The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-23
A GREAT MUSICAL EVENT.
The Approaching Visit of the American
Opera Company to Indianapolis.
4 Wonderful Musical Organization and It's
High Purposes-The Local Amusement
Attractions This Week-Stage Notes.

house, June 7and 8, under the auspices OF the
Strand Army Of the Republic, OF the American
Opera Company will be unquestionably the
xreatese musical event ever known In the city
While 1t is known that the performances will be
In every way remarkable and brilliant with
great ensemble Of over three hundred people,
including Theodore Thomas's unrivaled orches-
ira of sixty five musicians, the prime mo
tive Of the organization Of this enter
prise should not be forgotten The idea
Of giving grand operas Of the great masters IN
English with American artists originated with
Mrs jeanette NJ Thurber. of New York. Mrs
Thurber for a number of years has contributed
largely of her private fortune in assisting Amer
ican musicians Of talent, but scant means, In
pursuing their musical studies, and also in con-
tributing largely from her ever-ready purse to
the success of large musical enterprises and to
establish interest in the progress of musical art
in this country. 1t was by direct result of her
active interest and good Judgment that the
American School Of Opera was instituted; and
by her pecuniary assistance has the school been
enabled to live and become an established sue
cess In order to extend the field for American
artists beyond that offered by occasional
sratorios and festivals and to create
wider interest by the American
public In high-class music, the broad conception
Of distinctly American company endowed with
ali the wealth and talent necessary to brilliant
success. was organized. Foryears the production
of grand opera In America has been in the hands
of foreigners. Foreign impressarios, foreign
singers and foreign tongues have been made use
of in this country to the almost utter exclusion
Of native people, Foreign stars have demanded
and received such large proportion of the pro-
eeeds of operate performances that 1t was i'm
possible for managers even though charging
and receiving extrayagant prices for seats
TO properly equip and to furnish really good com
panies and orchestras throughout. Thus tue
rigid economy compelled was disastrous in effect
On the general character of the performances
The high-priced. high voiced prima donna and
the phenomenal high @ tenor from abroad can
have no part in what is truly American. Mrs
Thurber's good judgment and liberality, assisted
by fifty gentlemen and ladies OF nation
oil reputation and great wealth, have
made en- semble grand opera possible in
this country. American talent had been
discovered deserving of such opportunity and the
active, enthusiastic cooperation OF Theodore
Thomas made possible success an absolute fact.
Mr.. Charles e. Locke was chosen to undertake
the active management of this enterprise. His
well known executive ability finds full scope in
field SO broad as this
The advent of this American Opera Company
marks new era in the history of this country.
It proves to the world that America is not be-
hind, but rather in advance of the other nations.
hnd has set to rest all question and developed
The fact that grand opera sung in English ia far
more acceptable to American audiences than
when rendered in a foreign tongue.
Season tickets will be on sale at the box Office
of English's Opera house, commencing next Fri
day, with choice of best seats. The sale Of sim
gle performance reserves begins the following
Monday
THE LOCAL ATTRACTIONS THIS WEEK
On account of the good impression made by
Professor Harrisons illustrated art lectures at
the Grand it has been decided to continue this
course through apart of next week SO that every
body may have an opportunity to attend the enter
tainments. Tonight a description and illustration
Of the Holy Land and famous Bible scenes will
be given. For tomorrow night, Italy, Venice,
Rome and the Vatican" very interesting sub
1ect, is underlined On Tuesday evening, Eng
land, Ireland and Scotland" will be repeated.
and the series will conclude on Wednesday even
ing with London Rome and Paris" Season
tickets will be sold for 81, good for five perform
ances, singly OF together.
After the Harrison lectures. the Grand will be
closed until the 31st inst. when the Grand
Spring Uncle Toms Cabin Festival will be in
augurated for week, at cheap prices by the
DRAPER company, who advertise Everything
Aouble, but the prices"
Mile Christine probably the most interesting
and remarkable freak of nature ever exhibited
will be at the Museum this week. She is known
as the double headed girl. and, though otherwise
perfectly made, has two perfect and well-shaped
heads. She is really double-headed woman,
made so by nature not by the illusionist. In
the theater will be strong speciality combina-
tion, together with Joseph Phaitess London
Patomime Company The programme is one of
Unusual merit.
The ninth public entertainment of the Indian
Rpolis School of Elocution and Oratory will take
place at EnglisE's Opera house, on next Wednes-
day evening, under the direction of Prof T. j.
McAvoy, assisted by his pupils and the finest
musical talent in the city. The programme en-
braces a cornet solo by Mr. ]. B. Cameron, reci-
tations by Lennie Aleman, Miss Hattie Ludlow,
J. r. Morgan, Miss Lizzie Dewitt Mrs N. K
Mrs. N. G. Tindall, j. j. Morgan, Mrs. r. NJ.
Cain, of Kokomo; Miss Katie Burnsides, Berthe
Feibleman, Miss Grace Whitridge, T. j. Nc
Avoy, and Miss Mary Bates, of Liberty; solo
by Mr.. Andy Smith, a solo by Mrs. DeWolf, and
duet by Mr.. and Mrs DeWolf.
NOTES OF STAGE GOSSIP.
Saturday Herald: A South-side sign reads:
''For Gods sake look On the other side" The
Dther side reads go to the Zoo"
1t is said in Paris that Sarah Bernhardt is in
1ustriously studying the English language in
order to star in America when she becomes DID,
An entertainment will be given by the Early
blessing Association at Pfaffiins Hall, on Tuesday
hight. The programme arranged for the occa-
hon embraces many very interesting features
Henry Irving is shortly to deliver four lectures
On English Actors" at Oxford, England. This
ID the first time since the days of Queen Eliza
beth that any actor has lectured in the great
university.
The banns for PATHS marriage to Eicolini
have been published in London. and the vocal
pair will be made one at the French consulate
June z, after which they will proceed to PATHS
Welsh castle. and will entertain six hundred in-
sited guests
Charles A. Chizzola, manager of Salyini's re-
cent tour, has brought suit against the famous
actor to compel him to pay share of the losses
Of his past season. According to the contract