The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-31
AT THE THEATER.
Lillian Russell and Her Company in
THE Grand Duchess"

ne Orumu Duchess.
Lillian Russell. her diamonds and mag
nihcent costumes and her troupe Of comic
opera singers. delighted perhaps the finest
Savannah audience that has graced the
theater in years. with their performance
last night Of Ofenbach's famous master
piece, THE Grand Duchess"
Miss Russell. too. appeared pleased with
her reception, and she was in the best Of
spirits throughout the production. The
audience was remarkable, not alone in the
fact that it filed the house, but it was a
composite one and about as well delighted
with the evenings entertainment as Miss
Russell seemed pleased with her recep-
ton.
The chief interest was in the appearance
Of Miss Russell herself, Of whose sing
ing and of whose beauty, as well as other
traits and accomplishments, much has
been written. The entrance of The Grand
Duchess in her chariot was the signal for
general applause though her appearance
did not surpass expectations. Inc eXpec-
tatlOns, however, We're quite high Sew
eral hundred pairs of opera glasses were
turned upon the comic opera queen, and
no doubt every one scanned eagerly 10 see
what points of various newspaper and
critical descriptions they could verify.
Miss Russell was conspicuously the CEN
tral figure of the performance, venus
among the lesser planets, but her support
was satisfactory and up with the aver
age. Herbert. Solomon, Ling and w est
ford are excellent performers, as well as
others of the troupe, and are well suited
to comic opera roles
The production itself was one of hight
ened spectacular effect the glare ana
the show being strongly emphasized in
many parts to the diminution of musical
effects.
Miss RussePs singing does not attract
the ear alone; there is that musical mo-
ton that holds the eye, while the song is
simply heard and that is all.
The members of the company kept up
their end in adding to the spectacular eff
rouge ct noir that made it conspicuous.
Altogether the performance was generally
company will present Offenbach's La
Perichole" tonight, no doubt to as large
an audience as that which greeted her
at her first appearance in this city.
Miss Russell was in pet yesterday be-
cause the rain kept her from her wheel.
She is delighted with Savannah and
its climate, and her only regret is that
her short stay will prevent her seeing
more of it and it's beautiful surroundings.
Miss Russell had arranged yesterday for a
curious to see. The weather preventing,
the trip will be made to-day, if the con-
ditions are favorable.
Miss RusseiTs bicycle is worth a de-
scription. 1t was presented to her by the
Columbia people, and is a duplicate of
their prize exhibit at the worlds fair.
Inc machine IS gOlQ plated ana cost 3ouJ.
The wheels are painted in the Columbia
colors white and blue. Handsome as it
is, however, the machine Miss Russell
will ride when next she visits Savannah,
she says. will be far handsomer. 1t is be-
ing made by the United States Bicycle
Company of Chicago, and is to have Miss
Russell's name In Jewels on the bar. The
machine will be gold plated wherever
possible, and the handles are to be of
ivory, tipped with ebony. The machine is
to cost $1,000, or in the neighborhood of
that figure.
The singer was in a merry mood dur
ing the afternoon. and showed some of
the thousands of letters she receives.
This is one of them. My dear Miss Lillian
Russell: / would like very much to have
your picture, especially of such a DEAR.
beautiful face as thou hast. | am the
you kindly oblige by one" Miss Russell
receives songs from all parts of the coun-
try, with requests that she sing them in
her operas.
temps on leaving Augusta. There was
some hurry and hustle and during the
confusion the leader of the orchestra was
left behind. Nobody noticed him, however,
and the train pulled slowly out toward
the freight sheds which are just outside
the city. The train was stopping for the
freight when the people on board heard
a commotion, and on looking out they dis
covered Stemdorf. who is quite stout,
coming like a whirlwind behind team of
mules, which he was belaboring with his
umbrella. The more the train slowed up
the faster Stemdorf drove the mules and
just as the train stopped he reached the
rear platform. He scrambled on board,
gasping: Il catch him. by gracious"
La Perichole is Miss Russells favorite
opera. The master song is sung in the last
act, Il love you, you rogue" There is a
song in the first act, however, which may
move some of the sterner sex to enthusi-
assn. 1t is, I'm Just little bit full,
boys" and Miss Russell sings it in cos
tune too. After,a short stay in the south,
Miss Russell will return to New York,
where she will begin rehearsals for her
new opera. the Goddess of Truth.