Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-20
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.

1.-The Messiah" will be performed at
Christmas by the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Society. The following artists have
been engaged for the solos: Mrs. Osgood,
Emily Winant, George Wcrrcnrath and J.
f. Winch
young Miss Winthrop" has proven a
great popular as well as literary success at
the Madison Square. The management con-
slider that the play is certain TO iun until
February |, when new piece will he pro.
duced. There is quite collection of new
plays in the Madison Square Theatre safe
by Mr.. Ned Marsdcn. Sir Randall Roberts
and others. and Mr.. David Belasco is 10 add
to the number He has just commenced
work on a new domestic drama, which is to
be delivered within three months. 1t is no,
yet decided which play will be selected for
production in February
At meeting Of the Cincinnati Dramatic
Festival Association last Friday it was an.
nounced that the festival would be- held in
Music Hall, beginning on the Both of April
next, and continuing for one week, with
nightly performances and matinces on We'd
ncsday and Saturday. 1t was also anuoun-
ced that for these performances the services
of wel-known actots and actresses and their
companies had either been engaged or were
being negotiated for. The plays selected are
Julius Crsar," "Evadnc," "Othelo,"
Romeo aud Juliet, THE llunchback" and
"Richeleu' or ''Nirginius.
The receipts of the Birmingham Musical
Festival have been increased by gifts to near
~ 10000 with one exception the highest
amount ever realized at these affairs, the
profits of which are devoted to the mainte-
nance of the local hospital Accoring to the
London Figaro the festival committee invit-
ed Sir Michael Costa to conduct a special
performance of his oratorio, Ell, as com.
pliment to the veteran musician, who will
probably retire from the direction of the
festivals after continuous service since
1Si0.
Near Carthage, in lonely spot rarely visit
ed sleeps a wandering minstrel of our own
times, whose one immortal song has been
heard everywhere the English language is
spoken. Like the rowing singers of lovely
Provence, many times he had nothing but his
harp. john Howard Payne was gay b.
hemian, cX,ravagant in taste, lavish in en-
penditurc, living much, too much, mid
pleasures and palaces" yet with vein of
sadness down deep in his heart. lie died
while holding the Office of consul, aud plain
marble slab, sent out by the Government of
the United States. marks the grave Of the
homeless man, sixty years II wandering on
this earth. the author of "IIome, Sweet
Home" One Winter he was without money
or credit, and in London had not where TO
lay his head lie tried to quiet the pain of
hunger and homclessness by looking in at the
windows and from the areas seeming good
cheer. 1t was Christmas Eve, the snow fell
fast, the wind was sbap and keen. At one
luxurious house the hungry man stopped and
watched the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Its candles strcamed brightly on the pave
ment, and among the evergreens he could see
the red berries of holly, the toys and gar
lands, aud the pretty heads of children.
They danced and clapped their hands while
the presents were distributed, and the mir
rang with shouts, laughter, and screams OF
delight. When the meiriment had spent
itself n little, one young girl went to the
piano aud struck up "Sweet Home" while
the family joined in n rousing chorus Was
ever contrast so bitter? have this from
Mrs. Consul-General Heap. Payne told it to
her long after those evil days were passed. -
Men York Independem