New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-04


opera, playing small parts and usually making sue
Of every part that he undertook, until he at
tracted the attention OF Colonel John A. McCaull,
who engaged him leading comedian
| OF tho McCauu Opera Company. With the same sue
cess that marked all his efforts, Mr.. Wilson continued
with the McCaul company until Rudolph Aronson en-
gagged him for the Casino, where, as is we'll understood
he laid the foundation OF his theatrical prosperity As
Caddy in "Ermlnie,' General Faback In "Falka,"
sglsmund in Prince Methusalem' in which he sung
The Dotlet on the Eye" he became famous all
the country and Farragus, teacher Of music,
etiquette and dancing, in "Nady," he entertained thou
sands OF people.
When he made up his mind to become I" star I'M
der his management his friends shook their heads
and cndeavored to dissuade him. but he had his own
way His first attempt, as ii is well known, was the
oolah,' which he presented on elaborate scale
At first the opera was about as bad 1t could 70
but with his Characteristic energy and courage he
bound to make 1t success lie cut out useless and
dull dialogue and added more taking lines, and song
here and there, and also new finale for the second
act and after many weeks of hard rehearsing he gave
almost new opera, which afterward proved TO be a
| vertable gold mne FOR him.
Next he produced Gilbert & sullivan's "Gondoers"
at the Broad Street Theatre in Philadelphia lie did
not play the part allotted to the comedian, but took
the character of Giuseppe one OF the gondoers, and
made a decided hit In IL. His present opera "T7he
| Merry Monarch popular with the public from
the first night of its production and scarcely limo
note has been changed since the first performance
Mr.. Wilson as manager Is shrewd and far-seelng.
When he Is arranging for new opera he employs
the best and most experienced assistants lie can ind
10 aid him. but after the first week or so he assumes
the role of stage manager himself While on the stage
Mr. Wilson insists his people forming picturesque
groups as possible and he often says In an "Irish
whisper get out Of those straight lines groups,
| groups lndolcnt and inattcntive members OF his
company asked II they are AFFLICTED with rheumat-
ism and so he that sofa viii be provided for
their especial comfort behind the scenes This
casm has the desired effect "etrict attention 10 busl-
| ness" Is his motto and he enforces the rule
HIS home life is Just the opposite Of bis busy life
the stage When he goes homo at night he leaves all
care Of the theatre behind him. and devocs himself
to his family, which consists Of handsome wife and
| two pretty little girls, Frances and Adelaide, whose
| pictures shown herewith Frances. the elder. is
demurc little tot. She leaves all the taking to be
done 10 her sister, who takes after her papa to an
alarming extent. This little is often caught going
through some Of her fathers stage antics before the
large mirror In the pnrlor. When he demands an ex.
| PLANTATION she calmly Invites him to kiss her on her
/" Ansy wansy brow" After his New.York engAg cement
for Baltimore Mr. Wilson kissed the children goOd.by
and Adelaide asked him why he was going away.
SONG G9d @ 'as 4 G, ne &ds
grew tired Of having her papa away so long and ne
down to BALTIMORE and earn some bread and butter,
too.o
! Since Mr. Wilson returned from the road last
spring he has occupied his beautiful new house at
| New-Rochcllc. This house has been his pride and
ambition since he began building II over year ago.
OF the colonial style OF architecture with broad
lighted by window OF stained glass On the TOP floor
he has theatre constructed with seating capacity
of about $50, with lights dressing rooms, etc
complete. Up 10 the present time the stage has only
been used by his children, who take great delight in
giving recitations and running on and OF the stage
into the dressingrOoms. The dressnfrooms Ore fitted
up with all the modern improvements, intending bath
built and decorated IN intuition Of q tent with slk
| draperes and steamers. Mr.. Wilson'S fav0rite rooms
are LIS library, and room which he calls his don.
On the floor Of the latter Is rag carpet which was
made by his mother and little girls and he is very
proud OF 1t. lie has furnished 1t With odd bits OF old
fashioned furniture an1 odds and ends which he has
collected at various times bis travels. Ills library
| u the snme material. md they contain over 500
volumes and manuscripts many Of them being old and
valuable. He IS student, ana spends a great deal
OF his time while NJ home ia HE library. While he
| Was abroad last Jrar he sent home many valuable
paintings and etetinss by wclfnovn artists he is .
farmer on a limited sese, having we'll stocked chicken
yaIe, horses SRd carriages OF course 10 SAY nothing
Of the jersey COW which IL called "Darnoova,- the
narne Of the hcroins In the ooiah." A g. Bernard
front lawn mushrooms TO be found in largo guam
| titles.
| While Mr. Wilson acknowledges that he /. a full
dcdged farmer he declares that he does not belong 10
| the Farmers Alliance.
| The Broadway Theatre win be renovated and re.
decorated throughout TO receive Mr. Wilson when he
! makes his bow once more tomorrow night.