The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-10

from before the green curtain. the
stage was cleared, the great throng of
performers crowding into the wings.
Ting-a-ling a-ling, the curtain slowly
rose, Carpi and Florini, the soldier and
the priest, advanced to the footlights,
and the opera was begun. From his
seat the visitor could see Cary stand
in the wings, laughing with one Of the
ebody little maidens. "She's always
just SO jolly" said the admiring FIRE.
ligh ''she makes all the fun at the
rehearsals. A mighty fine woman"
As she took her cue from the prompter,
she turned from her companion, kissed
herf hand to friend in a prosccnium
box: and walked out before the applaud
ing audience, every inch a princess.
SCENE SHIFTING.
| While the first scene was on, the car
penters and scene shutters rapidly ar
ranged for the n:xt-the interior of the
temple Of Vulcan. The long rows Of
| canvass columns we're let down the
gilded statue Of the idol was placed on
the altar; the calcium lights were ar
ranged above; the priests grouped
themselves; the ballet girls assumed
their postures; water was poured on
unslaked lime in the tripods to make
the smoke of incense, and as the de-
spairing words Of the hapless Aida we're
heard-'Amor fatal-tremendo amor"
the scene was changed. The prompter
from his box among the footlights gave
the cue, and at sign from Muzio the
chorus burst forth in the weird hymn,
Immense Etha,'' with which tn first
act ends. In the second act, while the
small girls were executing their dance,
which is supposed to be SO pleasing to
the beautiful Amneris, and while ST :
and Aida were having a little quarre',
the property men we're busy behind the
scenes. The chariots Of war, the en-
signs, the sacred vases and the statues
Of the gods, and the treasures of the de-
feated were given into the hands Of the
faithful 'supers,' and as the second
scene opened the grand triumphal pro-
cession began its march, Van Hamme
standing IN the wings, with hands and
,eet striving to beat time into the legs
of the Egyptian soldiers. AS Radamcs
rode forward on canopy borne by
twelve officers, the spectator missed
the grand position, the naughty pose
that Campanni was wont to assume.
And Carpi himself SEEMED rather to
distrust his support. and almost breath
ed sigh Of relief when he set foot on
the solid stage. The second act done,
the carpenters become very busy
launching the boat which was to bear
the priest and princess to
THE TEMPE OF 1878
on the Nile. First, wooden track was
laid down, and on it was placed a low
four-w heeled cart with broad platform.
On this the illustrious passengers seated
themselves. A thin boarA side shaped
like boat, with the sacred dog in
front, was placed between them and the
footljgh and the magnificent barge
was ready. 1t remained only to attach
ropes to each end, and the players had
a vessel proof against wind and tide
A curtain was let down representing
the Nile with the surrounding lands,
and as the calcium light thrown through
green glass lighted it up the illusion
of moonlight was perfect. This was
quickly dispelled when the boat start
ed, for the first thing the audience saw
was an immense shadow Of the sacred
dog thrown against what before seemed
to be vast expanse of country.
While the third &C. was on. the car
- r 4 L
form the great double scene in the last
act. FIRST, strong frame on rollers
then upright and cross pieces; then a
solid matched floor. Canvas represent
ing the solid rocks was placed in front.
The idol and tripods were placed upon
it, and as the despairing .imneris
rushed from the stage, the whole i'm.
mense structure was rolled forward and
the last scene was completed. With
the last notes of the orchestra all was
confusion. Attendants rushed to open
the door from which the dead lovers
and the heart-broken imneris come
forth smiling in response to an enthusi-
asst. demand from the audience.
BALLET. CHORUS AND ARMY.
rushed to their dressing rooms. Prop
erty men took the sacred god Vulcan
to pieces and packed him and the altar
away, and by the time the last loiterer
had gone from the auditorium the car
penters had taken down the great plat
form, and the stage was clear.
At the door Freligh was again busy.
HAS nv wife came down. Oh. here she
is" and young man tucked pretty
little woman under his arm and hurried
off. sSh-' in the ballet. He comes
after her every night. said the door
tender. Have you seen my sister,"
asked a small boy. who had come to es-
cort priestess home. "Oh, there you
are, mother. already in minute" ard
one Of the chorus went out with her
old mother, who was waiting for her.
Mr.. Strakosch appeared at the stage
door. HAS Miss Cary come out!
mo. sir Tell Miss Cary her car
riage waits" and soon the popular con-
tralto came. bundle of furs and wraps,
her dancing eyes barely visible above
thick throat covering. She took Mr..
Strakosch's arm. and was gone. at
isn't her carriage either. said by
stander. Its his He slways comes
for her. or sends his brother.
AT length all were gone The lights
were all out, except here and there one.