflame
with his works. His music tor Hiawatha
Is distinctly Indian and very wonderful.
The "Swan and Skylark," which will be
given on Saturday night. May 9. comes from
tbe pen of pent of Shelley, Keatt and Mrt.
Hemans. Th music is by that rar
,,. , -,..i , K.
ffenlua, Arthur Goring Thomas, and the
orcueeirauuu im ujr uu i m"ti imo
tha eminent Englishman, C. Vllllers Stan
ford, wbo it really, I am told, by birth and
at heart, an Irishman.
Thla eantata It written for chorus, or
chestra and four soloists.
It Is built on the old legend of the swan
tinging ltt tong just before death, and the
coqtrast .between the "Swan" music, and
that of tbe "Skylark it loteusely Interest
ing. Thi basso takes tba part ot a Grecian
poet and a philosopher, tha contralto the
part of a narrator, at It were, tbe tenor
the part ot the "swan," and the soprano
the part ot the "skylark." Lire and
death, or rather death and life, winter and
spring, minor and major, these are theraec
ot the work, wblch has entranced thousand!
upon thousands of music lovers, and which
will be given to the Omaha public on Satur
day night. May 9. Thla work Is a posthum
ous opus of the composer.
The "Stabat Mater," which will be given
on 8unday afternoon, la so well known that
description la unnecessary, save to tay that
the old Latin hymn, which will be'tung In
the original tongue by chorus and soloists
It a homily upon the crucifixion of Jesus.
The most religious of persons need nor
be offended in the slightest way by the
Sunday concert. . at the program will be
dietlnctly sacred, not after the manner o
the average "sacred concert." but really
ot a religious nature and aa an act of
homage to Him from whom all music and
musical festivals and singers and playerr
receive their glfta tnd tbetr Inspiration.
One fratura of this program will be the
singing, a capslla, of tbe famous hvmn of
Cardinal Newman, "Lad. Klnllv Light."
(music by Dr. Dykes), by the full May Fes
tival Choir, under tbe baton of their regu
lar conductor.
Following are the programs for tbe en
tire festival:
THfRSDAY EVENING. MAY "
May Festival choir, Thuinaa 4. Kelly,
AMI F.WK.T.
Single Admission Tickets
:FOR
lay Musical Festival
Will be on 8ale MONDAY, MAY 4, at
II. J. PEIIFOLD & G0.'SI400 FARNAM
Single Admission for
evenings May Kfln
7, 8 and 9 . . . JUU
Reserved Seats 50c Extra
Single Admission for QO (1(1
May 15, on sale May 11 $ZiUU
Reserved Seats $1.00 Extra
ReservedSeason Tickets
For Six Concerts ....
May 7, 8 and 9
and natlnees nay 9 and 10
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHES
TRA and the CHICAGO QUARTET.
MAY FESTIVAL CHOIR-CHORUS
of 150 Voices, under Direction
of T. J. KELLY.
conductor. Chicago Symphony orchestra,
Anolph Rospnbecker, conductor.
Rnlnlats Mr. Oenrae Hamlin, tenor: Mr.
W. C. K. Beeboeck, pianist; Mr. Jan Van
Cordt, violinist.
PART I.
Overture Dl Ballo i... Sullivan
Concerto (tor violin) .vieuxiemps
Mr. van corat.
Prite 8ong (Die Melsterslnger) Wagner
Mr. llamlln.
Concerto (Two movements) ........ Seeboeck
Mr. tseeuotcK.
Irish Rhapsody. No. 1 C V. Btanford
PART II.
Hlawatha'a Wedding Feast A cantata..
8.- Coleridge- Taylor
May Festival choir, Chicago Symphony
orchestra, and Mr. George Hamlin, tenor.
FRIDAY EVENING, May 8.
Bymphonv concert, Chicago Symphony
orchestra, Adolph Rosenbecker, conductor;
May Festival choir, Thomas J. Kelly, con
ductor. ' .
Soloists Mrs. Genevieve tJiarii vnmun,
soprano; Mrt. Sue Harrington Furbeck,
contralto; Mr. Arthur Beresfcjrd. baritone.
Overture Merry Wives of Windsor......
