The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-03
THE AMUSEMENT SEASON.
WILSON'S MINsTRELS AND ADoNIs
DlXEY AT THE THEATER.
The "Little Tycoon" Comic Opera This
Week, to Be Followed by the Rehan
Comedy Company - Local Amuse-
ments-Stage Notes-Personals.

The past week at the theater was a pleas
urable one TO patrons. The Wilson Min
strels occupied the stage the first half and
the Rice Dixey Burlesque Company the
latter half, closing successful engage
ment last night before large audience.
"Adonis' is a laughable, varied and
brilliant production, and was duly appre-
cated by our theater-goers, who attended
in force during the brief engagement.
The Little Tycoon"
Tomorrow night and during the re-
mainder of the week, Willard Sponsors
popular comic OPERA Little Tycoon"
will be the attraction at the Memphis Thea
ter. twill be attractively mounted and cos
tuned, and will be produced by fine
company OF artists, and with an increased
orchestra force. Regular prices are charged
for seats, for which large sales are taking
place daily. Like many American authors,
Mr.. Spenser encountered many obstacles
and experienced great deal OF trouble
in having his opera produced. 1t
wat first submitted to Gilbert & Sui
liyan's agent Col. Morse, who took
the score and libretto to England.
1t remained in his keeping for seven
months, when il was returned with a let
ter stating that it was impossible TO secure
an English production for it. In the
meantime the "Mikado" was produced
and scored success. Author Spenser
openly accused the English authors Of
stealing the idea from 1.-THE Tycoon" He
at once set about to secure an American
production for the opera and took 1t to
Miles Il Barton of New York. They de-
liberated several weeks, but owing TO the
continued success OF Dixey at the Bijou
Theater Mr.. Spenscr was obliged to 20
elsewhere. Mr. John Duff was the next
manager TO whom it was offered. He
kept the manuscript for several weeks and
returned 1t without even looking at it,
Emma Abbott praised it very highly and
offered to buy Il outright, TO which Mr.
Spenser objected. Col McCaull next ex-
amined the opera When he heard how
it came to be written he commended that
portion Off in which the Japanese features
are introduced. The "Mikado" had notyet
been produced in England and Col. McCaull
saw an opportunity TO forestall it in this
country. Mr.. Spenser lett New York
hopeful Of seeing his opera presented I'M
der McCaulPs management, but the Colo
mel in the meantime had entered into an
arrangement with Gilbert q Sullivan by
which he became one OF their authorized
agents. ''Iho tycoon" was accordingly
refused. The eminent DIR. Damrosch, be-
fore his death, read it carefully and said
that it possessed orchestral qualities OF q
high character, which are entirely excep-
tional in American productions, major
ity Of which may sound well on piano,
but are not equal TO the larger require
inents. Frederick Archer, the well known
organist and musical critic, expressed sur
prise at Sponsors clever production OF
japanese music, and wondered more when
told that the author had never been out
side OF this country. Archer had trunk
ful OF japanese music. which he thought
was the only collection OF the sort in
America, ard he was therefore entitled
10 give an intelligent opinion in the
matter. A friend suggested 20 Spencer
to take his opera TO VIM. Singerly, the
Philadelphia newspaper man, who was
the owner Of the Temple Theater. Tho
music was played on the piano in the
parlors OF the Continental Hotel and on
the advice OF Mrs Singerly the Journal
list was induced TO put the opera on the
stage OF his thcatcr. When Mr.. Spenser
was asked what II would cost TO properly
produce the opera he replied $4,000.
II will spend $4,000" said Sngoriy.
The opera was put ON January 10, 1886,
and was played continuously for about
two years, after which il was taken to
New York, where II had a run OF 100
nights. Mr.. Spenser got the idea Of
The Tycoon" in a very novel manner.
A woll.known New York gentleman,
resident for a time in Japan, owned a
valuable steamship line in that Empire
which the government was anxious TO
possess and babe him name a selling figure.
II was very profitable, and lac did not wish
TO part with IL, aud 30 named figures far in
advance OF what he considered any would
be willing to pay for 1t. Ills offer. to
his surprise, was promptly accepted,
and besides he was made the recipient
Of many distinguished honors, numerous
serenadcs being rendered him in token OF
regard. Returning 10 New York and
meeting his friend Willard Spenser, and
knowing his ability rs a musical composer,
and his delight in anything novel In musi-
cal effect, described TO him most graphic
ally the pcculiariiics OF the scrcnadcs, OF
which lac was the victim. lie told him
how long horns were packed almost into
the window Of his dwelling, how the
musicians would send forth an car-piercing
blast, aud how then the notes would grad.
ually die away until all was still, when an
other shrill blast startled MIN. At that
time the japanese craze was displaying It's
first evidences, aud the idea entered Mr..
sponscr's head that a comic opera contain
ing japanese characters and some Japan
csc music would make bit So he wrote
an opera and called In "lhe Little Ty-
coon"
Rchan's comedy Company.
During the first three nights Of next
week, II, u and 10, Of the ,hcalcr Arthur