Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-19
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
BEFORE THE FOOTLIGHTS AT THE
NATIONAL METROPOLIS.
Stars that Shine and So Called
Stars that Enjoy Only
the Name.
Correspondence of the RrcoRD-uS1os.l

correspondence OF the REC0RD-UNI0N.l
New YORK, January TO- 1889.
In music, Das Rheingold," at the Met
ropolitan Opera House, is the most notable
event, and draws crowded houses. 1t is
peculiar work, being without chorus or
ballet, and devoid of any human interest.
Such want is atoned for by a succession of
weird and beautiful pictures, while in
place of ideal men and women, COLLINS,
dwarfs, spirits of i'll, heather gods and
giants occupy the stage, requiring the best
efforts of almost the entire corps of prin-
cipal singers, Fischer and Alvary being
most prominent. The music is highly ex-
pressive of the sentiments portrayed, and
changing perpetually therefore, is occa-
sionally more as if from another world
than this mundane sphere.
The first of the Thomas orchestral con-
certs passed off well, but without special
addition to the conductors fame and on
the same evening, in spite of bad weather,
third opportunity was given to show
how near to the hearts of New Workers
Anton Seidl has come. Three of the de.
lightful series of five concerts arranged for
the season have taken place, and each has
been cause for congratulation to lovers of
really good music. Rosenthal, the great
pianist, who delighted, during the holi-
days, is here no longer, nor can anyone fill
his place. This week the management
has resorted to
A DRY-GOODS EXHIBITION
And the spectacular. As dry-goods
exhibition and spectacular performance
the show OF Antony and Cleopatra" or
more properly the surroundings of those
personages, draws curious audiences. Is it
a modern improvement that Cleo
patra of the lean and lanky kind is pre-
sented? 1t seems an irony indeed that
Mrs. Langtry, who is always handsome
picture, should distort her pretty features
as Lady Macbeth, while in physique, at
least, she might prove an ideal Cleopatra,
and that Mrs. Potter, who in bony outline
might bear semblance to woman plotting
murder, should endeavor to simulate the
voluptuous Queen who brought Rome's
Generals to her feet. Respect for re-
fined family deters from too minute criti-
cism of form to which every attribute of
feminine beauty is wanting. Her face, if
seen behind counter. would be called
passable; belonging to society woman, it
has been dubbed pretty.
Mrs. Langtry, as the famed murderess,
does not greet our vision till next week.
At present she plays ga Wife's PERIL"
goes nicely through the not very difficult
part, and is always captivatingly pretty
woman. In contrast to the above one
turns for consolation to the
DRAMATIC FIRE OF MARGARET MATHER
And the graceful spontaneity of young
Elsie Leslie, who as Little Lord Fauntle-
ROY, challenges the admiration of the city
With Margaret Mather all are familiar,
and the successive portrayals by which we
have been favored during her too short
stay at Niblo's have been marked by a
grace, intelligence and depth of feeling
worthy of herself Crudities disappear
with experience, while this season she is
prettier than ever, because stouter than
formerly. Elsie Leslie, as Little Lord
Fauntleroy, is delightful, never stacy,
bearing lightly the burden of an entire
play, and waiting to captivated audiences
her own continual freshness. More remark
able than any action, however, is her facial
expression when listening. She under
stands what some of her elders NOTABLY
Mrs Potter might learn to advantage
how to keep still. 1t is here that true
dramatic instinct finds its best opportunity
and here it is, perhaps, after all, that this
extraordinary child is seen to best ad-
vantage.
This week the "Lottery of Love- at
Days gives way to "The Inconstant"
Louis james and Marie Wainwright Sue
coed charming Annie Pixley in "Yara"
and "The Deacon's Daughter at the Star,
and in two weeks, "Nadjy" will take the
place of 'The Yeomen of the Guard" at
the Casino. RosALIND MAY.