St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-22
AT THE METROPOLITAN.
The American Extravaganza Com.
pany in 'Sinbad."

The American Extravaganza Com.
pany in "Sinbad"
For the fourth time in as many years
extravaganza will reign at the Metro
politan opera house. Tonight the fourth
annual visit of David Henderson's
splendid American Extravaganza COM
pany will occur. when its latest produc
ton, the worlds fair revival OF "Sinbad;
or the Maid of Balsora." will be given.
Two years ago this spectacle was seen
here and made strong impression.
Last season the company brought an
other extravaganza, cali Bahia" Now
''Sinbad" comes back, but so changed
and improved, il is said, as to be hardly
recognizable by those who saw the
earlier production. The cost of reviving
the piece. it is stated was quite as great
as that of making an entirely new pro
duction. The scenery. costumes and
properties are new throughout. Fred
erick Dangerfield, the eminent scenic
artist Of the Chicago opera house, is
said to have worked for months Oh the
revival. and to have surpassed even the
brilliant and beautiful canva SeS which
he produced last season for "Ali Bahia"
A great many Of the properties were
made by NJ. Ganett and N. Seuis. of the
Chatelet theater, Paris, and others were
constructed by the great American
property maker. Edward Seidle, of
New York. There are over 600 cos
tunes in the production, every one of
which was specially designed by How.
rH
scenic artist. The wardrobe was con-
structed by Alias. of London and Paris,
and by the wardrobe department CT the
Chicago opera house.
The first act of "SiDbad" is an ex-
terror. showing the quays and docks of
the port of Balsora. on the Red sea.
from which, according to the veraciouS
history of SiHbad. the Sailor, given in
the Arabian Nights tales, the adyeutur-
Gus Oriental navigator sailed. At the
end of this act great, practical ship
> sails INTO the port, the people embark
on 1t and 1t goes out to sea as the cur
tain falls. The next scene SHOWS the
vessel on the high seas. mutiny oc-
ours, the ship is wrecked and goes TO
the bottom, n tableau showing it lying
on the bed of the ocean. During the
progress Of this act, by means OF an
immense panorama, various phases OF
lite at sea are shown. and all sorts Of
craft pass in the offing, including the
caravelS Of Columbus, the mailship
Campanla, fleet OF merchantmen, the
White Squadron and the Fulsia, the
latter going by i'll the night time with
all lights lit. The third act exhibits a
tropical island, changes to an equatorial
jungle, and ends with possibly the most
elaborate scene in the piece. Tine Fro
zen Valley of Diamonds" gorge in
the mountains frosted with the SHOWS of
winter and lit by the setting sun. Down
the bed of The valley spreads great
glacier, apparently an almost intermin-
able river of ice. The effect of great
cakes Of ICE is ingeniously obtained by
means OF sheets OF plate glass, which
are lit from beneath and are strong
enough to hold the entire ballet organi-
cation of the company. In the last act
the Palace of Sinbad is presented, and
the play ends with an elaborate trans
formation scene, entitled "A Tribute to
America"
There are several dancing features in
the production, a "tarantella." a horn.
pipe, ''prlsmatic' ballet. and the prin-
cipal advertisement of the production,
THE grand ballet fantastique," in which
the dancers are attired as skaters,
Slelghers. toDogganers, icicles. snow
flakes and other adjunctS OF winter.
The principal spectacular incident is
an assemblage of nations, participated
in by nearly 200 people, in which the
following countries are represented:
Italy, Spain. China, France, Germany,
Russia, Africa, India, Ireland, Scotland,
England and America. The costumes
III this pageant are described as most
artistic and beautiful.
The music of the new s.Snbad" is
said to be right up to date. Among the
new songs are the following: Lovers