Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-13
foa COLONEL JOHN A M,cAuLL.
The Bsuent Performance In New York
City on Thursday.


City on Thursday.
During the last season of his active
management, Gays tho New York Times.
Colonel John A. McCaull coniided to q
friend scheme which was forming in his
mind to take his company to the Metro
politan Opera-housc and give q season of
nihcence. This dream was never realized.
as the Colonel was soon after pros
trated by the disease from which he
is still suffering. His name, how.
ever, was on Thursday made promi-
nent in the history of the Metropolitan
Opera House by what proved the greatest
benefit performance ever given within its
walls, with the latter exception Of that for
Lester Wallack. Every seat and every box
mtum--within an hour of the opening OF
the sale on Monday. and, though the storm
kept few ticket-holdcrs from attending
the performance. the vacant seats were so
few that they could be discovered only by
carefully looking for them. The great build
ing was practically filed with friends of
the Colonel, and the net receipts of the
performance are reported to be about
$1,000. To this are 10 be added the re-
ceipts from the Chicago performance. also
given yesterday afternoon, aud when the
AtiAtk luuu II III kDOttn UP Will kh1aV 10
substantial provision for the future OF the
man who has come to be known as the
father of comic opera" In this country.
NOTABLE PROFESSIONALS.
The great audience was as notable from
it's quality as 1t was for its numbers. The
parterre boxes were occupied by managers
and actors Of prominence as we'll as by
leading society people, and many we'll
known citizens were TO be found IN the
upper tier and in the orchestra stalls. The
occupants of the parterre boxes included
William II. Crane and Mrs. Crane,
Frank w. Sanger, Maurice Grau. Theodore
Moss, Mrs. Dc Wolf Hopper. Samuel Rork.
Tony Pastor, Rudolph Aronson, I. Henry
Carl Streitmann, Al Hayman, George +:
Tyson. members of the Glover Club of
Philadelphia, John II. Russell, William
Dunlevy, James II. Breslin, j. Wesley
Rosenquest. John AlbauRh, and Mr.
Thomas, OF the firm of Hoyt d Thomas.
A. NJ. Palmer had "a box. which was occu-
pied by his friends. as did also Marion
Manola Mason and Henry 4. Abbey.
The stage performance was one of the
best ever arranged for benefit, and was
given without q hitch. Laura Schirmer
Mapleson and Marie Tempest failed TO APP
pear for some reason, but the entertain
ment very properly went right On with
no interruption even Tor apologies. Come
operas, minstrelsy, legitimate drama. and
even the circus contributed to the pro-
gramme arranged by the united managers,
aud every branch of the theatrical busi-
ness was represented. The bill open
ed with an excellent minstrel en-
tertainment, in which Louis Harri-
son acted as intsrlocutor. and Burt Haver-
ly, Luke Schoolcratt Willis Swestnam.
and Charles V. Seaman, all of " The New
City Directory" company, as eud-men.
The songs were good and the jokes were
new. Amelia Glover followedi In one of her
graceful dances, William L. Hoey sang,
and Gilmore's Band gave a spirited per-
Torrance of good music. James Il.
Powers gave his Carmencita dance,
Madame Scalchi sang, and Agnes Booth
and Walden Ramsey of A. NJ. Palmer's
company appeared in Augustus Thomas's
charming little one-act sketch, After
Thoughts" Marie Jansen sang "Ohe,
Mama; Professor Morris, of The
Country Circus introduced his trained
ponies, and then came the feature of the
performance. the second act of " Erminie."
with Francis Wilson in his original charac-
ter of Cadeaux. Lillian Russell as Ermi-
ME, Mark Smith as Revenues, Nettie Ly-
ford as Cerise, and Kate TART as the Cap
tain. Miss Russell, Mr.. Wilson. and oil
the members of the cast were rewarded for
their excellent work by generous out
bursts of applause, and the great audience
dispersed, cumming the old familiar
"Dickey Bird" Lullaby" and "Ermi-
ME GavOtte.