The morning times., 1895-10-01
Mr.. llBAUGH's 1R|OMPH
Brilliant HOuseWarming for the
Lafayette Square Playhouse.
"TZIGANE" WELL RECEIVED
De Koven's Opera Is Tuneful and the
Cast Does 1t Full Justice-Sfanage ger
AIbaugh and Miss Russell Were
Both Obliged to Say Something to
the Enthusiastic Audience.
IAN ,biprs come to him who waits"

Manager John W. Albaugh said this out
of the fuliness of his heart as he stepped upon
the stage OF the Lafayette Square Opera
House last night and presented to the people
OF Washington the magnificent play house
over whose destinies he is 10 preside
1t was a memorable scene, there in the
glitter OF incandescent lights, the soft glow
of green and gold and white, with vast
audience, still as death, listening to the
broken voice of the veteran manager The
stage which had a minute before been filled
with u. crush OF gorgeous color held only
that one figure in Its severe black suit, and
in place OF the crash of harmony were his
hesitatinE tones, thanking his friends for
what they have done for him andhoping that
he would deserve even more.
FILLED TO THE CEILING.
Thus was the playhouse dedicated. From
orchestra to the gallery, perched high
under the vaulling roof, through balcOny
and large circle, was packed an audience
drawn together FOR an event which falls
butseldoln but once in generations.
The spirit or tSe nour was alipervading,
and an entertainment Tar Inferior 10 tndt
which was accorded the honor OF frst
treadIng the boards OF the bright stage
would lave becu given warm reception.
Miss Lillian Russelrs lie has been 1ull
of SUGGEST, but there are Few she VIII
look back upon with pleasanter emotions
than this. SBe knew IL was not alone ner
own attractions which called together
this vast audience. and like a true artist
| she determined, as did every one III the
company. to deserve at least portion OF
| the credit, and make the audience feel when
the curtain had goirp down that it had seen
something more than tue iirst sish' oi
| splendid building. This she did.
iss Russell has had prettier operas
than '.TZlSaue." In fact, NJ r. De hoven
| has penued sweeter scores than this Rus
! sian congIomeration, but il il in measure
| tunefuI. pleasing while IT lasts, ana gor-
geously coStumed. III tlS last par
| ucuIaT NJ essrs. Abbey. ss,t and Gran
| have maintained thcn J.. ION
| TZIGANE Is REAaassJENT.
"Tzigane'' hints here ana there OF lines
| you have heard before. There are snatches
| of melody that seem familiar. but through
| it all runs the wlerd, strange strain- which
| Is distinctively Russian, and gives IL It's
| originality.
some OF the concerted numbers are
| splendid, particularly two, which carry
| tue refrain of the Russian national anthem
| and were spieudIdiy rendered by the
| strong chorus
Miss RusseT's Vera is like Miss Rus
sells everything else. 1t is distinctiveiy
| and peculiarly herself. SuperDiy dressed,
| Thoroughly self-possessed, and fascinating,
| it is possessed OF all those attributes wnicii
| have brought her to the front rank in lignt
opera. Her voice is as OF old. she proo.
| ABLY does not take the liberties with 1t
| she once did. but the opera calls Ior
| little which would require an effort.
THE Jewel" is sweet little song u the the
| second act, the refrain OF which is Love
| will come and love will 60 1t Is very
| De Koyenesque and touched with the ballad
| Ike airs of Robin Hood" This, win a
| duet between Vera and Casarnir, which
was well sung by Mt. Edwin Hoff. are the
| best songs in "Tzigane.
| Few Of the other characters call FOR
| much Miss Flora Finl6yso costumed and
| sang Maryska very pleasingiy. and in heI
| one Solo received an encore
| Miss Marie Celestes Nnetta was cute
| and clever.
PLENTY OF COMEDY.
| rxz-.atx- man wpra Dr,Sput three deem
| That extremely narrow gentleman, Mir.
| JoSenh Herbert has one of his orig gina
Creations, and Mr.. Fred Saiomon was as
clever as Charles Wayne in their respective
| parts OF Gen. Buguslaw and VarSiii.
As for the chorus 1t was all that could ot
desired. Careful training was evidence
| in the smOothness ami precision OF INT
| songs, marches and dances.
| Tne au,iieDcc was ID "a mood to be liberia
| and the applause was frequent and sincere
True for the greater portion OF the firsl
| act there was Il lack of responsiveness, Du
when Miss Russell finally secured the op
| portunity, this condition melted, and 9
| thorough sympathy was established.
When the curtain fell on the second acl
the Charming actress was compelled to shoa
her thanks and finally responded in nea
little speech OF thanks.
Then the audience demanded Mr Al Albaugh
and he told them of his Dfes ambition tt
own a tireater in Washington, and his emotion
ut seeing that ambition fulfilled-
Warm applause gave him promise = a
| StlDDOEt NOuio bt b4o oho hN bO"Nu Ia -
self off tbe stage.
For a medley OF all that is comprised in
the modern spectacular light opera ant
theatrical compositions, probably nothing
has recently been presented which has M
the popular taste more nearly than Little
| Christopier," gwen FOR the first time III
washington at the National last evening.
The house as crowded from front or
chesira chairs to lack seats of the upper
gallery ard the vcciferocs applause from
| every locality proved that the Washingtoi
audience was in full sympathy with tht
Immense tbrongs " hich have attested ths
popularity of the eurlesque elsewhere.
Collier, as OHooligaD, private detec
| tive to MIS-. Black, was sitic-splitting II
his various characters, quaint and success
| ful disguises, ard pretty play of VIII Mis-.
| Fannie Johnston " as charming in her song
| and by play OF Little Christopher. In th'
way OF graceful ard fantastic dancing in &
| -rcat array of brilliant costume, Miss Mabe
| Clarke chow ed herself to he a very success
fuI rival Of those famous dancers whoss
| foreign names have been a large Part o
! their stOck-in-trdde.
The songs Of Miss Louise Allen, hfis
I Johnston. and Master Dan Mcclellan v ef
| much bcttcrtnan the average OF such catch.