The evening world., 1894-02-01
NEWS OF THE STAGE WORLD.
Nozze di Figaro" Well Sung
at the Metropolitan.
BUou Fernandez Does n Swing for
Bcttina Gerard.

For the first time this season Mozart's
four-act opera, "Nozze di Figaro" was
sung at the Metropolitan Opera-House
last night with a cast that inspired more
confidence than did the opera. The
theatre was comfortably filled and the
audience was unusually apprcciative -
for a Metropolitan Opera-House gather
ing. Figaro" was admirably presented.
The performance was nearly perfect.
Nine. Emma Eames was the Countess.
and sang her role with much de.icacy.
Nine. Games was, moreover, charming
TO look at, and 1t Is unusual to find a
singer who looks, acts and sings youth
ful parts. as In the case of Nine. Eames,
that each of her new roles Is a surprise.
Nine. Sigrid Arnoldson appeared as
Cherub.no and did well. Her mail but
wonderfully flexible voice has won its
way to metropolitan approval after a
somewhat bitter struggle. and the little
pleasure. Mime. Nordica as Susanna was
In fine voice and gave. complete salts
faction. The rest OF the cast was as
the Count, Edouard de Reszke; Bartoio,
Sig. Carbone. Basilio. Sig. Rinaldini;
Curz!o. Sig. Mastrobuono. Antonio, Sig.
de Vaschetti, and Figaro. Sig. Ancona:
~ u NoulfN VI WINS "a Z ~ MANY "
III Barbiere di Sevigiia" is to be given
at the Metropolitan with an entirely
feminine cast. Maurice Grau is making
al arrangements for the representation,
which was originally suggested by Sig,
Mancineili. Mr.. Grau's work is not easy.
and a polished diplomat is really needed
to deal with. these capricious song-birds.
However. Mr.. Grau is a good substi-
tute. He understands the prima-donna
very thoroughly.
Bijou Fernandez, who Is playing
Phoebe in the feminine "As You Like
is also doing some rather unusual work
at the Academy OF Music, where she Is
Mss Bettina Gerard's understudy. Miss
Gerard met with an accident tuc other
chasm In the first act. She slipped, and
her hands were seriously hurt with the
rope. She was unable 10 appear In this
scene the following night, and SO Bijou
vas sent for lust to swing across the
chasm. This she now does every night.
and will continue to do so until poor Bet
heroic leap, Biiou swings herself into a
atre for her part in SAs o Like It."
The autograph fend isn't in it with a
certain young woman in New Rochelle,
Jones. Of the 'ia92" company. Jones. it
will be remembered, plays the tramp. and
wears a pair of ragged trousers. the rents
in which are fastened by safety-pins.
''Will you, dear sir" wrote the New
Rochelle girl, send me as n souvenir
one Of the safety-p.ns from your tramp
costume? In return please accept this
silver one. which l inciose."
A San Francisco critic objects to mod
ern drawing-room plays, or the cutaway-
coat drama, as he calls IT. He says that
San Francisco draws the line at these
entertainments-the clothes line.
Stockwell, the well-known California
manager, who was a great gun in the
Maine and Georgia." to show poor
New Workers what great things Cali
fornia could do, has discovered that this
Is a cold, cold section of the country.
He brought his own scenery, some &C
tors. and all the elements of a thorough
dramatic educational course for the cast.
The fate of Maine and Georgia" is
known. Mr.. StoCkwen has now accept
ed a position in Brady's After Dark
company. Warning to San Franciscans
Stay where you are, and let well enough
alone.
II turns out that Miss Victory Bate
man is not to sue the Professional Wo-
mems League as a body. but four MEM
bers of 1t only. Miss Bateman has left
the city again. but returns shortly to
play an engagement In Brooklyn.