Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-18
.aeg law len nal 70 aceon.plish ta.s Ca. the

they hsv leu nel TO accomplish GA-s ieEa1' Ihe
l.eXt step is taken.
''After the curtain goes up," says the stage
manager, you sing the first elShe par5 III
those positions; then you turn toward enc
another, each toward the next person. ana
make this gesture. [illustrating.l Now, 1e'
me see you 90 that"
They attempt TO DO it.
''Ub, 10, that's not q bit like it. Don't
move as If you were made of lot of sticks
on hinges; bend q little like this. LIlIustrar-
ing.] Now Try it agaia."
They try again.
s'stop! stop! that's worse than befsre. Now
you're all acting as if you were made Of rue
ber This isn't u circus"
They try it again AMI this time do it beau
tifully.
.sWeu, that's little better; but to-.nor-
row, il you don't do that properly, hang mo
if don't keep you at it till 6 O'clock"
When the chorus has thoroughly learned
the business OF the first number they are
made to walk through it several times witt"
out any music. Then, if they perform to the
stage managers satisfaction, they are re-
CURED to so through it several times Again
he asks them if they can remember that until
the next day They answer that they ca.n
and he repeats the direful threat about &
O'CLOCK The principals are instructed III q
similar manner. The stage manager, how
ever, allows them a little more liberty and
treats them ia more friendly manner.
Don't you think it would be more etfec-
tive Ii did that this waysn asks the como
dian.
''I.et me see it. Yes, that's good enough.
Do it that way, il you like, old boy"
The stage manager is in constant c0nsllfil-
ton with the conductor during these rehear-
sals in order that he may not introduce any
business that viii Interfere with the music.
When the people appear 10 be all perfect n
the first acc OF the opera another notice Soei
up in the bulletin case:
"Can-Principals, chorus. and orchestra
tomorrow at II q. Ii. sharp
At this rehearsal things generally so tc
pieces. The blars OF brass upsets Che shoru:
| people, and t,ley become hopeles.jly mixed il
the movements accompanying the opening
! chorus Some q them stop singing and en-
| deavor to direct the others, and dire con
fusion reigns In the midst Of it al tae Voic'
| Of the stage manager taundeZS out:
| "Stop! Go backl"
| And they are obliged to begin over. I
they fail 60 do it properly this time they ar
made to walk. through ii without the music
and this familiar exercise Gains their troubled
nerves This Is perhaps TIE first time tina
tho chorus HIS worried with III
! principals, and they begin to see q meaninG
! in thelr own movements. About three week
of this kind Of rehearsing, mostly wit
piano accompaniment, are required 10 &c
the opera in shape for presentation
In tao meantime the stage manage
has selected each persons costume
and the wardrobe women are engaged i'll I'll
ting them. Finally, the night before TIA
opera is to be produced a dress rehearsal
called This is simply performance to wAic
the public is not admitted, and which IL
stage manager has the privilege of occasion
ally interrupting with his unpleasant cry
''Gcto bacllI' The- setting OF the scenery an
the arrangement II heights is sometimes lei
until this rehearsal, though it is usually trie
before The stage hands need to become f;
niiiar with the handling Of the scenes
order to avoid long waits between the acts Q
the opening night Tie artist and tho g;
engineer must arrange the lights SO that Il
scenery viii he displayed to advantage sd
no u o easant or inartistic STA lows secl
The dress rehearsal is tie last work done
tie company before the first performance, K
they 90 not renaarse on the day Of the oQe1
: ing, bu5 save their energies for the atCack c
the pu0iic il the evening.