Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-13
The Programme.

An unusual interest attaches to the pc
formance of "The Brigands," at the Gran
Opera House tomorrow night, for man
reasons. This is one Of the brightest. mo.
tuneful and interesting of any Of jacques O.
fenbach's works, and certainly ranks with th
the best of the comic operas of to-day. Thoug
this opera was written 20 years ago, it has ha
but one production in this country. and that
1870 at the Grand Opera House, New forl
then under the Jim Fisk regime In chattin
with Stage Manager Freeman, who has ii
| vented and introduced so much of the stag
business that has helped to place this opera i
the front rank of successes, and who arrived i
this city last Friday to perfect the arrange
ments and rehearsal of the orchestra and stag
| business for the production tomorrow night
| he spoke in the most enthusiastic manner o
the prodigal expenditure made by Manage
| Aronson in the mounting, staging and costum
| ing of this opera, and expressed perfect conf
dence in the Endorsement OF the P1ttsburi
stage pictures rival any that have before beel
known in comic opera productions in this coun
try, not excepting the spectacular presenta
tions of Fisk regime. Certain liberties havt
been taken with the original stage directions
and with the score of the opera, but none bu
what give added interest and value to the pro
duction. The story is written in w. y. Gil
bert's happier vein Of humor, and is as follows
THE ARGUMENT-Fslsacappa chief Of
recherche band of Italian brigands, has lovely
daughter, Fiorella. A young farmer, Frageo.
% during professions I visit Of the brisands to his
house, led by his infatuation. joins the robber
ssd be n dpoEer % Duke o
Duke, in the absence of the brigands, strays into
their camp and is assisted to escape by Fiorella.
Falsacappa learns from papers in possession OF
the captured courier that the Princess of Grenada
betrothed to the Duke, is on her way to his
at wayside inn, the Princess and the escort sent
to receive her, and having substituted portrait
as sse ana
found upon the courier the latter allowed to 60
upon his way. The brigands, led by Falsacappa,
wants. and assuming their characters, receive and
imprison in the inn both the Princess and the es-
themselves as the Princess and her party, the ban
dts then repair to the Dukes palace, with the
n SS tSer ot ne qTe nv
timely arrival of the real Princess and her retinue
The Duke, however, in gratitude to Fiorella for
upon promise of reformat alton, permits the bandits
to depart In peace.
The scenes being laid in Spain and Italy. per-
mits of many changes and opportunities for
beautiful colorings Of which Mr.. Aronson has
taken every advantage. The first act repre-.
sents mountain pass in Calabria, with distant
view Of Salerno and the ruins of an old Spanish
castle. The second act is that of wayside
inn, and something entirely new in the way of
stage at every performance. 1t is two stories
high, and action goes on on both floors, while
to the left of the house is vineyard. with
many vines growing, upon which there are
q new illuminated scene called Lasenda and
Pearl solon, painted by Mr.. Henry Hoyt and Is
said TO be far more gorgeous than the famous
pink ball room scene in "Erminie" The COS
tuning is unquestionably the most gorgeous
ever seen in an operate production. There are
four changes of dress which require nearly 500
costumes and it is said that one rarely sees
such exquisite taste displayed, harmonious in
color, rich in material and never gaudy in
effect. A feature of the third act is the Span
ish dance by ballet of 40 young and pretty
girls, which is soon to become as popular as the
famous ''Nadjy' ballet The entire production
is under the direction of Mr.. Max Freeman
and Musical Director Mr.. Gustave Kerker.
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Firoella, the Brigand's Daughter. Lillian Russell
Adolph De VailadOiid, her Favorife Pags...9 nAf'
ssiS1Sa Sl$i
joseph Antonio. Treasurer to the Duke Of -'--
o.ntan Ma0fqs of Ea6 6a1T6 LpSs
Count Of Gloria Cassis, Chamberlain to the
Baron of Of .e0ni
Carmagnola.. l......Charles Renwick
sarOaTanO. :. Bris.nds :."...........FTsd Hsil
Cecco..... 80. ................ Il. Hall
..-....... Henry Vogel
PipO, the fnnkeepsf:......:.....: Charles Thomas
Fiametta Dec. Della Stacey
Blanca Italian Peasant Girls Laura Russell
Zerlina... >Aiice Greenway
Pipa......l )......Nllie Douglas
Pipetta. ......... Eva Johns
Petipa. N " ~ isidors Brsnscomb
Petipetta.) go. Clara Randall
Director Of Music, Mr.. Gustaye Kerker.
A RARE dramatic treat is offered the theater.
goers Of this city in the production next week
1t the Bijou Theater, of Sydney Rosenfeld's
amusing satire "a Possible Case" The play
was given here last season and made big hit,
IN fact was generally classed as one of the
notable events Of the past dramatic season. and
its return is almost sure to be hailed with de-
light by all lovers Of pure, clean comedy, and
acting Of the highest order. It was admirably
staged, and nothing was left undone in all the
1etails OF the mimic art, to give Rosenfeld's
novel and original theme perfect presentation
and the result was one of the most delightful
Of its kind ever given in this
city. The subject is one that always has a
charm, and is most skillfully handled by the
author. The basis of the plot it will be remem-
0ered, is the legal complications of several
and enforced desertions occurring
n different places and under different laws, the
plot dealing particularly with the law of deser-
ion in the State of New York. The PLAY pre-
'ents remarkable variety of character in the |
,ast and each one is given almost equal promi- |
always S nA holds tRs ay attention ssS5 gd a6s
,rovokes the mirth :of the audience. Re |
,arding the company the following from the |
Baltimore American gives an idea Of the cast |
IS made up for this seasons work: 'The cast |
s excellent. The star character-Otto BTincE. |
rhof-is taken by the popular Baltimorean,
4. A. Kennedy, who has in this part dupli.
ated his earlier success as C0tternoLe In the |
Private Secretary" There is something |
bout Kennedy which reminds one of Crane,
hough he has an originality of manner which |
'elongs to himself. His reception last night |
vas very cordial and his acting delightful. |
diss Helen Russell was charming as Violet |
dendozd and made decidedly pleasing i'm |
ression as the three-times married wife. Her
haracter requires rare skill and this lies to a |
considerable extent in coneealing it. She gives
very finished piece Of acting, and her toilets,
90. were quite charming. Miss Belle Archer
another popular Baltimore favorite, who ac-
uits herself with rare credit as GLddus the
irl who has determined to study law, and in
ested that character with fascinating fresh
character very much like that in which he
lade a hit in "The Wife," and plays 1t with
quail success. Miss Henrietta Lander and
lessrs. Hansel, Charles Dickson and Edwin 81
elknap also deserve creditable mention"
THE Worlds Museum, Federal street, Allie
heny. offers an immense programme this
eek. It includes besides the regular attrac.
ons of museum genuine full-fedged circus.
lid to contain all the features Of menagerie
nd hippodrome. There will be real saw
ust ring, red lemonade, clowns ringmasters.
srial artists, acrobats, equilibr1sts and
lmblers. The circus is the DrOpeffv of Mr |