Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-24
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS IN NEW
YORK AT PRESENT.
The German Opera-Booth and Modjeska
Charles Wyndham, Clara Morris
and dAgnes Booth-stage Notes.

The German Opera-Booth and Modjesks
Charles Wyndham, Clara Morris
and Agnes Booth-Stage Notes.
Rosalind May, the regular New York
correspondent Of the heSUNDAY UNION, writes
as follows about the companies now enter
tanning the Gothamites:
Everyone looks forward with expeeta-
ton to the opening of German opera at
the Metropolitan on the 9th of this
month. The fashionable season thus IN
augurated gives promise of brilliancy, and
while opera, when worthily presented,
must always take precedence in musical en-
terprises, yet, judging from the interest
shown in an initial rehearsal and concert
by the Symphony Society and in promised
oratorio performances, there is ample room
for good work outside of the lyric drama.
"The Flying Dutchman" has been selected
for the first night of opera. to be succeeded
by "The Queen of Sheba," "Don Giovanni"
and al Trovatore." Thus it will be seen
that German opera is not entirely Ger
man. The demand for something of diff
ferent character is too strong for resistance,
and old Italian favorites, even if injured
by an unmrsical language, must be ac-
corded the public craving, until full frui-
ton is reached in the spring, on the ad-
vent of Adelina Patti.
YOUNG OTTO HEGNER
Has proved trump card; critics accord
him the highest praise as to memory and
execution, and agree for once that his
power of expression is yet more remark
able. Evidently the little fellow feels his
work, and is as much delighted to play as
his audiences to listen. Praise when be-
slowed on child pianist must always, of
course, be comparative, but he has now
taken a most enviable stand, and will
prove strong attraction wherever he may
go. Mrs. Pemberton Hincks, who assists,
is beneath criticism, but the Beethoven
stringed quartet are quite enjoyable. On
Monday evening, the 18th, the renowned
violin virtuoso Savasate, and the famous
pianist DAlbert, make their first appear
ance at the Metropolitan, where they will
be assisted by an orchestra of one hundred
and ten musicians under the direction Of
Walter Damroseh.
"HAMLET"
Is played this week at the Broadway The
ater. 1t is worthy of the two great artists
whose names have drawn admiring audi
ences, and than this no higher praise is
possible. Booths "Hamlet" has gone on
record as perfect work, and to say that
his present performances equal those of
the past, is to say all of which language is
capable. Nine. Modjeska's Ophelia is a
picture to her Rosalind and
her Portia, differing from both in giving
for gentle girlishness, while
in the mad scenes her genius finds scope
for portrayal most truthful and pathetic,
while tinged with the attractive romance
which a lovely woman only can impart.
Next week Macbeth is given, and extreme
interest is felt as to Modjeska's interpreta-
tion of the famed murderess, a part so
prominently burlesqued last winter.
CHARLES wINDHAM
Is having successful engagement at Pal
mer's Theater, and this is not surprising,
since he is quite favorite here and was
very warmly greeted. 'Daniel Garrick"
and "The Candidates are the two pieces so
far chosen. Miss May Moore, the leading
lady, is certainly very pretty and pleas
ing. Wilson Barrett and Miss Eastlake
play tragedy at the Fifth Avenue Theater,
the opening piece, "Ben-my-chree," hav-
ing been so well received that it will be
continued this week. The play has those
strong situations necessary to bring out an
actors abilities, and it is high praise to
say that Mr.. Barrett appeared to better
advantage as the plot became more tragic.
The same can be said of Miss Eastlake,
whose depth and spontaneity are beyond
question. The scenery is noticeably fine.
CLARA MORRIS
In her new piece, 'Helene," met the cor
dial reception at the Union Square that
she has a right to expect. The play is well
suited to her fine capacities for the por-
trayal of intense and conflicting emotions,
and will be witnessed with interest wher-
ever given. "Aunt Jack" at the Madison
square Theater is established for the win
ter. Full of fun from beginning to end,
its popularity increases all the while and
it well repays more than one visit. The
chief weight of the piece rests, of course,
on Mrs. Agnes Booth, and she plays now
with finish which experience only can
give, proving herself as admirable in COM
edy as in tragedy, where her abilities have
long ago been conceded as of the highest
order. Ladies who wish to study dress
are attracted by the beautiful costumes,
since Mr.. Palmer hesitates not at dress
makers bills, and the gowns are really
worth the study of tasteful women.
DISPENSING WITH STARS.
The principle carried out at the Com
edie Franchise is that of sacrificing
nothing to the ''stars." as has been proved
when Sarah Bernhardt and Coquelin were
so easily allowed to depart, and it has
often been noticed that deserters lose con-
as regards high art, when they
which are so undeniably useful as re-
straint to erratic genius. 1t has been OBJ
jected that the Comedie Francaise is too
artificial and conventional 1t is certainly
both, but Is not the stage necessarily con-
ventional? Stage nature is not the real
nature of everyday life; and when the
latter strays away into anything resem-
bling the former there is an immediate
and involuntary sense of the theatrical"
which at once marks the difference The
effect of perspective-the surrounding at
mosphere- be taken into consideration
and it has often been asserted by competent
judges that what would be really natural
would not seem natural on the stage. The
object of the latter is to remove the spec
tator on to enchanted ground, giving him
the delusion of reality; and this is accom-
plished to perfection at the Comedie Fran
caise. What is seen there may not repre-
sent what really is, but everyone will
think that it ought to be. We never meet
such charming people in the world-but,
then, why is the world so commonplace
1t is delightful to forget it for while; but
only when nothing out of place, or jarring
on ones feelings, suddenly calls one back
to reality by revealing the strings that
play, as too often occurs in most theatrical
performances, and never happens at the
Comedie Francaise. The working there is
so perfect that only when the curtain falls
and all is over does one awaken to the per-
ception that one has been living in dream
land very pleasant place that one is
10th to leave.-Murrays Magazine.
crAcE NOTES