The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-12
Behind the Curtain.


One Walter Maynard has brought out vol
ume in London styled the "Enterprsing Inn
pressario," in which he Darrates some of his
experiences as theatrical manager. He is
apparently Oh terms of intimacy with Mr.. j. L.
Hatton, whom he constantly calls ''the Sultan"
an exquisite witticism that is beyond our
comprehension. He would tain interest his
readers in the sorrows OF q conductor, whose
legs were exceedingly cold, in the orchestra of
the theatre at Cork. He tells you how Mad'le
Piccolomini kissed her lover when she met him
unexpectedly at the junction at CreWe.
The book is, indeed, the history of the doings
and adventures OF company of operate stars
OF the first magnitude, who, under the conduct
of an enterprlsingsi gsimpressario, were the first
who went on musical tours in Great Britain.
The advent Of these notables is still matter of
lively recollection in all the towns they visited.
The visits OF singers and actors are now become
matters OF frequent recurrence; but the won
der and delight with which they were regarded
when first brought into the provinces gave
their journey an aspect of romance which can
never return. In the beginning, concerts only
were attempted, and sometimes achieved under
difficulties not less real for being whimsical.
Here is a
STORY OF GRIsI.
In those days, enterprsing Impressarlos used
TO engage half a-dOzen singers to form a con-
cert party, buy two travelling carriages to carry
them about in, and so take them to those towns
that were nearest to one another. Crisis first
visit to the provinces was made after that fash
ion; and have heard her describe the pleasures
pains, and penalties of the road; how, on one
IN took her from Chatsworth to Matock, instead
OF to Sheffield. They had lost sight of the car
riage which preceded them, and had mistaken
their instructions. Grisi alighted at Matlock
with her travelling companions; there were no
signs OF the rest OF the party, and none whatever
OF any concert going TO take place. "Obe fare,
per BacGo The landlord of the inn was at
loss to know what to do with the foreigners
none of whom spoke English. After great deal
Of dumb show and pantomime, GIisi opened her
desk, and discovered that the concert that even
Sheffield. dtslpffipl1 y Sh 10
to the landlord. sheffield is a very long way
off, this is Matlock;" on hearing which, Grsi
understood enough English to know a mistake
had been made, and getting into the carriage
again, ordered the positions to drive MS hard as
they could to Sheffield. Whether it was for
cher siller bright or for the winsome lady"
Grisi does not say; but after great eXertions on
the part of the boys and horses the travellers
reached Sheffield just IN time TO prevent the
public from being dismissed without hearing
the Dina. TambuIini and Benedict had done
their utmost to prevent complete disappoint-
ment, the baritone having sung several songs
and got into very bad temper at the absence
of the soprano, who was then much younger
than some of us remember her, and full OF mis-
chief. Tamburini declared il was a practical
joke and had told the unhappy impressaro he
would sing no more, having, in fact, exhausted
his concert repertoire, when the long-lookedfo for
absenteCs came into the green-room, aud Volun-
teered TO finish the concert in their travelling
costume, with one condition, that time should
be allowed them TO eat sandwich,
Here is what the author says Of that singular
institution Of Partisan theatres.
THE CLAoUE.
In Paris, the c'dque exists in all theatres, with
The honorable exc. ption OF the Theatre ltaien.
At the Grand Opera, the present Chef de Ia
ClGgue, NJ. David is man of importance and
intelligence He has a staff two hundred strong
under his command. With cunning general
ship he distributes his forces in patches Of ten
or twenty throughout the house. Each of these
he places under the surveillance of trusty lieu
tenants men OF caution and OF superior adj
dress. He occupies a conspicuous position
himself and conducts the applause with as much
care and precision as the chef d3roheS'rs directs
the music.
In most of the theatres the oldque sit together,
and occupy the centre of the pit With little
practical experience you can pretty well tell
which of the artists on the stage Is liberal
towards th9,cidqate and which the reverse. On a
first night the ciaque is an object of interest to
authors, actors, singers and managers. The
chef has long and serious interviews with the
impressario, at which are discussed the diff
ferent "pointsn that are to be distinguished,
where the olaque is to laugh loudly, or express
apptobation by an encouraging bravo"
Auguste, David's predecessor at the opera, In
sisted upon all first nights condded to his IRE
being sustained a 10 CTeSceldO. He used to de
clare il would never do to exhaust tht influence
of his efforts upon the first and second acts, bat
that us the piece progressed so should the eX
element of The c'dgue increase, until the last act
ended in the mad enthusiasm of his myrmldous