, .-. Nlcolal
Arla-Ah.'My Heart is Weary............
Goring- Thomas
Mrs. Furbeck.
Symphony The ' Scandinavian '(two
movements) Cowen
Allegro Moderate
Scherso Molto Vivace. ' Y
Chorut The Two Cupids BaUon
May Festival Choir.
Aria Why Do the Nations Rage (Met-
aiah) Handel
Mr. Beresford.
Bymphony-The IrUh (two nJovvmg,t,Ijora
Srherto, , .
' Finale. .
Arla-Av Maria Max Bruch
Mrs. Wilson.
Chorua Parting Kiss Plnsutl
Mav Festival Choir.
Scottish Rhapsody, No. 1 Mackenzie
SATURDAY AFTERNOON. May .
Popular concert. Chicago Symphony or
chestra. Adolph Rosenbecker conductor.
Sololstt-Mra. Su Harrington Furbeck.
contralto: Mr. Arthur Beresford baritone,
M w. C. E. Seeboeck, pianist; Mr. Franx
Wagner, 'cellist. ,
Overture Pmspero .
Cello Solo Polonaise Popper
Mr. Wagner.
Movement from London Day by Py;,
Arla-l'nf el'lco' ' ! j I ! 1 1 : ! " '. '. '. '. '. Verdi
Mr. Beresford.
Fantasle-Martha - fJtow
(a) Rainbow, from Music of N"steus'b,(;eck
(b) Butterfiv '
tc) Bv the Frog Pond
(d) March Winds
Mr. peeuurtR.
Roses from the Smith
Aria Habanera (Carmen)......
Mrs. Furbeck.
Overture-William Tell
.Strauss
....Blaet
, .Rossini
SATrDAY EVENING. MAY 9.
SololstiMrs. Genevieve Clark Wilson. o-nrano-
Mrs. Si'e Harrington Furbeck. con
tralto; Mrs. Oeorire Hamlin, tenor: Mr.
Arthur Beresford. baritone.
PART I.
Ov.rtt.re-Land of the Mountain anrt h
FIM Harnlsh Mj eCijn
fa) vtcwe In G-rrten. ............ ... ..ONelll
tb) Drink to Ma Only with Th,I(H"'B-,'Bh
(c) Tho Year s the BnHng...
Mr. Hamlin.
ta) The Robin
ih Blnu Helah H
..... Beach
MacDowell
...Henschel
Mrs. Wilson.
Movement from Gypsy Suite
Edward German
n.iartV RVgoie't to v"dl
Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kurtieca. jur. iiunuin
and Mr nrinro.
PART II.
The Swan and Skylark-A musical
dramatic ifteni unnni
May Festival Choir.
Chicago Svmnhonv Orchestra.
Mrs. Wilson, oprsno; Mrs. Furoem, con
tralto, Mr. Msmun. lenur; mi.
Beresford, baritone.
gWDAY AFTERNOON,-MAY 10.
Mv Festival Choir. Thomas J. Kellv. con
ductor; Chlcaan Symnhnny Orchestra,
A"o'nn Rosenbei'Ker. ennaucmr.
Bololsts Mrs. uenevieve t,iara n,
soprano; Mrs. 8jb Hnrrlnirtiin KurbecR,
contralto; Mr. Oeorie Hamlin, tenor; Mr.
Arthur nrnford baritone.
Trm fltabat Mater Roselnl
Part I to be announced later.
FRIDAY EVENING. MAY IS.
Metronolltan Ooera House Orchestra. J.
If. Puss, conductor; Nahan tranKo, con
cert master.
So'olsti" Mndam Nordlca and Eilomrj
Km Reszke. Mr. Romayne Simmons ut the
Plato. . .,
M-v Festival Choir, Thomas J. Kelly.
conductor.
r-A n r j.
Overture William Tell Rossini
Aria from La .'-Ive l la r1eur)....llalevy
M. De Resnke.
Two Movements from Bymphnnle Pa-
thetln,ie irrniiHOTM
(?i Allegro Con Orasla.
(1 Finale, AdHsio Lmentno.
ArH from Tanhausser Dlch thnre
Halle Wagner
Madam Nordlca.
