The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-24

upon tne omclal programme OF the ship
Alloy Company" Miss Gilman is known on
ly under her maiden name, as she, like all
great women in the profession. prefers to
have the public know her only on the stage
and not In her happy home life.
At the time Of Miss Gilman's marriage
to Mr.. McCreary, curiously enough the
general public knew that gentleman only
as Slgnor Tolberto. the great Spanish ten
or, he being SO advertised extensively in
New York by an enterprislng manager
who sought the shekels OF the susceptible
American public that gloried In every
thing foreign, and thought themselves
leaders In society. or course Mr.. McCrea-
rvs friends and his fair fiancee knew him
to be an American of Americans, and
loved him as they loved the girl whom he
was to wed for the true patriotism they
both possessed. The marriage of Mr.. Nc
Creary to Miss Gilman was very roman
tic oneg 1T was case of love at first sight
--adfue love match In every respect. The
courtship began in New York in the fall of
1888, and was finished in the lovely
orange land of the sunny South, in the
spring of 1885, Both of the principals
were, at that time, travelling in one of the
leading opera companies, and they were
married on the stage, before crowded
house, between the second and third acts
Of the opera they were playing-Balfe's
beautiful masterpiece, 1.-THE Bohemian
Girl A few weeks after the ceremony
was performed. Mr.. and Mrs. McCreary
organized an opera company of their own,
known as the McCreary-G Gilman Company,
and made great success in the South and
West.
The story of Miss Gilman's professional
career, aside from her romantic marriage,
is very interesting. She was born at Bel
fast. Me-. twenty-six years ago. At an
early age her parents moved to the West.
and settled at Albuquerque, New Mexico,
where her father established large cattle
ranch. After living West for short time
the daughter was sent to vassar College
to beeducated, and, meanwhile. had pri-
vate tutor to drill her in music. At the age
Of sixteen she was sent to the Boston Con-
servatory of Music. which place she at
tended for three years. The cattle ranch
business of her fathers did not prove a
profitable venture, and he lost small for
tune init. but yet had enough left to Sc i'd his
talented and handsome daughter to Paris
for year. There she received instruction
in music from some Of the leading direc-
tors Of that great city. Before her educa-
tion was entirely completed, however, she
| was obliged to return home, owing to the
unexpected business reverses in her fami-
ly. Then it was she decided to accept a
position which was very remunerative.
that bad been offered her to play the lead
ing soprano role In leading comic opera
company. Her success in operate work
was instantaneous. but as she, at that time,
cared more for the salary she was receiving
than for the honors that were heaped upon
her, her rise was not as rapid as it might
have been. After while. and just before
she'was married to Mr.. McCreary, she be-
came attached to her chosen profession
and at once sprung into popular favor. At
the first monster musical festival which
was held at Socorro, New Mexico, she
madefher greatest hit as the prima donna
soprano Of the Panizza Opera Company,
the best known Mexican Opera Company
at that time. Her next venture was with
the Gilman Concert and Comedy Company,
under the management of her father, Col.
j. A. Gilman. 1t proved success and
added to her fame in the West and South.
Her next engagement was with the Hamil-
ton Opera Company of New York, with
which organization she was playing in the
southern circuit when she met Mr.. Nc
Creary and was married. Since her mar
riage she has played leading parts with
the j. G. Duff Comic Opera Company.
playing repertoire Of Gilbert and Sulli-
van productions. including Iolanthe.
Patience, Pinafore, The Gondoliers and
Mikado. Last season she played the lead
ing role ia Manager j. al. HilPs No. Ship
Alloy Company, which toured the West
and the'South, and 1t was because of her
great triumph and success with that COM
pany that Manager Hill decided to make
her prlma donna soprano of the No. 1
Company, which Is travelling in the New
England circuit this season, and which is
meeting with great success everywhere, as
did the original company of last season.
Miss Gilman's singing has been raptur-
ously applauded, and her acting has been
commented upon as admirable by the lead
ing critics of every city where the Ship
Alloy Company has appeared since the
season began. She is not only handsome
woman, but is bright, captivating and
lovely in every sense Of the word. Her
form is divine. her face is sweet, and she
is graceful and tall. and is brunette with
luxuriant hair reaching almost to the floor,
and with eyes that sparkle like gems of the
rarest quality.
Miss Gilman will appear here with the
Ship Alloy Company at City Hall tonight
and tomorrow.
PORTLAND THEATRE.
The programme this week is admirable.
The audience last night encored every
thing. Thomas and Watson were good,
Prince Tanake and Princess Miena did
some fine juggling, Nellie st. John sang
sweetly, and Tommy GlyDn played the
banjo finely. Young Valdare was DASH
Ing bicycle rider, and the dancing and sing
ing were all good. Be sure and go for you
VIII get your moneys worth.
PYeMALIoN AND GALATEA.
frot. Grlmmer has arranged this pro-
gramme for his orchestra at the perform.
ances at City Hall, Thanksgiving:
Overture -Empel or. Kiesler
Ks Wales .Rheinsayen- w edsenbon
Medlep- Boom-zing- Boom. Brooks
There are still good seats left, but they
are going rapidly, and you can get q better
choice by going into Chandler's at once
and making your selection.