Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
The Programme.

WITH her old company. old operas, old cos
tunes and old way of doing things, there
would be little to say new of Emma Abbott's
season of grand English opera at the Bijou
this week. But with company newly re-
organized in parts. new operas new costumes
and mounting the old array of artists some-
what heightened by additions herself in more
brilliant voice than ever, etc., there is much to
say of Miss Abbott's coming The repertoire
ITSELF at the outset, presents novelties in opera
novelties by reason of rare presentation, that
give it lustre. "Ernani," the opening opera
for tomorrow evening" is intrinsically a great
work. 1t requires noble treatment however,
to be properly produced Following "Ernani,"
there there will come in order during the week,
of CASTLE" I'll Trovatore," !" Norma, +" Romeo
and Juliet" and martha" i" with Miss Abbott in
the cast every evening. She will also sing
the part of Juliet at the Saturday matinee.
Each opera seems to present attractive
features essentially its own, as "Ernani" for its
nobility of subject, range and scope and
Romeo and Juliet" unique, exquisite, the
perfection of lyric aside from its pathetic but
time-worn story Rose OF CASTLE" stands alone
for the splendor of its Castilian surroundings
and scenes in one of the proudest courts of the
then Europe. None need to be told Of the
others, with, possibly, the exception of Grown
Diamonds" brilliant romance of Portuguese
evolving, and concerning the beautiful
Princess and Queen, Catarina. 1t is said that
tneSe operas are luXur1antly dressed, by Miss
Abbott in particular, who presents a wardrobe
created within a few months by Worth and
Felix, Paris. and at fabulous cost. The
strength of Abbott opera, however. so tits
claimed lies not SO much in dress and acces-
sorry as IN the vocal and orchestral opulence of
the organization. The company is said to have
been reorganized on plane that makes it pos
sible to outrank any now in the field of English
opera. 'Ernani" offers fair test of this claim
and there will doubtless be good deal of curl
osity to see how nearly the claim will be full
filled tomorrow evening. The management
speak with confidence, however, and court the
trial. Philadelphia and Brooklyn. Washington
and Baltimore and other cities have witnessed
the test, and enthusiastically awarded the ver-
dict that the claim was made good-and more.
THE attraction at Harris Theater this week,
will be Shook and Golfers military drama
"The Blue and the Gray.' The story of the
piece is as follows: Mark Stanley. a young New
Englander, enlists in the Federal army, and
after the capture of New Orleans, is detailed
to capture Colonel Peyton, a notorious guerrilla,
whose plantation the Federal troops have oc-
cupied. Here Mark, now captain, meets and
loves the colonel's only daughter Ruth Pey-
ton. Her father is captured and is condemned
to be shot. Ruth begs Mark to allow him to
escape promising to become his wife # he will
do so. Mark refuses. The escape of Colonel
Peyton is, however, accomplished bv South
ern spy who disguises himself in Captain Stan
ley'S uniform, and Ruth believes that Mark
as the escape of Colonel Peyton is known, sus-
pIcions fall upon Ruth and she is arrested.
Colonel PeytOn. after his escape, attacks the
Union force under Mark. In the battle that
follows, Mark is wounded and is about to be
slam when Ruth saves his life by proclaiming
him as her husband. The last act is laid in the
old New England home where Mark, who is
now blind from the effects of his wounds, is
about to be turned out of his home with his old
mother and sister Mary, by an avaricious
money lender. Mark and his mother and Mary
go to plead with the Squire for more time, and
during their absence, Ruth appears, learns of
the situation, pays off the mortgage, meets |
Mark on his arrival, and the curtain falls on
The Blue and the Gray" united at last.
THE only approach to novelty in the theaters
next week will be Sardou's romantic drama,
"The Exiles," which is to be produced in an |
elaborate manner by the Boston Theater Com
pany at the Grand Opera House, commencing |
with a matinee tomorrow (St. Patrick's Day.. |
The story of the play, which is romantic and |
exciting, treats of Russian life and the terrors
OF Siberia, now especially interesting on ac- |
count of the exposure recently made by George |
Kennan. the explorer and lecturer. of the in
human crueltes practiced by order of the |
autocracy in that ice-bound land. The play is |
said to be OF intense interest, and one which in |
this day of great stage possibilities, offers ex-
cellent opportunities for the art of the scene |
painter stage mechanic and realist in general |
which we are assured has been taken advantage |
of; and a magnificent spectacular production |
may be looked for, The confagration scene in