Dane Suite from the Music to Henry
VIII German
tai Al'eero Glocoso Morrli Dunce
(b) A"erttn Uusso Andnntlno Bhep.
herds' Dance.
(c) Allegro Mcl'o "Vo-rj, J.)m)Ce.
PART II.
Vrelude to Trf)henerln Wagner
parrs of The Sunfeast .(American In
dian) Waller
Arle Lnfellce. ro" Krmnnl Verdi
M Ie Resike.
Rxtct from Lucia Donliettl
I for trumpets, trombones and ejphnnlum.)
TnlUmmstue. from BtahHt Mater Rrlnl
Madam Nordlca and May Festival t'holr
The program for Ma-lame Muenteferlng't
benefit concert Tuesday night, which was
noted In this column last week, Is as fol
lows: Sonata op. 15, two movements, Grtez,
Ml KVIf:M .
THE:
Single Admission for
Matinees, May Kfln
9 and 10 JUU
Reserved Seats 25c Extra
May 15
FULL NEW YORK METROPOU-
TAN OPERA HOUSE ORCHESTRA
J. S. DUSS. Director.
LILLIAN NORDICA and ED0UARD
DeRESZKE, Soloists.
MADAM MUENTEFERINQ
BENEFIT CONCERT
Tuesday Eve., May 5,
First Congregational Church
Don't Miss It!
Tickets at Hospe's.
WESTERN BOWLING ALLEYS.
. Everything new and up-to-date.
. Special attention to private parties.
' BENGKLE ft GIBBS. Props.,
Tei.. W26". , 1510 Howard, OMAHA..
played by Madame ' Muentefering,' pianist,
and Mr. Cuacaden, violinist, who will give
a tolo number also.' Madame Mueriteferln'g
will play the O minor concerto by Mendels
sohn, a serenade by Barodin and a double
number by MacDowell. Mrs. Dale will ting
a couple of Mr. Landsberg'a tongs and Mist
Agnea Weller will givo'"0, -Dry Those
Tears," by Del Riego.
Mr. Thlckatun, organist and choirmaster
of the First Congregational church, gave
very interesting program laat Sunday night.
The chief attraction was the cantata "The
Pilgrims," by Shelley, In wblch soloists,
choir and director did themselves proud.
Mr. Alfred O.' Muller will give an Inter
esting program for those who are attached
to the zither tomorrow night at Kountze
Memorial church. Miss Lehmann and Mist
Selma Carlson will sing.
THOMAS J. KELLY.
COUNTY ROADS -AND BRIDGES
Commissioners Give Attention to Such
Affaire at Their Regra
lar Meeting.
. Country roads, bridges ' and wayward
etreamt claimed tome more attention from
the commissioner! at their aessloa yester
day morning. The board ordered the county
clerk to advertise for bids for moving 6,000
yards of dirt to straighten the Elkhorn
river north of the military road and about
two miles west of Elk City, in order that
the steel bridge near that bend may be
eaved. The board ordered alao a 'straight
ening of the August Bock Road In Millar!
precinct between Ruaer'a park and the town
of Millard. There is a half-mile grade that
can be avoided by condemning and open
ing straight through.
The board adopted a reaolutlon intro
duced by O'Keeffe at tbe request of the
International Brotherhood of Stationary
firemen, Increasing tbe monthly salary ot
Robert Dunlap, fireman at the country
hospital, from 25 to 30.
The board received County Attorney
English's opinion that the board need not
pay the $1,000 - claim of George Osier,
whose wife and children lost a team In a
washout on a county road 'and nearly
drowned with the hones. The caunty at
torney holds that the claim ia not valid
because, in bis opinion, tht Osier's were
respouslble for the accident, not tho
county.
The Graduation gchedole.
"It's a-goln' to cost me a power o' money
to graduate John this year," said the old
man.
"Reckon so?"
"I know It! Here's the program be tent
me:
" 'Dress suit, $50.
" 'Two new hatt, $16.
" 'Three pair o' shoes, $18.
" 'Cigars, $30.
"'Wine supper, $100."'
"He don't write that in Greek, does he?"
"No, by thunder! It's in plain Georgia,
with, 'God bless our home' an" 'How's all
tbe family,' at the end!" Atlanta Consti
tution. '
lloye Entitled tu Hla Money.
