Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-21
The Opera of SeMiraHnide.
THE ARGUMENT.

The Opera Of "Samiramde," considered one of
the finest OF Rossni's compositions first pro-
duced at the Theater La Fenice, at Venice, during
the carnival of 1923. and the English public were
first made acquainted with It's beauties In the sea-
son OF 1924, at what was then denOminated His
Majestys Theater. From that time till the
present 1t has maintained possession OF the stage
as I. STOCK piece-the heroine. as in ''NOrma' be-
Ing one OF the characters that almost every prima
donna essays to shine in.
The opera opens during solemn festival In the
Temple OF Belus, In the ancient city OF Babylon
the Great, held for the purpose OF enabling Semi
ramls, the Queen OF Babylon and re1ct OF Minus,
lege, successor to the throne. /Assurus, prince
OF the blood royal, and deeply in the confidence of
the Queen, fully expects that her choice Will fall
on him; but she has determined in her own mind
to confer the dignity on ArsaceS a young officer,
the commander OF her armies, for whom-although
as unknown to him as to ali others but herself,
she has conceived passion AS the religious cere-
monies proceed a violent storm arises,-the sacred
fire is extinguished; and other Incidents occur,
as ill-onens. The Queen, however, would pro-
coed, but for the protesatons Of those about her,
who ultimately Induced her to wait till the arrival
of Arsaces, who, 1t appears, had been dispatched
TO the Oracle. and was expected back with the
answer. In due course ArsaceS arrives, bearing a
casket which he delivers to Oroe the chief of the
GUS on some points, dscloses the fact that the
late King had been cruelty murdered.
1t Is now necessary to explain that Arsaces is in
love with Arena, a princess OF the blood royal,
and that Assurus also aspres to her hand. In
this position Of affairs Semiramis again prepares
to nominate successor to the throne; prior to
doing which, to the establishment Of all, she de-
careS that the dignified with that honor shall
also become her husband; and thereupon she
names Arsaces, who vehemently reprobates the
choice, and pleads his love for AZema while
AssuruS, In demonstrating with Semramis, makes
dark illusions to some violated conf1dence-some
hidden compact-between them: from which the
audience learn that Minus has been poisoned by
ASsurus, at the instigation OF the Queen:
In the meantime, new OmenS alright the peODle
The tomb OF Minus flies Open his shade appears,
and summons Arsaces to follow him to his gloomy
abode, where Arsaces learns that MINUS, the son
OF Minus, still lives.
On his return he demonstrates with the priests
who are DESTROYS of investing him with the insig-
MIA OF Office, when he Is Informed by Oroe the
chief OF the Magi that he himself is the long lost
MINUS, and consequently the rightful heir to the
throne; AT the same time, Oroe apprises hin Of
the guilt OF Semiramis and Assurus, and, handing
to him his fathers sword calls upon him to ayenge
his fathers wrongs
This duty Arsaces willingly undertakes, as far
Assurus is concerned but he recoils at the idea
of becoming the punsher Of his mother, notwith-
standing that, still ignorant OF his being her son.
an interview he draws from his breast. and places
In her hand, paper written by Minus while in the
agonies OF death, IN which the crime of Semiramis
and her accOmplice Is revealed.
Sem1ramlS Is overwhelmed with remorse, and
Arsaces flially sympathistng with her sufferlngs
assures her OF his forgiveness; but armed with
his fathers sword, he pursues the murderer Assu-
rus even into the very recesses Of the tomb There
ne Is about to pierce him through, when Semira-
he
ness, passes between Them and receives the wea-
pom In her heart. Overcome with this unexpected
Ophe, Arsaces is about to plunge the sword
into his own bosom, when he Is prevented by the
Intervention of Oroe, in whose arms he faints
while Assurus is seized by the guards, and the cur.
tain falls.
THE CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT.--The musical
entertainment to be given Tomorrow night at the
congregational church will present an exceptional
superb and highly trained voice has placed her in
the front rank In Washington musical circles, will
appear, as Will also Miss Hattie Whiting, whose
superb contralto voice causes the Boston people
lwnere she Is now engaged) to look upon her as
the most likely successor 10 Miss Cary now in
America. These two distinguished performers
will be reinforced by large array Of other talent
The Courts.
CIRCUIT CoURT-Judge MacA Yth,er.
Yesterday, Waters agt Shoemaker; verdict for
plaintiff for s4,1s1.3O. Bronson agt Knapp; dis
continued by plaintiff. Roth agt Jouvenal' exc
cutor; non suits by plaintiff. Otterback agt,
Campbell; on hearing.
ea YESTERDAY, Bib6 a. Hsnter; sale finally rati
return OF deposit ordered: Lord agt Lord; testi-
mony before Rutledge Wilson ordered taken.
Ward agt. Ward; sale ratified nisi and cause re-
ferred to auditor. Provost agt Winter; reference
to auditor ordered Butler agt Scott; receiver o.
rected TO collect rents LaZenby agt LaZenby:
rule on defendant returnable February ~ granted:
Addicks agt Addicks; divorce vim mat, with SD
tlmony before john Craikshank ordered tak en-.
Evans agt Evans: testimony before Justice A.
Clarke ordered taken. Perrin agt. Perrin; tsti.
mony before b. I. Hanley ordered taken.
POLICE COURT-JtsdQe SHELL
Yesterday, Walter johnson, disorderly assembly:
personal bonds. Jas. B. Calian, loud and bolster.
ferrous; IS or is days. Jos Keeper, vagrancy: e
To-day, Malvin Bruce. Indecent exposure; 3 O,
10 days Jeremiah Burns. disorderly conduct; sc