Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-13
GoUNoD sourErY.

GOUNOD sOCIErY.
 Final Rehearsal Last Evening-The Audience to stand During tho Sing. ing of she ssHallelujah Choruss'- Glowing Tribute Paid To Miss Ger. trude Sanford.
 The last rehearsal of the Gounod society took place last evening ct Harmonic hall and was we'll attended. All the choruses of "The Messiah" were sung and the pub- lic will have chance to judge of the faith full work of the chorus this afternoon and evening. The matinee will commence promptly at 3 o'clock and the evening per formance at 8. The audience at both per formances have been requested to arise during the singing of the "Hallelujsh Chorus" This custom is followed every place where "The Messiah" Is sung. There are still few good seats left for the after noon performance. The work of erecting the large terrace on which the members ot the chorus will be seated was commenced last evening immediately by Stage Cnpen- ter Miller and a corps of assistants.
 Just previous to the rehearsal Sig. Agra monte took few minutes to pay Q fitting | and we'll deserved tribute to Mise Gertrude ! Sanford. the well known accompsniste. he said that in all his experience with oratorial societies he had never had bet ter accompsniste than Mi. 8 Sanford. She l was an artist, and played with . zsal and | fervor which was remarkable. And as Q token of his appreciation of her excellent work he presented her with an enormous bunch of violets. The presentation Of the flowers and the words of praise from Sig. Agramonte brought forth tremendous aps plause from all present.
 Entertainments.
 New Haven theater goers crowded the Hyperion last evening to attend the first performance given in this city of Oscar Wilde's latest play, "A Woman of No I'm portanoe," presented by Rose Coghlan and her excellent company. The plot of the play our readers are familiar with. To be appreciated "A Woman of No Importance" must be presented by most capable oom- pany. This was the case last night. A company composed of such stars as Rose Coghlan, John T. Sullivan, Fife Shan non, Mrs. Dion Boucicault and Aubrey Boucicault is indeed highly meritorious. Until just before the curtain drops at the end of the second act the play has no ex cuse for existing except to display the re- markably keen wit and cutting satire of the authors pen. It Is almost void of action until then but the last two acts abound in most interesting situations and the dialogue is profoundly impressive. The play is full of truisms, replete with gems af nd xuh will some day be reproduced ss having come from one of the brightest authors of his time. It Is interesting and holds one's attention to the end, but after 1t is unsst- | isfying, It is not strictly good play, be- cause no play is good that is suggestive of immoral things. You are taught lesson, | it is true, but 1t Is not needed in these end of ths century days. Why is it chat the authors nowadays persist in making high l they themselves know better To say the least 1t is getting extremely tiresome. The l costumes of the ladies were beautiful and the stage settings very pretty, but the per- | formance was msrred by several drunken students, who sat down in front.
 The comra1eship between players and plsyrights and stage people in general, and the loyalty they have for each other, and perhaps more especially for the good fel- lows who are gone-in 6 word the true comaraderis of all touched by the glare of | the footlights-havs caused some of the latest plays to be written about historic stage people whom the public loved when they were alive. Paul N. Potter's play "Sheridan, or the Maid of Bath, which E H. Sothern brings tomorrow evening, is brim full of interest and attraction. Sale of seats now open.
 For Friday evening comes the Thomas Q. seabrooke Comic Opera company in 'The Isle of Champagne" which stands forth as delightful breezy vehicle for an evenings enjoyable entertainment. The music is popular and the opera is light, frothy and sparkling, and mounted and costumed with care and elsboration-the scene, the Hall of Cobweb-being singular ly rich and artistic. Sale of seats now open.
 "The Princess Nicotine" Charles Alfred Byrne and Louis Hsrrison's new opera ful run at the Casino, New York city, will be elaborately produced Tuesday matinee and evening, with Lillian Russell in the leading role. Assisting Mics Russell as principals are Signor Perugini, Dlgby Bell, Ali. c. Whelan, Charles A. Bigelow, James A. Peakes, Lucy Daly, Marie Dressler, Georgia Denim, Grace Belseco, May Duyrea, Lillian Thurgate. Marie Celeste and company of 100 trained chorus sing CTS. Besides fine stage settings and CO.'S tunes the opera comprises ballet under the direction of Signor Francioli The sale of seats is now open. At the request of many patrons MT. Bunnell has indnced Miss Russells manager to give 8 matinee as we'll as the evening performance. The sale of seats for the matinee opens tomorrow "Wednesday at a. m.
 GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
 There was au immense audience present last evening at this elegant and oommo- dious theater to see the first presentation of the season in this city of O. B. Jsffer- eoH, Klaw & Erlsngsr's grand product. CD !, "The Soudan," which has been such Q marked success in New York, Boston and Chicago. This play, which combines thrilling drama, startling scenic effects, sparkling comedy, touching melodrams and brilliant military spectacle, always pleases more people than the house can &C., commodate. It Is dull mind indeed that cannot find some amusement in such a combination of all that goes to please and interest the intellect of man, woman or child.
 James Herne as Captain Temple makes @ stalwart and typical British officer. Alex ander Kearney as Paul de vigne, the treacherous Frenchman, falss friend and subsequently the renegade and apostate, has made the dissgreeable part his own, and plays it with oonsnmate skill, the scene at the we'll after the capture of the desert city being especially strong. As the cool and hsartless villain, Mat thew Hawkes., Temples solicitor, and relatives. W. v. Rsnons makes most of his part. Dan Collyer as Horatio Spokins, his clerk, is brimful of life and action As Nellie Temple, wife of Captain Temple, faithful and loving and the victim of wicked plottsrs, Annie Barclay shows much dramatic power. As sCora Gray. her false friend, Miss Jean Harold did not long remain in sight, but her part was | -