The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-15

n tAo Att8 ttttEt ktlitr ~ Will ~
export In the last act OF ~Gismonda," the
great cathedral scene
Monday viii be Davenport souvenir night.
There win be no Saturday night perform
ance. The Saturday matinee will be the
only one. and will begin promptly at 100
O'Clock The advance sale Is already large
Grand-Francis Wilson In Two Operas.
Among the first comic opera comedians
stands Francis Wilson, This is so not only
because OF Mr.. Wilson'S eminent talent. but
because he has made a record for offering
his patrons only that which is the best OBJ
tainable in his chosen line OF entertain
ment. This excellence for which Mr.. Will
sons productions are famous applies not
only to the details OF the performances as
they appear when put on the stage. but to
their very inception. He goes TO the best
market for his goods. Unlike many, he does
not give his New York audiences one pro-
duetion and. those he finds on tour another.
1t is a matter of pride with Mr.. Wilson
not to let his performances deteriorate from
the beginning of the season TO Its close.
Hence the comedians coming engagement
in this city is an event of especial impor-
lance, and the more so that he will be seen
in two operas which are among the best in
their different classes that have been put on
the stage. One of these is 9Th Merry Mon
arch" the nbretto of which is an adapta-
ton from the French made by Mr.. J.. Cheev-
er Goodwin, while the music is by Mr.. Wool
son Morse. This opera set a fashion which
has, since its production, been followed by
many. but never with the result OF producing
anything nearly so good as the Original
The score is said to be replete with delight
their hearers in the most captivating fashion,
while the book Is a classic among comic
opera nDrettos. Its lyrics are almost with
Iogue STIMULATES with phrases which would
force a smile from the hypochondriac. THE
Merry Monarcb" is a burlesque opera, and,
being such, IT admits of the introduction OF
all sorts OF amusing extravaganza, and of
these opportunities no man knows better
tnan Mr.. Wilson how to take advantage.
The other production in which the COM
ed1an viii be seen, however, is of the DUR
est type of comic opera. 1t is the work of
that most charming of composers, Sir Arthur
Sullivan. and is called The Chieftain.' 1t
was first produced ar the Savoy Theater,
London. in December, 1884. and Mr.. Wilson,
having purchased the American rights, gave
1t its first production in this country at Alb
Deys Theater. New York. last September.
TO be very easily remembered, yet at the
same time musicianly. and the orchestration
h miu Ve c lTfha pssrn nnGi delightful ftsd to the
or the opera are laid in Spain, and the COM
poser has put plenty Of local color into his
work The book tells most entertainingly
of the adventures of a British tourist in
Spain who is captured by a band of brigands
and compelled to become their chieftain and
~ ID pdTIlCu-
larry interesting for the victim, in view of
the fact that he already has a wife in Eng
husband, and many comicai complicstions
result, of course, though matters are finally
straightened out to the satisfaction of all
Neither of these operas mas been seen in
this city. Mr. Wilson's company includes
among the list of principals Miss Lulu Gla-
Macdonald, Miss Alice Holbrook. Miss elena
Wright, Mr.. Rhys Thomas, Mr.. John F..
Brand. Mr.. j. G. Miron. Mr.. Z. p. Temple
and Mr.. Peter M. Lang. The musical di-
rector of the organization is Signor A. De
Mr.. Wilson comes to the Grand Opera
House next Thursday, March 10, for three
nights ana a matinee. He will present The
Merry Monarch" on Thursday and Friday
matinee and night performances on Satur-
DAY. Inc orchestra will be augmented for
the occasion. The advance sale of seats for
this engagement will open at the Pembroke
Arcade tomorrow morning. After Mr.. VIII
sons engagement Indianapolis will have no
more opera this season, a fact that will make
the coming two productions all the more
popular.
Park-"The DefauIter- To-Morrow.
THE Defaulter." Lincoln ]. Carriers new
production. will appear at the Park to-
morrow, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the
usual daily matinees. The story hinges on
the defalcation Of a young bank manager
In England who has married a charming
girl. He persuades his wife that he is in
nocent and that his enemies have conspired
to ruin him.. She believes and clings 70
him. He is convicted by proofs indisputa-
bic and sentenced to the Australian penal
settlement for life, with his confederate.
leaving his wife broken-hearted. with their
child. a girl of six years. Ten years roll
by. and he has written to her to come out
and bring with her a certain box of papers
which will help him prove his innocence.
Il Snh GOTnnIIQG a tho ~rfz@ he &@IT- - A.
rent a house and apply for two convicts to
act as servants. She does so, and desig-
He demands the box that she has brought,
and, TO her dismay, she finds it contains
the proceeds of his robbery instead of proof
with undertaking love. They live in luxury.
and he and his companion sink deeper and
deeper In debauchery. The wife bears it
snail marry his partner in crime, and then
the long,sufering woman rebels. He in
one resort is left to her. She can dismiss
her convict servants and send them back
TO the galleys... She pleads with him, but
to no avail. till at last, to save her child,
she speaks the word that once more sends
her husband to the galleys and her daugh-
ter is saved, while her love for the father
| forts.
Isham's Octoroons, thirty in number. come
70 the Park next Thursday for three DAYS.
The programme embraces a number of
clever and original sketches, singing, lively
dances and amusing novelties. Among the
artists are Madame Flower, the acknowl-
edged leading singer of high-grade opera of
her race; Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Mcintosh. the
Mallory brothers, Matte Wilkes, the Hyer
sisters, Tom Brown, Fred ]. Piper. the barry
tone; johnson and May and others. Among
the many features will be the Spanish ball
let, an extensively costumed act, which is
presented with special scenic effects.
Sipe & Do1man Dog and Pony Show.
The Sipe & Dolman dog and pony show
closed a most successful two weeks en-
gagement at English's Opera House last
night. Their business has been something
p~henonlSatr in the annals of the local play
houses. They nave by all odds the largest
and best show of its class ever seen in this
city, carrying nearly a hundred trained
dogs and ponies, whose intelligence seems 10
De almost human. Chief among their per-
formers are Caesar, the 81, 900 St Bernard:
Grand Rapids, the worlds challenge high
and long-distance-leaping greyhound; How
ard, the champion riding dog of the world:
Jocko, the famous dog rope walker: the
Maloney family of spaniels, together with
| the handsomest and best trained ponies now
before the public. The show travels in its
own Pullman cars. Indeed, it is an equine
and canine circus Last tenting season 1T
campaigned Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylva-
mia. doing an immense business. and as