Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-08
wAGNER,s WESTERN RIVAL.
Salmi MOrsc's Preparations for the
sPaSsiOn Play"

SOME OF THE SCRIPTURAL SCENES TO BE PRE-
sENTED-DREsSEs AND PROPERTIES OF ORIEN-
tai sPLEND0R-A SYNOPSIS OF THE REMARK
ABLE PLAY.
From the New York Star.
As the time announced for the production Of
the Passion Play draws near. avisit to Passion
hail enables the observer to form some idea of
the magnitude of the undertaking and the
earnestness with which Mr.. Sssimi Morse and his
assistants have thrown themselves into the
work. with fervent hope Of bringing everything
to successful contamination. On mounting
the stairs of No. 100 9th street, where all the
business arrangements are carried out, on the
second floor. Mr. Morse is to be found located in
spacious and comfortably furnished rooms,
where he not only carries on his business. but
also lives. in order that he may be always on
the spot and thus able to control everything.
On Star reporter introducing himself to the
author of the passion Play" he was most cour-
teously received, and despite the numerous in
terruptons from musicians, carpenters, singers,
gasmen and contractors, all of whom wanted
advice from the energetic entrepeneur the fol-
lowing interesting facts were CLEANED. Passion
hall is well situated at Nos. 1919. 131 and 1873
West 23d street 1t is spacious building,
reaching through the block to 9th street. When
finished. according to the plans. it will resemble
hall or chapel rather than theater. The dec
oratlons will be plan the gallery having panels
In alto relieve, depicting scenes in the life of
our Saviour, the ceiling being also paneied with
stained glass, throwing a col0red radiance on
the audience below. The lighting will be ar
ranged by seven bfanched candelabra. fae-simi
les of those in the Tabernacle. The seating
capabilities of the house will be about 500 peo
pie Excellent arrangements are made in case
of fire. there being twelve broad exits opening
from the sides of the auditorium as well as those
on 23d and 9th streets
The stage will be arranged as little like
theater as possible There will be no pros
cenium, but merely a sort of frame in which to
set the scenes, as in picture. The principal
stage is 56 feet wide by so feet deep and there
is supplementary stage at the back 100 feet
deep by ~ feet wide, which will Dc used to give
greater distance to the street scenes and the
:" Palace Of Herod." The orchestra will be sunk
under the stage. so that the musicians will not
be in sight; this is after the manner adopted
by Wagner at Bayreuth. The method is
also in use at Munich and Dresden; at the
latter place it can be used as visible if re-
CURED. The scenery will be specially ar
ranged on new principle. doing away as
much as possible with grooves and flies. The
various scenes will be built on the stage in the
most massive manner, end viii be architec
turaly correct. with no effort at stage effect.
Messrs. Maeder and Hoyt are instructed to pro-
duce three sceneS-thc interior OF the Temple,
the Gabbatha or Trial before POntus Plate.
and the Entry into Jerusalem. In the latter
scene the full depth of the stage will be shown.
and 600 people will represent the pOpulace. The
Garden OF Gethsemane will be painted by Mr..
Harley Merry and assistants. as will be Bethle-
hem (the Massacre of the lnnocents), and the
Brook Of kedrOn. The Palace of HerOd has
been designed from details accurately laid down
by Mr.. NOegtlin, who will also paint the drop
curtain specially invented by Mr.. Morse.
The music has been composed and arranged
by Mr.. Oscar We'll. student of the conserva-
tore at Lcipsc, and brother prize winner with
Mr.. Arthur Sullivan. The character of the COM
position is Semitic up to the advent of Christ
from that time gradually developing into the
Christian oratOriO style. In the dance before
HeTOd. Saone will dance to an ancient SYRIA
cair, brought by Mr.. Morse from one of the old
monasteries in Syria, and used to this day by
the monks in celebration of st. John. The Or
cheStia VIII comprise sixty pieces increased by
an organ OF immense power. The musical di-
rector is Mr.. Fred Lyster. There will be chorus
of sixty voices.
Messrs. Eaves & Son will provide all the
dresses and properties under the personal su-
perysion of Mr.. Morse. They will be unlike
those at ODerammergau, which We're gotten up
for effect: every detail has been studied from
pictures and books They will be historically
correct in form and color. and will be instructive
TO the public. The properties now in process of
construction are to be most gorgeous the en-
tire ritual of the Temple in all it's ancient
spiendOr will be reproduced to Talmudic pre-
cision. Here will be shown the great Molten
Sea. bulls of gOld the ark of the covenant
with It's marvellous seraphimS the rams horn
accompaniment of the Leyites, and the sacri-
fetal altar. Within the famous Convent of the
HerOdlan Temple. the HerOdan diadem and
scepter VIII be presented with accurate correct
ness.
Mr.. Salm Morse, the author saws that it will
De substantially the same as that produced at
San Francisco, with slight alterations and i'm
proVements, SO as to bring it within reason
able time for production. 1t is totally different
from the Oberammergau version, being strictly
historical. and an endeavor to depict incidents
In the life of Christ reverently, correctly and in
true religious spirit. Nothing will he done
ne says, TO excite horror or to shock the sens-
tive nerves of the most fervent religonst 1t
will deal with the human attributes and the
mission OF Christ the Redeemer-not the Judge
The Oberammergau play dealt with the villiany
OF Judas, and was melOdramatic; this is essen
italy diddctic
II tried to write it in epic STYLE" Mr.. Morse
added. like Milton's Paradise LOST but the
description was so brilliant that it detracted
from the characters. / therefore changed it to
dramatic. in which style the whole Bible is
written"
Can you give synopsis of the play?"
Eyes; it is as fOlows:'
Act Presentation in the Temple Christ bless
ing little childrenl
Act II-Massacre OF the Innocents.
Act IIL-Death OF John the Baptist.
Act lV-By the Brook Of Kedron Christ sur
rounded by his dtscipleS)
Act V.-LOrd's Last Supper The Passion)
Act VI-The Gabbatha, or the Pavement Trial
before Pontius PiIate.)
"The arrangements cannot be completed be-
fore January, as the undertaking was So enor-
nous that it will be impossible to arrive at
that complet ness which l intended to attain.
The performer will all be amateurs, except a
few chorus LEAD and marshals of crowds. Mr..
Wannelnacher. who takes the part of the Naza-
rene. is the only one whose name will appear
on the program. No injunction Is expected
or feared; in fact it is considered that such a
step would be good advertisement | have
daily received heaps Of letters from clergymen
and others. of all denominations, with suopes-
tiOns and good wishes. l have no fear of per-
manent opposition, and expect that all diff
culties will disappear Immediately after the
first performance.
The cost of placing the passion Play" on the
stage In all its completeness will be over
S15O,OOO. 1t is not looked upon as profitable
speculation, and it will be surprising if it even
pays expenses.
Seif-Care While Nursing the Sick.
Tha fol from,