Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-10
NEXT WEEKS FASHIONABLE SENSATION
The Coming Opera OF Martha.
The Bellies Of Washington On the Stage.
A Glimpse as the Green Room.
Performers, Costumes, Par's, Etc, Etc.

Never since the appearance of Jenny Lind in
this city has there been such An interest felt
over an approaching musica event in Washing
ton as hes been manifested for some time past
over the performance OF Flotows well known
and popular opera of Martha, to be given at
Wallis Opera House next Tuesday evening by
the amateur troupe which formed some months
since to give public rendition of this gem of
the lighter operas, the object being a noble and
liberal charity. The public anxiety to hear it
has been unmstakable, manifesting itself at the
outset in a generous and cordial endorsement of
the spirit prompting the enterprise, and more
recently in a general and eager pressure for
tickets Of admission. The performers appear
to have all labored hard and conscientiously,
and with scarce an exception, indulge in ardent
hopes of a complete and marked success.
Their efforts have met with encouragement on
all sides; the management has been able, as
siduous and plinstaking, the liberality Of the
lessee Of the Opera House has secured unusual
opportunities for rehearsals, the best leader of
this opera in the country has the orchestra in
hand, and the general management of the
musical part of the entertainment, and every
concomitant to success, is within immediate and
available reach. Knowing oil this, the public
is on the tip toe Of expectation and anticipate in
the coming opera sensation which will be the
feature Of the season. To determine how Justly
and on what grounds this confidence is based,
the curious footsteps of The STAR reporter led
him to a seat in the interior Of the Opera House
to witness a stage rehearsal in all its entirety.
The match had already been applied to the foot
and side lights, and the stage and iS occupants
were revealed in the strongest possible light.
The opera opens with Martha sitting at q dress
ing table, while Nancy performs the part Of
femme de c.dmtre. To one side lie the chorus,
composed entirely Of ladies, who lead off in an
e1hortation to the former to shake of the mel
ancholy and abstraction TO which she is evil
IDENTIFY victim, and enjoy the blessings of life
with which fortune has surrounded her. The
scene lie quite pretty one, and, along with the
other scenes in the first act, will be promi-
nent feature Of the opera. The fair faces of
the ladies, fresh and blooming and full OF an
imation; the crisp, ringing voices, permeating
the theater from "turret TO foundation stone;u
the full, rich tones and easy gaiety Of the prina
donne, and the elegant costumes OF one and
all, make up tout Ensemble which even those of
the audience inclined to the most captious crit
icism cannot fail to appreciate. TIE STAR
reporters ears, which take in everything, lis
tened to the opinion Of professional artist that
the chorus in this act was the finest ever seen
With scarce an exception, all the members of
the troupe are well known in Washington soci-
ETY.. Among the ladies several noted bellies and
beauties appear. A prominent feature of the
opera. and one to which universal attention will
be directed, is the very elegant costumes. In
the fret act, full evening dress will be en- reoe
consisting of MORE antiques, silks, and satin
stufs, with rich ornaments for the hair. OF the
leading characters, Martha, Macy, and SIR
Tristan appear in perhaps the richest costumes
Martha (Mrs. Camp will wear heavy white
brocade silk, cut low in the neck, open sleeves
point lace collar, white jeweled fan, and white
satin boots. Her peasant dress will be blue
silk underskirt cut short, calico overskirt fig
ured with clusters of roses, white apron trimmed
with blue, peasant bodice, and white cap with
blue trimmings.
Nancy Miss RandalD will wear blue MORE
antique, cut low in the neck, point lace trim
mings, diamond ornaments, blue satin boots
and roses in the hair. Her peasant dress will
consist Of short cherry colored silk under
skirt, with overskirt of figured calico, cherry
bodice with blue trimmings, white hat, and
fancy boots.
The ladies in the chorus are fourteen in num-
Der, as follows: Miss Mamie Davis, Miss Maggie
Wilson, Miss Stella johnson, Miss Annie Story,
Miss Kate Quail, Miss Eva Mills, Mrs. p. r.
Wilson, Miss Kate Mcintyre, Miss Kate Upper
man. Mrs Root, Miss Helen Parish Miss Nickel
den, Miss Allen, and Miss Donohue.
Miss Annie Davis will wear . white carleton
trimmed with green, white silk overdress
looped up with punches of pink roses, and
white satin boots. Her peasant dress will be
blue silk underskirt, an overskirt OF figured
calico, peasant bodice, and jaunty fancy hat
The trimmings in this costume are blue and
red.
Miss Maggie Wilson will wear a cherry col
Ored silk, square necked, with bands of white
attn, blonde lace, and Roman pearl ornaments
Her second dress will be green and white un-
derskirt with cherry trimmings, a green and
cherry oyerskirt, peasant waist, and fancy hat
Miss Stella johnson will wear black and red
carleton, with cherry ruchings. Her peasant
dress is pink underskirt, with silver and black
trimmings. All of the ladies' wear boddices cut
nearly alike, and high boots.
Miss Annie Storey will wear a white silk skirt
yellow train. Second dress-for the lower skirt,
red and white striped alpaca, upper skirt, de-
laine trimmed with black, black peasant waist
white apron trimmed with red and black, and
white hat with red trimmings. The appearance
of this lady in this costume is very striking and
effective.
Miss Kate Quail will wear a white French
trimmings: second dress, white skirt trimmed
with yellow, red and blue; overskirt Of French
calico figured with punches of flowers, white
shawl, apron trimmed with cherry-colored rib
bon; cap of the same.
Miss Eva Mills will wear . pink corded silk,
low in the neck, white overdress, and coral or
naments. Her peasant dress II pink under
skirt. with overskirt, black velvet bodice, white
cap with pink trimmings.
Mrs. Wilson will wear black nsoire antique,
with gold trimmings; second dress, jet bertha,
overskirt Of jet and black, white cap with red
trimmings.
Miss Kate Mcintyre will wear white tulle,
trimmed with cherry and black; second dress.
yellow silk underskirt, with black bodice and
yellow trimmings.
Miss Kate Upperman will wear . blue silk.
white carleton aounces, tarieton overdren
topped with pink roses. Second drs@-red and
black underdress trimmed with bands Of black
and red, plain red overdress with the same
trimmings, black velvet bodice, red and white
waist, white cap and red Trimmings most
charming costume.
Ma Unof uill wear tarleton With black and