The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-16

The Russian minStrels also take q prom.
inent part in these " gulanias, but only
. stationary one. One o. more troops of
them are always engaged for such occa.
sions, and delight the motley crowd from
temporary stages erected on the grounds.
These stages are simple-mere semi-cir-
cular covered platforms three or four feet
above the ground, and open in front. No
dressing closets or greenroom are re-
Quired. The Russian minstrel does not
blacken his face or don resplendent
broadcloth and impossible shirt collars
and fronts. He dresses In the traditional
National costume-a short, black velvet
coat, without sleeves, displaying the wide
shirt-sleeves of colored silk or calico,
and wide trousers stuffed into tOp-b0Ots;
their head covering is somewhat in the
shape of lady's jockey hat, with huge
ers mingle with the audience until called
by their leader; then they mount the
stage and form q semi-circle, with their
leader in the center. All stand erect 1--WE
see NO gorgeous chairs, no orchestra. At
q sign from the "middle man" the sing
ing begins. The charm of vocal music
performed by trained Russian singers has
often been acknowledged by different trav-
eleD. There Is both harmony and mel0-
dy in their peculiar tunes, and the wolves
are simply excellent. The conviction ID
soon forced upon the listener that instru-
mental accompaniment to such singing
would be superfluous if not positively in
furious to the effect. The pieces gener-
ally consist of solos and choruses, and the
selections invariably begin with songs of
sentimental or serious character, gradu-
ally changing to the comic and bur-
lesque. To the latter class dances are
also added, taking the place Of, but not in
any way resembling our walk arOunds"
and brcakdowns." This partof the per-
Torrance is initiated with q lively tune
by the chorus, beginning with measured
strains and gradually increasing the IA
pidity OF measure. accompanied by clap
ping of hands and stamping OF feet.
Suddenly . dancer emcrges from be-
hind the circle of singers, dressed as they
are, but generally with some additional
trimming of gold lace. His arms arc
akimbo and he glides with short steps in
curved lines from one side of the stage to
the other, At some particularly lively
notes Of the chorus he breaks out into .
few fantastic stops and then again resumes
his peculiar skimming motion. But the
measure grows more rapid, the voices
louder and the clapping and stamping
moro energetic, until the dance comes to
. climax, and the frisky youth breaks out
In . series Of steps and skips and jumps,
in time with the singing, entirely bewil-
dering and "fearf0l and wonderfully to
behold. The excitement and frenzy are
shared by chorus and audience, who utter
yells and shouts Of encouragement and
delight; the legs and arms Of the dancer
are In . continual whirl. Now upright,
now in half.sitting posture, now stoop-
ing forward and now leaning backward,
he keeps on until utter exhaustion com.
pels him to retire behind the chorus with
the same peculiar skimming motion with
which he had made his appearance, and
disappears amid thu7ders Of applause of
the delighted audience. The same per-
Torrance IL repeated at various times
during the afternoon, and Is always wit
messed with the same intense interest and
enjcyment.-6t. Petersbusy Cor. San
Francisco Chronicle.