The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-25

MRS. SEGU1N.WALLACbS WITHDRAWAL FROM
TIE ENliA ABBOTT OPERA CO1PANY-THE
CAUSES LEADING TBERETo-INTERvIEw
WITH Mr.. JAMES W. MoRRIssEY, THE TRFA-
srRER OF THE COMPANY--THE RESULTS OF
PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSY.
(st. Paul Pioneer Press, December 19.l
The following personal item appeared in
The Indianapolis journal OF the 10th In.
slant:
"Mr. and Mrs. David Wallace returned
10 the city yesterday from ST. Louis, and
will make this their residence during the
winter. Mrs. Wallace has left the Abbott
company, having cancelled her engagement
for the remainder of the season."
Mrs. Wallace is known in the operate
world As Mrs. Zelda Seguin, and during her
long career on the lyric stage has ever been
a prime favorite with the American public.
She is especially popular among the patrons
of opera in ST. Paul, and In view OF the ap-
pearance OF the Emma Abbott Company
here next week the above announcement Is
doubly interesting. In order to ascertain,
Il possible, the reasons Of Mrs. Seguin's
Withdrawal from the Abbott Opera Com
pany, reporter of the Pioneer Press
last evening called on Mr.. james W..
Morrissey, the treasurer, and one Of
the propretOrs thereof, who Is Cow in St.
Paul attending to the preliminaries OF the
forthcoming engagement. Mr.. MoriisSey
received the reporter with characteristic
courtesy, and, on being asked as TO the cor
rectness Of the announcement made in the
indianapolis Journal, said that IL was per-
fectiy true. Mrs. Seguin Gt is best to desig-
nate the lady by the name by which she is
known on the stage) left the company at st.
Louis two weeks ago. When pressed to
give the Pioneer Press the causes that lei to
Mrs. Seguin's retirement from the troupe,
Mr.. Morrissey said that while he would
have no hesitation IN relating TO his repor-
toria visitor In confidential way
the history of the trouble, business
considerations required that he should
have some time to think the matter over be-
fore making any statements for publication.
Finally, however, be succumbed to the per.
suasive eloquence OF the news-bunter, and
in bis fluent aud graphic manner told the
story OF the origin. rise. and elimination
OF the difficulty. Divested Of the graceful
qualifications OF statement and circumlocu-
tory explanations, the prime motive OF Mrs.
Seguin's Understanding to Mr.. Morris.
sey-was Jealousy OF the success OF Hon.
est Little Emma" Mrs. Seguin, who as
Zelda Harrison, made her DEBUT in opera 10
New York city, sixteen years ago, 10 the
doctor OF AIcantara," and two wears
afterwards married the late Edward Sc
Quin. W IN whom she travelled with va.
rious opera companies for thirteen years,
winning q most favorable reputation as an
artistic, was piqued because 10 career OF
three years on the operate stage Miss Abb
bott had achieved the highest position,
while she herself, with all her experience,
o.,ty nocnriod a sacondarv plaae Mrs 90.
gums iniatuation for her second husband,
Mr.. David Wallace, and submission to his
plans. would, Mr.. Morrissey thought, ruin
her operate career. Prompted by her own
ambition and jealousy. and following
the guidance OF her young husband,
who had no experience ia the ope.
ratio business, Mrs. Seguin brought
matters TO a crisis in ST. Louis two
weeks ago. Through her husband, Mr..
Wallace, she demanded OF Mr.. Wetberell,
the husband Of Miss Abbott and senior pro-
prietor OF the company: First, that Mr..
Wallace be given hlif In the company
second. that the name OF the company be
changed TO the Abbott-Seguin English
Opera Company; third, that Mr. james w.
Morrissey, the treasurer and one OF the man.
ayers OF the company, must go. In case
these demands were not complied with Mrs
6eguin declared that she would withdraw
from the company.
The reply 70 each OF these demands was Q
most positive refusal Mrs. Seguin was In.
formed that II was impossible to give Mr.
Wallace any interest 10 the company, owing
TO the nature Of the co-psrtnership arrange
ment already formed. Had II been other
wise the proposition would have been de
clined, - Mr.. Wallace was not sufficiently
experienced 10 discharge the duties iba
would be required Of him. In the mex
place the name Of the company had beer
agreed upon, and could not now b,
changed. To the third demand Mis-
Abbott replied tbst Mr.. Morrissey hss
successfully managed her business du
rag her sntire operate career, ant
soe WAS DESTROYS Of retaining his ser
vifes, bbe expressed great regret ut ib
psoepect q the lots Of Mrs. Seguiu from lh
eenpanys but II her demands were not with
etew9 she mpst 70. This being the result
Arv' Seguin sod Der husband LETT the con,