The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-30
0UEEy rIC7ORI.i AND THE SINGERS.
An Opera Evening M spent ny Ter ind Her
Guests u. windsor Castle.

Guests u. windsor Castle.
Never since her long period of wilowhood
began has tho Queen of England taken so
much interest in theatrical aud operate entor-
tainment IA s!e cvnces this winter Although
the holiday season has not yet arrived. her
Majesty has already listened to two operas.
one Gvon by the Carl Rosa corn pany. tho other
by the more prctcntions organization OF Sir
Augustus Harris. The Queens tastes ARE cos
mopoitan. She is an nvctcrate newspaper
render. and follows the course Of theatrical
and other events with IA close nh interest ne
that displayed by hcr subjects. When she
hears OF any entertainment that is highly
popular with hcr people. its manager
generally receives tho royal command
to give performance at Windsor or
Balmornl. Thus the Queen within re-
cent times has laughed over Charles
Wyndham, shvercd over Henry Irving. boon
lulled Ivy Sir Arthur Sullivun's lvanhoe." and
thrilled with Buffalo Bills wild West" For
twenty years back court lifo has been OK
tremely dull for tho numerous princes
Processes. attaches. and Indies in waiting.
But lately the Queen has declared such
lively taste for entertainment that tho heir
apparent recently vowed that With the tragical
elements loft out. Windsor Castle was begin
ming to remind the Princess OF Wales Of the
icStN'"' Nh'h hfl lbShi Hil''SN'I'
encouraged at Esnorc. Her Majesty has n
strong preference for music over any other
form Of entertainment II Is stated by those
acquainted with court gossip that but for the
recent illness Of Mr. Padcrcwski tho ri-
anst would have received II summons to play
at Windsor. Disappointed hy one Pole. her
Majesty has determined to hear another. 1t
Is. We are informed. already settled that
so soon as NJ. jean tic Rcszkc finishes his
lasis aud Monte Carlo engagements he will
nnrear ip the characters OF Faust and Lohen.
The performances castle arc almost in
,variahly given on SATURDAY nich's. Ihe srIec.
t!on OF this evening increases the difficulties
of tho management. The. Queen never
makes her appearance, in the Waterloo Gallery
promptly at that hour. must he ended with
equal PROM ntitude At midnight. for her Majesty
tainment to extend into sunday morning. Tho
matters equal to those ut Drury Lane on the
Friday morn ng before u performance largo
force Of men invades Waterloo Gallery. takes
down the costly pictures and builds II stage
The regular ,thcatre. on, Saturday afternoon
everything is ready Then tho performers
here re"p" on hs sns
the PRINCIPALS brought from the railway sta
ton in the royal carriages. tho choristers.
buses. Each person is supplied with n num-
hcred lckct informing. him where he shall
GUTTER "uG Ter tea are ReS sefvea To
everybody and after this light reflection the
women retire to dress in st. Georges Hall
while the men GO to the Rutens room. Ats
o'clock al tho performers are assembled on
the stage In the nrincipnl tnhlnau OF the opera;
A,phot"graph ,staken OF The scene by the aid
Of magnesium, light for her Majesty. inter
which the windows are opened and the hail
gets n thorough ventilation The place is then
heated anew and ut $50 the royal guests are
seated. each supplied with II libretto and pro-
Eran,ne printed on white satin those reserved
for her Majesty being printed on blue satin
Ml o'clock tho Queen enters. attended by the
maids of honor. and seats herself on an inn
provsed throne. before which stands n table.
This latter feature is essential Her Majesty
is Of Il critical turn. and ut intervals during the
performance writes her opinions on a pad OF
note pnp"r, concermning tn" merits or faults
hols stands. ,np aud the orchestra of
lifty-siX musicians plays God save the
Queen" This ended. the royal lady waves
her hand and the opera begins. There
l. no entr acte music. the period between
the scenes being engrosscd by refres hmonts
~ cake and champagne served by tootmen.
On these occasions no one, ventures to ap-
which signal til. lords and Indies. guiding
the expression OF their enthusiasm by the
Sovereign manner. testify their appreciation
Of tao artists effort. After tho performance
the singers are put to ther hardest task. The
PRINCIPALS are allowed only ten minutes in
pear in. full court dress before her Majesty.
md OF this rule there is no evasion. Sir Henry
lonsonby presents the singers separately. and
the Queen com Pill nonts one. gives u present to
another. and allows u third the unusual
privilege o, kissing her hand After this
ceremony tho performers retire for supper.
and ar" MI speeding back to London by the