Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-23

other ordinary women In every respect,
and liz most cases entirely devoid OF
paint and powder-slip through the
stage door into the night, there are none
OF the beardless youth Of fancy or hc-
ton waiting outside. with beating hearts
aud fat purses; aching to take the
"fairies" of to Del's for a jolly supper.
Dear, mol The radiant ballet girls
transformed into ordinary women Ia
dark gowns and small toQue hats, walk
quietly home. usually to husband and
little ones, and take up the cares OF
household, until it is time for rehearsal
next day
And rehearsals, by the way, are the
horror of both ballet aid chorus. lu
some OF the operas they have little OF
nothing to do during the performance,
but they are compelled to rehearse iroE
three to four hours each day.
The ballet is composed mostly Of
Americans, though one Of the most
picturesque girls among them Is
Swe1e, a tall, blond beauty named Ellen
Rnquest, at whose superb figure al
glasses were focused during the grand
ballet scene in "Faust."
Miss. Rlnquest used to dance In the
Royal Opera at Stockholm, which i:
supported by the government
The girls who join the ballet are
taught, when very young, at the ex
pense OF the government, which makes
sort OF life contract with them.
BALLET DANCERS WHO GET PENSIONS
When they are too old to do ser vice
any longer they are pensioned OF. NC
doubt this governmental process for
the cultivation OF operate classical
music is what puts the countries OF
Europe so far ahead Of America in all
! high arts.
Another pretty girl in this ballet Is
little Mrs. Sheehan, wife OF the tenor oil
that name in the operate company OF
the Bostonians. Mrs. Sheehan will
leave the stage, however, al the close oil
this seasons grand opera.
One OF the most amusing things De-
hind the scenes Of the opera Is the atti-
tude OF the stars toward the ballet girls,
and the feelings the girls entertain fol-
or against this star and the other In
consequence.
ITS a draw between Eames and Nor
dica," say these merry little maidens.
They add, beneath their breath, mos'
cautiously:
1--WE hate Meba. She treats US as II
we were part of the props, and passes
through as with her nose in the air.
She'r horrid-so therem
And as l glance through the little
| mi N y
voices and flashing eyes, spy
Melba herself coming through the
wing, her arms loaded down with
beautiful floral tributes, looking
certainly very sweet In her impersona
ton of Marguerite, but stiff and proud
as the girls say:
Suddenly her manner changes,
lovely smile comes over the prima
donna's face as she stoops over beau
tiful bunch of fragrant roses and tear:
from its centre dainty bud, that she
slyly gives to the smiling, gracious Mr.
Parry.
why do you all like Mr.. ParrY9"
asked them.
"Why, because he is so good, aud
treats us like human beings" was the
| general response.
Mr.. Parry assured me that the long
waits, during which we all exhausted
our soWers of conversation, observation
and patience, are caused by the prime
| donna.
"You see," be said, my scene has
been ready now for ten minutes, and
doubt If the prima donnas have got any
I further than ad mlring their flower!
from the last act"
A PRIMA DONNA DELUsIoN.
Prima donnas have an idea that IL
that II they make quick changes, they
will not be fully appreciated. II they
only knew!
1t was growing late and 1 had II
leave the pleasant, informal evenings
trial behind me.
1 turned At the door to take las
look at the inside workings OF Faust"
Edouard de Reszke, that fiery Meph
istopheles, in his flaming red outfit
stood against a pile Of OF old scenery
reading q love letter.
Imagine, if you can, His Satanic Mai
esty taking TO the milk and water die
OF love letters.
! By his side were group OF little
Italian girls in red dresses and white
aprons, ready with their lighted torche:
for the last gorgeous scene in Faust
Near by, standing about the altar, a
| which Marguerite was 10 kneel, were |
| little knot of chorus girls, In theil
! Quaint German peasant costumes. They
were getting away with vast amount
Of the only original gum, which isasurs
cure for indigestion, and discussing the
twenty-five cent dinner they had all en-
joyed in theatrical boarding house II
Philadelphia.
Aud on the other side Of some piled
up properties stood Signor A1cons, thu
second tenor, dressed in the garb o.
Nalentin, carrying on heated discus
sion with group Of indignant beauties
as 10 the deterorating Influence OF thu
stage upon the morals OF the gentler sex
What 8 Wierd fascination there wa
about it, the hum, and hustle, aud con
| fusioni
And over all rose the soft vet com
manding voice Of Mr.. Parry, as he ex
planned in desperate tones:
"ln heavens name, where are th'
| Stars?" GRACE LAToUcHE.