The morning call., 1892-05-22
Francls wilson.

doubts as to what the opera would achieve. in
tie Uoited States. John Stets0n, however
became very eager to and did secure the sole
right to produce u III every city in this
country except New York. Doyle Carte
TeserVin- Gotham for himself One OF the
principal reasons why StetsOu purchased the
opera was that he had in view the organ
ization Of a company to fill great pOr-
tl0n Of the time In his Boston Theater,
formerly occupied by the Francis Wilson
Opera Company. StetSon did not Ike the
idea OF losing such an excellent attraction
as Wilson and soon showed his feeling in
the matter, for It was probably by design
that he booked his opera company in Phlla-
delpGia for a season Of seven weeks, t0 Open
the same evening In " The tOndOllers' that
Wilson and his company were announced
T. begin nine weeks engagement IN the
same opera
IT WAS A FIGHT
For the capital prize. ior Philadelphia Is
considered the best Gilbert ana sullivan
town IN this country. Wilson tried to do
away with tie opposition By buying Stets0n
of, and when the proposition was made
SJets0n placed his terms 50 high that lie had
little idea that they " Ould be accepted His
surprise was complete, however, when q
contract was signed, Wilson agreeing to
give blm $500 a week Tor seven weeks.
Even at that, soon as the Wilson pTOduc-
N0n became the talk OF the country MF.
StetsOn very much lamented the tTansac-
ton. About this time D'0yle Carte pro-
duced The GOudOleTS" al Palmer Theater,
making one Of the most pronounced failures
ever recorded in New York. Learning Of
tins, and anxious &c show the New Workers
that if the opera were properly presented
by The right kind of artists, the music quick
cned, new business introduced and the
whole performance given q snap and go"
Tire English performers did not possess,
The GondOliers" would receive better
w-anrrafff1rR At
obtaining the right from Doyle Carte,
Wilson chartered q special train. brought
Njs entire comp ny from Philadelphia TO
New 10rz and gave a single performance
az PalmeTS TieateT. The phenomenal
success Of both opera and company upon
that occasion was one OF the most remark
able achievements in the history Of the
modern stage.
SPEAKING OF WILSON.
We may say the coming engagement ofhim-
self and bis comic opera company, an
nOunced to begin May 30 at the Baldwin
Tbeater, suggests the fact that il was in this
city where the popular comedian made his
first appearance in comic opera. 1t was
about nine or ten years ago. lie had pur-
chased controlling interest in mitchelfs
pleasure Party" q small company organ
lZed after The character Of The ITOUba-
doUrs, and playing musical comedy
called "Our GOblins," and among its mem-
bers was Miss Mira Barrie, who is now
Mrs. Wilson. The "Goblins" was not a
very pronounced success in this city. though
it had made a great deal Of money in the
East, and Wilson produced "PinafOre," !"
then growing into popularity. at the Stand
ard Thsater. appearing himself in the part
Of Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. When he
went back East he joined the McCaull
Opera Company, and he reappeared here in
the California Theater few seasons later
with that famous body of artists along with
". T. Carleton. Sign0r Perugni, Lille
Post and others. That was his last ap-
pearance in San Francisco. He is likely to
receive a very hearty reception here when
he opens in The Merry Monarch" for he
has many warm friends and admirers
among the older theater patrons, who can
READILY recall bis clever peTfOTmances.