The record-union., 1897-01-10

nights here and matinee. THE New
South" will be given for but one night,
Saturday.
New York Herald: You have no
doubt heard grand opera at the Metro
politan this season. Perhaps you have
wandered with Faust and Marguerite
in that wonderful moonlit garden where
they sang their love in tones that dazed
and almost panied you with their
sweetness. while the orchestra throbbed
Gounod's soft, sensuous music in ac-
&C Impairment.
And you have sighed, perhaps, for
life does not move to music In this end
of the century, and the men in even
ing address seem strangely unpictur-
esque and unlovely compared to Faust
in his purple doublet and hose or
Faust in his dashing carmine cape and
feathers. And you can pick out many
Fausts, but few Marguerites-so you
wait breathlessly for the curtain to
rise again on the other world that you
have been living and loving in.
That is on your side of the curtain.
! saw it the other night from behind
the scenes. and at close range heard
Melba's notes Of liquid pearl mounting
UP to the flies, where they transflxed
the perilous workmen bending over
from their perilous position to catch the
beauty Of the sounds. Stage hands
pressed against openings in the canvas
&c watch Lassalle in his great death
scene, and greeted him in tirnid ap-
piause when the act was over, and
pretty painted chorus girls peered over
their neighbours shoulders to follow the
De Reszkes about with adoring eyes,
and clsLpped their little powdered hands
together as the great roar Of applause
came in from the front of the house.
The rain was falling outside in a
misty, miserable drizzle when reached
the opera house, but within Nine Mel
ba,s dressing room It was warm and
fragrant and delightful. She had fin
ished dressing for the vision scene in
the first act, and her maid was just
arranging her hair in the two long
braids that are Marguerite's distin-
gushing coiffure, for Melba is Mar
et,ertt. who scorns a wig. There were
candles burning in great golden sconces
upon the draped table where the diva
sat before a mirror. trilling a few silver
notes that she wanted TO feel surer Of.
She wore the pretty peasant dress of
she oner-a. with its side chatelaine and
bag of leather. 1t Is peasant dress
sylorifbad by a great French dressmaker,
the skirt hanging close to the hgure IN
fine nleats of brown material, and trail
ing upon the stage with fine disregard
of dust.
Another maid in a corner Of the room
was filling the casket with pearls Tor
the tevveI scene, and the prayer book
Law ready on a table. And every mo-
yner+ there was knock at the door
for desnste all precautions, notes and
messages and inquiries VIII ma the!r
way to the dfva's dressing room.
Boxes were handed In through the
doorway. some with flowers that fnade
fhe air fragrant. One was filled wQ'h
beautiful fresh marguerites' anu Meioa
smiled as she saw them
.I always have the real ones she
said. IT could not sing with arnhciai
daisies: IL would spol every thihg 10
me-"
Then a voice at the door says Is
Nine. Melba ready?" and she answers
.All ready. Jack" and we go upon the
stage, which Is ready for the rise OF the
curtain. The overture music IS souhd-
ing from without, and around from al
sides come stray notes or tFlai iioHi
different voices: muffied bits OF tue
scales in deep masculine basso ana per
slcuely high soprano notes from SOM