The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-19
"reminiscences of the Opera House.

the nearly sympathy anu support Vi Tue
road and his fellow workmen.
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"reminiscences of the Opera House.
Our opera house, during its six anda
half years of existence, has probably had
more brilliant talent on its stage than any
other hall In the state, during the same
period. 1t was opened December goth,
1868, by the Parepa Rosa concert troupe.
The first lecture delivered in the hall was
by ]. j. Naming of Springfield, Jan. IA,
1869, on "self culture On this occasion
the new scenery was displayed after the
lecture. That winter the Nellie Germon
theatrical troupe came and made Rutland
their headquarters for about n month.
The hall and scenery were new, the troupe
was better than most travelling troupes, and
they drew good houses The last night of
their stay they played Uncle Toms Cabin,
with Nellie Germon as ''Topsy' and local
extravaganza, the Woodstock railroad,
in which local celebrities were burlesqued
to crowded house. Since then, Forrest
has played Othello and Richlieu to packed
houses, and last autumn Maggie Mitchell
played Fanchon, to an equally good audi
ence. Besides these, there has been almost
weekly some troupe of less note.
Among the lectures, Wendell Phillips
has spoken three times-on the " Lost
Arts" "Daniel O'Connell " and "a trip
through Europe" On these occasions the
audiences were large, eager to hear that
wonderful eloquence which stands like
Giotto's circle, perfect, open to no censure
and needing no praise. Va tt41 8. I
John B Cough has three times delighted
and amazed his hearers by his, wonderful
facial illustration. The first time, the
season of 1901, the house was SO full
that the scenery was removed and the
stage filed with seats.
Hon. William Parsons has spoken four
times, his subjects being Orchard Brins-
ley Sheridan" "Robert Stevenson "Mi-
chael Angelo and "Bound TO Win" He
gained new favor with our people with
each new lecture. Anna Dickinson has
lectured three or four times in the hail.
Charles Sumner lectured on Caste
Robert Collycr on "Clear Grit - DR.. L.
II. Chaplin on " Free Nobility" one Of the
most brilliant and able lectures ever deliv-
cred in Rutland Fred. Douglas, Thomas
Mast, Gen. Fitzpatrick, "Nasby," "Grace
Greenwood" Mrs, Mary A. Livermore;
scientific lectures by w. c. Richards and
C. II. Hitchcock, and DR.. John Lords
course of historical lectures of the past
winter, are among the more important lee
lures which have been given in the hall. 1t
has been well of know ledge to those who
would drink.
Rutland has been the usual stepping
place for concert troupes between New
York and Montreal, and in this way we
have had an opportunity to hear Carlotta
Patti and Wienesli. The Patti troupe
was, probably, the best concert troupe
which has travelled in America for years.
1t was composed Of Carlotta Patti, Mario,
Miss Cary, Sauret, violnist. and Miss Car
rens, pianist, and Scolara, basso. NIario's
engagement expired the night before, how
ever, and Miss Cary was i'll the rest of the
| troupe pleased their audience greatly. Last
year we had the WieneskiMaurel troupe,
and Thomas orchestra. Besides these,
Camilla Urso has appeared twice; Ole Bull
once the Barnabce troupe, with Mrs. ii =.
NJ. Smith and Fessenden, three times, and
there have been numerous concerts by local
talent.
The charming Mrs. Scott-Siddons read
three times and Mrs. Abby-Sage Richard
son once.
The literary exercises of the centennial
were held in the opera hall, and also an
"od folks concert" which drew packed
house.
In 1869 womans suffrage convention,
which was addressed by William Lloyd
Garrison, Julia Ward Howe and Lucy
Stone, was held there.
The opera hall has been the place par
excellence for church fairs, local dramatic
entertainments, conventions, etc. No
speaker or singer ever willingly encounter
ed the terrible acoustic faults of our town
hall second time, and the absence Of cur
tain and scenery render it useless for
theatrical troupes. There is as yet no
prospect of new opera hall, but before
the season is over we are confident some
thing will be done. Rutland has been too
long accustomed to fine entertainments to
go without any.