The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-09
THE DRAMA.
HOW THE WORLD H AMUSING ITSELF.
The Latest Plays and 0perns-Stags
Notes.
THE OPERA NEXT YEAR.

More interesting, perhaps, is the news that |
Nine. Nilsson will not come over with Maple
son next season. This lady has determined
10 remain In Europe, where she can earn her
81 900 night more than she could earn here.
Beyond this. Nine. Nilsson does not like
Gerster personally, and as in their roles they
would conflict, it is an additional motive Tor
her declining the engagement. Indications
are rife that next year will be the most lively,
from the managerial standpoint, that we
have known for many seasons. The Strak-
oscheS have determined to carry war into the
enemys camp to that extent that, when Mr..
Mapleson opens at the Academy with his
company, they will open theirs at Booths,
both playing on the same nights. Maurice
Strakosch goes over IN few weeks, and Will
scour Europe to get the best artists he
can. The most prominent will be Nine.
Singer, whom the Italians consider the great
est dramatic prima donna now living. And
she has the advantage of comparative youth
In her favor. A light soprano will also be en-
ployed as an offset to Gerster, and though
her name is not given, she has already been
secured Cary will probably remain; Pante-
leoni certainly. Two new tenors are among
the certainties. In fact the Strakosches In
tend casting the die for the operate lead in
this country with the best company that
Europe will afford. Maple5on, on the other
hand, will probably leave no stone unturned.
But If he would be successful he must give
us something very different in his general
company than he has given us this year
L'ASSoMMoIR, THE LATEST PARIS SENSATION.
"L'Assommoir," at the Amblgu, is the dra-
matte sensation in Paris at the present time,
| and it would be difficult to say when the run
will STOP Since it's production, three weeks
| ago, the theatre has been packed. For the
| first fourteen representations q seat could not
| be obtained at any price; and it is safe to say
that no production in twenty years has
created more excitement among Partisan
playgoers, playwrights and critics than did
| 'L'Assommoir." NJ. Zola's extraordinary
romance bearing the title Of the play, literally
translated into English and published in the
States, would neither be tolerated by public
opinion nor by law. Sixty editions of the
work have been sold and from it has been
compiled the drama by NM. Gastineau and
Busnach, which has been produced with the
utmost care by NJ. Chatrillat the manager
of the Ambigu. The dialogue is in the
1
Is called spade; but, while there
| is minuteness and amplitication OF loath-
some details, the drama is one OF undeniably
tragic force, and the morality OF the plot is
unimpeachable. From first to last 1t is one
continuous sermon against drunkenness idle
| ness. profiigacy and extravaganza. 1t is
| only questionable whether the exhibition of
| scenes of the lowest excess and profligacy on
o public stage are conducive to the spread OF
true moral principles which such drama is
no doubt meant to inculcate. Great attention
has been paid to the mounting of the piece,
and the pitch Of realism reached is worthy of
remark One OF the most realistic scenes is
| that in which C0npeau falls from four-stOry
building. He stands on the scaffolding. In a
| flash the scaffolding gives way where he
stands, and apparently he falls to the ground.
| Then there is the Westinghouse on the
| banks Of the Seine. About fifty women are at
work. Steam, soap-suds, dirty clothes, old
rotten wash-tubS, and the stream OF ''chaH
| INDUCED in by the workers, make the illusion
| complete.
SAMUEL BRoHL.
samuel Brohl" q five-aot drama by Nell
hac and Cherbuiez. at the Odeon, at Paris,
has met with the fate Of 'Balsamo,' pro-
duced at this house a year ago. 1t IS an
utter failure. At that time the director sent
in his resignation, which was accepted for
1880. The reasons Tor this step are as curious
as they are interesting. The OdeOn is sub
Mentioned by the State to play the produc-
tions Of young authors. or course the direc-
tors Office Is inundated with manuscripts.
AS it is impossible to produce all the effu-
sions OF the budding dramatists Of Paris, the
unfortunate director is continually in trouble.
He makes enemies on every side; and these
enemies, many of whom are young journal
lists, in addition to firing off squibs in the
newspapers, personal to the director gene
rally assemble at the theatre, and use their
utmost efforts to damn the first production
of rivals work. The management of such
q house proved 50 unremunerative and SO I'M
Foot bot r. or mad
cut the connection as soon as possible,
REvIvING RACINE.
|, A revival of Racine's "Mithridate" is the
most notable of recent occurrences at the
Theatre Francois. The tragedy has never
ranked among the poets best works, although
its faults are in a measure redeemed by the
single character Of MOnime which is a crea-
ton worthy Of the author of "Athalie." NJ
Maubant, as the King of Pontus, has not
given satisfaction; Nj. Mounet-SuIly, very
unequal actor, was often powerful as XII
phareS. But the great, indeed the only, sue
cess OF this representation was reserved for
Mile. Sara Bernhard. who, as Monime, re-
called the oid-tlme success OF Rachel.
HOW MANAGER MADE FORTUNE
Nj. HalanZier, the director of the Paris
Opera House, will, it is currently reported,
send in his resignation Immediately, because
his enemies accuse him OF having enriched
himself by playing only operas whose success
was already established. During his connec-
ton with the Opera House, since 1871 he has
accumulated $4,000 900. This amount Of money,
it is thought, is too much for one operate
manager to make, notwithstanding the fact
that the government subvention amounts to
100000 annually, and the receipts nightly
average $4,000.
THE SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL CELEBRATION.
The arrangements for the Shakespeare
memorial at Standardization are progress
| ing. Mrs. Theodore Martin Miss Helen
! Faucitl has consented, on this occasion, to
take the part of Beatrice on the opening
night Mr.. Barry Sullivan will play Bene-
dick, and has offered to assist during the
whole of the festival. In all likelihood two
Of Shakespeare's plays will be produced in
order that they may be represented as per-
| fecty as possible. These will be repeated
| two or three times. Tickets OF admission for
the reserved seats will be allotted by care
| fully regulated ballot.
ETCETERA.
| III. Massanet's new opera "Le Cid" will
or ho Hatt no and iT,D