Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-26
TELEGRAMS TO THE Star
LONDON CHRISTMAS TOPICS.
Musical and Dramatic Notes Cabled From
the English Metropolis.

the English Metropolis
TIE PRINCE OF WALES ATTENDS A SMOKER
WAS An ARTISTIC SUCCESS PLAY THAT
THE PIT HIssED-RuDYARD KIPLISG TO WE'D
MISS BALEsTIEE-sTRAUss' NEW OPERA
LONDON, Dec. 26.-The Prince Of Wales was
present on Tuesday at the Stock Exchange
Orchestral Society's smoker" which was given
In Princess Hall This society was formed in
1883 by q number of amateurs Of musical
tastes connected with the London stock ex-
change. II has been very successful and has
now attained leading position among the
many amateur musical societies OF this city.
Among the other distinguished guests present
at the smoker the Duke of Cam
bridge. the Duke of Clarence, the
Duke of Fife, Prince Edward of SAKE
weimer end the lo-I mayor of London. 1t
was brilliant company tina: assembled TO lis
ten TO the splendid program prepared by the
brokers for the occasion and the affair was a
great artistic and social success and was hugely
enjoyed by all those fortunate enough 10 be
present.
The entrance of the royal party into the
hail was the signal for u most enthusiastic
demonstration By the assembled company.
while the orchestra played the national anthem
with much grace andspirit- The distinguished
guests were conducted by tine reception COM
mittee to place of honor specially reserved
front row at little table, on which were placed
handsome satin programs and plentiful sup
PLY OF choice whisky. soda and cigars The
dress suits which the Prince of Wales and the
Duke OF Clarence wore OIL this occasion we're
made Of slightly rough material. faced with
heavy silk The vests were only moderately
opened Both wore meteorological shirt studs
and wide white ties.
The feature of tho concert was the choral
ballad, The Death of Young Romilly." An
artistic setting of Wordsworth's The Found
ling Of Bolton Abbey By the president Of the
society, Mr.. Read, given and aroused
marked enthusiasm Mr. Read is q well-known
amateur composer. His work was sung by the
choir OF male voices added to the society q few
years ago.
The Prince Of Wales vas much pleased with
the entertainment and highly complimented
PRESIDENT Read on the great success achieved
by the society.
CHRISTMAS WEEK THEATRIcALs.
From present indications the Christmas
week theatricals promise to be exceedingly
brisk. The temperance of the Gaiety Com
pany in 'Cinder Ellen Up Too Late was the
signal Tor swarming of the Gsiety habitues.
Inc company WAS accorded a most hearty re-
ception by the great crowd of ardent admirers
VINO thronged the theater. But the pit vigor-
ously Kissed at the end of the performance.
Another event of the week was Grace Haw-
thorne S effective personation of Nancy in the
American version Of "Oliver Twist at the
Olympia
Mr. Celicr's illness and consequent inability
to finish the orchestration have compelled the
postponment of the dress rehearsal at the Lyric
OF The Mountebanks." the opera which is the
collaboration of himself and Mr.. Gilbert. This
rehearsal, however, Is at last fixed for today and
the first performance of the work for Wednes-
day.
Mrs. r A. Atwater Of Omaha, Neb, who has
been studying for some time in London and
faris with view OF singing opera In France
and England. Is now in Paris and expects to
make her debut in concert this month. Mrs
Atwater's name Is Regina Negotiations are
In progress to have Mrs. Atwater sing in Ital-
ian opera next season at Covent Garden.
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett. author Of
the immensely popular Little Lord Fauntle-
roy" has taken the Theater Royal for the pro-
duction Of her new play, The Showman's
Daughter
STRAUSS NEW OPERA
Johann Strauss, in the presence Of several
intimate friends on Thursday. played the music
for his new opera. '.Pitter Pasman" which will
be heard for the first time at the Vienna opera
house on New Years day. Judged from the
piano rendering of the music, the opera is a
work of exquisite melody and skillful orches-
tration, the parts for the ballet displaying all
the composers unique talent for writing dance
music.
RCDYARp KIPLrEG TO MARRY MISS BALEsrIEn.
Rudyard kipling, the popular story writer,
is engaged to be married to the sister OF
Charles wolcott Balestier, the young American
novelist, who died at Dresden recently
French government committee Of experts
has been appointed to organize in the Biblio-
theque Rationale an exhibit Of documents il
lustratory Of the Columbus centenary.
AMERICAN OPERA SINGERS.
Madam de la Grange Of Paris, the well known
professor Of singing, said yesterday: "Ameri-
can opera Singers are rapidly becoming the
first in the world. France is producing no
great prima donnas. We are relying on for
eisners to interpret our best operas. 1t seems
strange that France, which has given to the
world so many superb singers. should now fail
to produce q single one Perhaps We may here
perceive sign Of the much-talked-
of decline of the French race At
any rate, America seems free from this failing
for that countryis now producing the purest
voices, which are now becoming the most
priced on our lyric stage. i know singers in
the American colony in Paris whose voices
would assure their possessors certain success
At opera. But their families object to their
entering upon professional life
Nine Adiny, the American prima donna who
mas Teen one of the principal singers at the
Paris opera for the past five or six years. will
probably sever her connection with that insti-
tuition this winter. In June she will come to
London FOR the COvent Garden season and
there u talk OF her making an American tour