"The charge that John Hoye. fath-r o'
Councilman Fred lloye. did not piform
wark us Inspector n the mark-t hous?
during April, for which lie I? ncc e iiti.l oi
the sa'ary ordinance to ths ainuunt of il'ii
Is fu.f. said Builiilng iiitc:ur t't ,e.
yestercluy. "I appointed Jioyj myself
and- know that he worked each of the
twi-nty-slx days for which he wUI be pud.
It is true that no brick work was dons
on the market h-jiise during April, but car
penlsrs. tinnera, rouftrt an I painters we-f
busy Iht-re ail inoiuh. Mr. H ye had ruprr
lK,n ovi-r the entire tonslruit'on and no',
a loo thi, brick work. lie nt watched the
work carefully one It was stalled and I.
entitled to til money, wrucn wa none-my
earned."
31
AMI KMKT.
Weaeerfwl ghow.-. Y. Herein.
MAY 16
oaiuruay
THE GREAT
ADAM FOREPAUGII
AND
SELLS BROTHERS 1
ENORMOUS SHOWS UNITED
a
1,000 People, Ths 100 Greatest Acts
AMERICA'S MKTRorOI.ITAK BHOWB
New York's Newtpapert Unanlmoua in
Pronouncing Thera
Bigger and Better Than Ever
With an all atar program of
Sensational Exclusive Features
Including the world-famous snd original
Whose desperate, daner-orldl
anal 4lh-df ln
Looping the Loop
a m blry-rle haa created the biggest
DAMO
eenWhtloa of the aite. The act yon
have rena ebont, bat never seen.
The Aurora Zouaves
Just returned from a triumphal conquest
of Europe, where the nobility and royalty
pronounced them the best drilled soldiers
In the world.
EDDY FAMILY
World's Greatest Asrobsts, 1
4 HERDS OF ELEPHAHTS-4
"Starr" the Shooting Star
Ths 24 Champion Bareback Riders
Tha 7 Cayneils Cycls Whirl
BIIXTINQ, VNIUiCLK WOiNDfc.it-
AN ARMY OK Fl'NKV CI.OWXS.
During the forenoon of exhibition day
A Grand, New, Free blreet Parade
TWO PERFORM ANCf.S DAI V AT 2 AND
8 P. M.
Doors open 1 and 7, rain or thine. In new
prooest waterproof tents.
Admission BOe. Children V'nder U
Yeara 25c.
Numbered coupon, aatually reserved seats
may be secured on the day of exhibition at
THE BEATO! DIIKJ COMPANY,
J 5th and Farnam Sts.
OflllOHTCN
Telephone .'1531.
Last Big Bill of tha Season
Week Commencing Sunday
Matinee May 3.
Today 2:15 Tomtit 8:15
8f Vaudeville
' Mllly Capell . -
The Noted Equestrian and Her Magnllio?nt
Horse and Hounds.
Elizabeth Murray
The Lady With the Rag Time Walk.
Beaux and Belles
Octette
A Breezy Novelty in Music and Dauce
Zelma Rawlston
AnmA nf Ifcflmln Art.
Gardner and Vincent
Presenting "An Idyl of the Links."
Ester Fee
Violin Virtuoso.
Klnodrome
New Moving Scenes.
Prices inc. ': Wc.
BOYD'S natr?.1""'"'
01-U1U THIS APTERNOON FOR
ALL Hl.MMKH.
Tho Ferris Stock Go.
Two Plays Kaoh Week.
Opening KIll.-'liKAHT ANU SWORD."
Last Half of Ve k-"THK YOl'Ntl WIFK"
Prices Matinee, any. seat. 10c; night, 10c,
15c and 25c.
Your little supper after
the theater will be a great
success if ordered at the
LOBBY CAFE .
II S. 17th St., Bee Bldg..
A bite to eat after-tlie-theater
makes a pleasant
evening complete.
Broiled Live Lobster u
Fresh Bhrlmpe .it
Mr. Kelly ....
TEACHER OF .
Singing, .
Ton Production
Interpretation
PhvIJk Block,
18th and Farnam
'in l a. a at
i
!