The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-21
MARIE NMARX

" &-\&T
MARE NMARY
the crude surroundings which were
thought to be wonderful, she could
not but help wondering how slow those
old impressarios were. Certainly she
would refuse to appear now on a stage,
set for the opera of Faust, unless real
flowers We're used In the garden scene.
Imagine the wonderful effects, thanks
to electricity which are now shown in
DR.. Fausts study. given with a little
cheap red fire, and set of scenery
which consisted of big fiat scene.
and "a lot of little ones running out on
either side of the stage. so that the
bare walls could be hidden? The scenic
art, and the wonderful changes made
In perfecting the illusive work of those
who cater to the public as managers,
was never better shown, than today.
II a wing room Is to be presented
to the eyes of the audience. II Is re-
produced exactly. There are no paint
ed sofas of the period Of the ark: no
cheap furniture; no fiat ceiling. All is
as fine as in the real palace or mansion,
or whatever 1t may be. The velvet
plush that covers the couches costs $S
a yard. The woodwork Is oak not
painted pine, and the doors and VIM
dows open and shut just as they would
ordinarily. Even the bric-a-brac is
real. The public won't have imitation.
OF course. the putting Of an opera
company in commission, as the sea
sharps would say, is not only no child's
lou yNNnt n M
money. Most of the popular theatrical
successes require not over a dozen or
fifteen persons. That Is the players,
those who appear on the stage. Take
"The Henrietta" for instance, or 1.-The
Senator" To be sure there are several
sets of scenes. but the play has perhaps
weeks run. 1t moves like clock
work and perhaps the theater is full
every night. Lots Of money Is made,
and "it's good season." as the man.
ager says. On the other hand, an opera
company, as a rule, does not present
the same work every night in the week.
the same singers are not heard in the
different productions. Then. too. as a
rule, the operas attire as the women.
There Is the chorus. the great orchestra
and the big salaries of the artists.
Contrast this with the expense attend
ant upon an ordinary theatrical COM
pany and know that the man who can
put upon the stage such productions as
grand operas and adequately present
them Is a public benefactor In every
sense Of the word. The Tavary Grand
Opera company this year possesses re-
markable qualities. Not only are the
singers the most eminent artists in
their particular lines In the world. but
for completeness of detail and elaborate
presentations of the master works or
the master musical minds of the world
has ever before been attempted. the
success It attained last year, when 1t
made a tour Of the country, was phe-
nomenal. 1t hopes to eclipse that rec
ord this year. Charles II. Pratt. under
whose direction 1t Is, formerly managed
Emma Abbott. Clara Louise Kellog and
Annie Louise Cary. All his life he has
devoted to perfecting his Ideas. He Is
very rich man. and has spent several
fortunes In operate ventures, nut tne
success he has attained In presenting
grand opera in English has amply re-,
paid him. The public know good
thing. A feature of the performance
of the Tavary Grand Opera company
Ia that each work Is virtually pro-
duction Every detail is perfect, every
costume historically correct. The silks
are the best to be had, the scenery mar
yelous,, and last. but not by any means
least. the company is made up of the
worlds greatest artists.
Marie Tavary. the prima donna asso-
luta Is of Russian parentage. althoug II
born In Belgium. Her work In Europe
and this country Is too well known to
need detailed description. She has
sung in every great musical center OF
the world from st. Petersburg to Milan.
and Paris. and in Covent Garden. Lon,
don. she created furore "A beautiful
woman, she, and splendid actress
as well. Chevalier Guile, who for some
years was the primo tenor at the
Royal Opera House in Lisbon. was
knishted by the king. His voice O. re-
markable olearness and quality has
been heard wherever there are music
lovers. As an actor he Is superb. and
his love making Is something which. 1t
is said, once drovU n royal princess to
seek him. He talked to the young wo-
man sensibly and told her how foolish
she was and she went home. Some
days afterwar1 he received box In
which was ruby ring. set with dia-
monds. Mime. Thea Dorre. the mezzo
soprano, is a woman with swapping
voice and a spirit and dash that carries
every audience with her. Mile. LIGHTER
IA one of the most brilliant Of operate
prlma donnas. with clear-cut So
prano of great range, artistic In exc
cution. .vivaclous In style. She has
met with wonderful success. The New
York Herald pronounces her one Of the
future queens of song" Mile. Bella
Tcmlins is leading contraltO. a splendid
actress and great singer. Nine. Roma
nj and Mile. Zuzanne Ryanc are two
distinguished artists of the company.
Sehor Michelena, the favorite lyric
tenor, who Is well remembered through
his tours with Emma Abbott and
Emma Juch Opera company. Another
favorite tenor Is Payne Clark. who can
throw out the high c's with an abandon
to startle any audience into wild en-
thuslasm. Max Eugene, the great Eng
lish baritone. just arrived from London.
wil,iam Sdhuster. the basso cantanta1.
is, also q. flne-looking man with a big
voice. SignOr Abramoff, the great
basso, was strong card on the other
side Of the big pond. and possesses a
voice Of wonderful range and compass
In short the Tavary Opera company is
. high class organization, unequalled