The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-07
AN oPERATIc BLESSING.
Lillian Russell i'm "Grand Duchess,
md ..La Perichole,, This Week.

Lillian Russell in ssGrand Duchess,
and .La PerichoIe' This Week.
The advent of Miss Lillian Russell at
English's Opera House tomorrow, Tues
day and Wednesday evenings will create
the usual furore in feminine circles. The
women will all want to know what she is
going to wear. For the benefit of those
who do like pretty gowns and magnificent
jewels a description of the costumes worn
by Miss Russell in the operas, La Grande
Duchesse" and Perichole,' is furnished
by the management. The first scene in the
former represents the encampment of the
troops of II. r. H., the Grand Duchess of
Gerolstein, who pays a visit to the camp
to review her troops. The fair Duchess
makes her appearance in a sleigh drawn
by beautiful little ponies. She is dressed
a la militaire, by way of compliment to
her soldiers, and this costume is coquettish
and becoming. 1t is of fine light cloth,
made with three capes lined with brilliant
crimson and trimmed with fur. On her
sunny hair is set a little cap, braided in
black and gold, and having two white
pompons arranged in the front. At the
conclusion of this act there occurs what
is said to be the most realistic snow storm
ever seen on the stage. The air is so thick
with the driving flakes that the performers
are almost hidden from sight. Miss Rus
sell springs into her sleigh and drives dash
hnsly around the stage, with the glare of
the colored lights thrown upon her. These
little ponies of hers are enthusiasts, and
can hardly be held in while standing at
the wings waiting for their cue, which they
are said to know as well as any one.
In the second act, which takes place in
the ducal palace, the Duchess appears in
all her magniicence. The gown worn in
this scene was made by one of the most
ANGUS costumers of New York, and is of
white satin, heavy with gold embroidery.
The court train is of cerise velvet, trimmed
in ermfne, and the superb jewels worn with
this gown are almost priceless. Most of
them are diamonds, in crescents, stars and
pendants, with a few. sapphires of magnif-
cent water intermixed. There are Jewels
In her hair, and as she moves about the
stage with the lights flashing upon them
she is the same vision of beauty and grace
that has long since been her recognized
charm.
But the gown worn in the third act is a
veritable picture. The bodice is of green
velvet and the skirt of a silk so soft, so
plant, so light and exquisite in texture
that 1T has to be seen to be appreciated.
The women are expected to give a gasp as
they catch sight of this robe, which is worn
over a petticoat OF eoId lace, and can be
thrown over the arm or twisted about like
will wonder how Fritz could prefer Wanda
to this gorgeous woman. impersonated SO
nl2Sn1HcenIlY DY the = Lillian. and will
go away execrating his bad taste:
In La Perichole'' Miss Russell first ap-
pears as a poor girl dressed in rags, but,
be it known, very artistic rags, and ia
every way furnishing a fitting setting to
her beauty of form and face. In the sec
ond act, which takes place in the palace of
the Viceroy, she dazzles her audience with
a gown of white satin, embroidered in
gold, and having a court train of green
velvet. In the third she appears in a pic
turesque Spanish costume, with which is
worn q fetching Toreador hat, perched on
one side of her head, 1t is in this opera,
also, she sings the famous Letter Song
and a new and brilliant waltz composed for
her by a celebrated composer of Europe.
Miss Russell is looking handsomer and
more winsome than ever, and a revival of
these two splendid operas of oTenbach will
music. 1t was in these operas that Schnei-
der, the famous bouffe opera singer, made
a tremendous hit and captured the heart
of the Prince of Wales, who, it is alleged,
would hasten to Paris at her beck and call.
A new and brilliant Iibretto has been writ
a rare treat during this half week engage
ment. 9TH Grand Duchess will be given
tomorrow and Tuesday nights and la
engagement. Both OPERAS are to be staged
and costumed magnifcently. The company
numbers nearly one hundred and the or
chestra consists of twenty pieces.
The casts of the two operas contain a
number of well-known singers. who should
he in this city. For .The
Grand Duchess the cast is:
Fritz. Richie Ling
General Roum. Mr.. Hallen Mostvn
Prince Paul..........-Mr. Harold c. Blake
Baron owen Westford
Nepomuc. George Honey
First Spencer Kelly
Wanda. Miss Annie Myers
Iza..,..-....-....Miss susanne Leonard
The Duchess of Geroistein.
Miss Lillian Russell