Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-16
THEATRICAL CHAT.
Special 10 fAs RS9Isrs-.

Special 20 fAs R(9isfs-.
NEW YORK, December 14.-one OF
the most i'm portant events OF the sea-
son In New York. took place on Tues
day night, December 18th, NJ the Fifth
Avenue Theatre. IL was the first
American presentation OF Victorien
Sardou's latest play, Gismonda. Fan
nY Davenport, 10 whom Sardou always
assigns his dramas In this country. The
production Is scenically superb, dramat-
ically intense and thrilling, and IL AZ
fords Miss Davenport an opportunity to
eclipse her subtle aud powerful acting
In Fedora, La Tosca and Cleopatra.
When Bernhardt staged the piece In
Paris, the French press called IL the
greatest drama OF the epoch. The same
thing has been said Of Miss Dayenports
production. The play concerns Gis-
monda. the Duchess Of Athens, widow
OF Nero III. She has given her oath TO
marry the man that'll leSs into the den
OF a tiger TO save her child. No one OF
her titled admirers dares to risk bis lie
in the attempt, but her chief falconer,
Almerio, leaps 10 and is victorious. The
rest OF the piece is taken up with Gls-
monda's effort TO absolve herself OF her
oath and her eventual love for Almerlo.
A strong scene In the second act shows
Almerlo's hut, which Gismonda Is leay-
ing At daybreak, after having sacrificed
her honor. She discovers Zaccarlo,
Almerio's rival, who has come TO the
hut to murder, and learning that Zac-
carlo was also the author OF the con-
spIracy to kill her child, she kills him
with an ak. The scene Is described as
the most exciting the master French
strategIst OF the stage has ever evolved,
and Miss Davsnport's acting OF IL Is
electriiylng. Her engagement Of eight
weeks at the Fifth Avenue Is all too
short for the run OF the piece.
Tamagno sang the role OF OtelDo. COM
posed for him by Verdi In the Iopera OF
that name, at the Academy of Music.
Philadelphia, on Tuesday evetlng. IL
was the most important operatlc event
OF the season 10 the Quaker city. and q
vast audience welcomed the Italian
tenor.
sIssleretta Jones. the 81 ok Patti.
sang on Sunday evening, De Der 9th,
at Oscar HammerstsIn's Columbus Thea.
ire at l25th street. New York. ItIs
said there was standing room only.
which means that she made money.
The Black Patti sings the most horid
kind OF arias with great facility, but
she Is Ike the white P3ttl In that her
audiences invariably insitt on hearing
her render Home Sweet Home.
Violet Melnotte, the lessee OF the
Trafalgar Square Theatre. London, has
written to Della Fox With q view to
Miss Fox's APPEARANCE with portion
OF her company in England 10 the
spring. Hosard Paul has forwarded 10
Miss Melnotts his opibion that Misc
Fox, Villa Knox, Paul Arthur aud JEFF
ferson de Angeles would be- eKceedlagJ
attractive In The Llttle Trooper la
London. The operetta was suhg there
several seasons ago ubder another title,
but II was an inferior version with al
Indifferent cast.
Those that suppose that James
ONelll, through bis long association
with the charac.srlof Edmond Danies,
In Monte Cristo, Would hnd IL impossible
to shake of that cbaracter upon a'.um-
ing another role, nave found out tnsir
mistake 10 his Tirginius Mr.. ONelll
il far from beink q one-part actor he
has for years been the leading romantic
actor on th9 American stage. he is
now demonstrating bis right 20 stand az
the leadlnk trsgedian.
Lady BeckIess, which Kate ClaIton
and Jan1uschek produced In Boston,
ia to be made companion piece 70 The
Two Orphans on their toGf.
For(Fanny ports magnificent
prod tctIon OF Sardoa's Gismon5s, a.
the Fifth Avenue, Theatre. New YORK.
william Furst has composed The fsI-
con9r's Chorus" "The Angelus," "Ihe
Hal7ester's Chorus" serenade and
sevbral other melodsous numbers.
Hired C. whitney has signed contract
whereby plquente Louise Bea1de' and
h1r Opera Bouffe company will oegin an
Extended engagement a. the pew snd
beautiful Castle Square Theatre, Bos-
tbn. on Christmas Eve. 90 the opening
flight Miss Bsaudet will sing 10 Jacinta,
which Mr. whitney has presented AL
Esady 10 Phfadspbis and New YORK,
hut In the second or third week new
tIght opera. by 40 American composer
Ind librettlst, will be put forward. Tns
iCas.ls Square. 10 Is said, is perfectly
adapted 70 be permanent house iof