The record-union., 1897-10-24

name. 1t makes one think of knights
in shining steel, of doughty paladins,
of joustings and Journeys and of dolor
Gus strokes; also of melodious min
strels, decorous damsels, of hawking
and harping and nuptials with great
mobiles. We hear Rinaldo and think of
him who was the Achilles of the Chris
tian army that delivered Jerusalem; we
hear Capua and dream of the luxuries
which erst threw down the stern man
hood of Hannibal. Yet, after ALL Ri
naldo di Cupua was only a composer,
albeit romantically born and a sturdy
knight in Apollo's Court. The hand
books know little about him; Sir
George Groves great dictionary moth
ing at all. Yet his music rang pleas
antly in the public ear 80 years ago.
We open one of the thickest of Gray's
manuscript volumes, more than half
expecting to see an air from an opera
entitled 'Gerusalemme Liberata,
Orlando Furioso," 'Armida," or even
Rinaldo" such as Handel composed.
Alas, the airs which Gray has pre-
served are taken from q "Demetrio"
and ''Vologeso''-one surely, the 9TH
er probably a Russia opera
Thursday evening of this week the
Capital concert series opens for the
winter season. The musical public is
gratified that Messrs. Cohn and Kidder
have assumed the responsibility for
this second series. We have no doubt
whatever of the result; it will be sue
cess. Unquestionably the managers
l. ~ Jor,
we have ever had brought here for a
musical series. More than thirty ar
lists have been engaged. and they are
of the best the State affords. Among
those engaged fer the first concert are
Rhys Thomas, tenor, late of the Carl
Rosa and of the Tivoli Opera Compa-
nies, and also of the Francis Wilson
Company; Anna Miller Wood. contral-
to of the First Unitarian Church Choir
of Boston; Gulio Minetti, violin solo
ist, first prize winner at the Conserv-
atory of Turin; Donald de v Graham,
the well-nown baritone; Constance
Jordan, finished accompanist. Alex
Rosborough humorist, will vary the
programme-and there are others Of
equal merit By the way, let Messrs.
Cohn and Kidder insist, not request,
that the women auditors remove their
hats at these concerts. The auditorium
floor is on a level. One cannot see the
performers if behind another who
wears a hat, even in a theater, let alone
in an auditorium with a level floor.
The truth is, that women who go and
will not remove their hats, vote them
selves bores and nuisances, and ought
to be compelled to retire.
f. S. Willard said some years ago
when asked what he thought of schools
of acting, that there is only one school,
and that has for it's base a seat in the
theater from which one may observe
the performance of an actor that has
become expert in his art
Roland Reed says: 'I have observed
lately many indications that the old
stock system, so long in vogue in this
country, which was superseded a few
years ago by the combination, is to be
revived in a minor way. 1t may be as
we'll to explain that the stock system
has reference to permanent companies
in which one set of actors essays many
parts, and the combination to the
travelling companies, like Mr.. Jeffer-
sons, Mr.. Goodwin's, or my own, which
are seen in one or possibly two plays in
a season.
THE combination is a comparatively
new theatrical idea. 1t came into vogue
some twenty years ago. Before the
travelling company, supporting a star,
became popular the star jOurneyed
from town to town where stock compa
nies were located and assumed leading
roles in the standard dramas. When
Macready came here from England, for
instance. he did not bring his own com
pany with him, but was supported, as
were Charlotte Cushman, Joseph Jeffer-
son and other famous actors and act
resses in the forties and fifties, by the
stock companies in the different cities
where they appeared. With the com
ing of cheaper and quicker means of
transportation than the stage coach,
canal or steamboat, the star naturally
organized his own company, saving the
terror Of constant rehearsals."
San Francisco Music and Drama:
Charles Dickson, who comes. to Cali
fornia with Lost, Strayed or Stolen,
will be starred later in the season in
1.-The Prince and the Prima Donna"
Mr.. Dickson has not been here for some
time and will be sure of a warm re-
ception.
Harry Benrimo's clever character por-
traiture in THE First Born" is thus
commented upon by the critic of the
Sun: THE finest piece Of individual
acting was furnished by ]. H Benrimo,
as a Chinese pipe-mender." 1t will be
found by examination that the Rec
ord Union" pronounced the same opin-
ion when the play was given here.
The comic opera, 'An American
Beauty" which was played by Lillian
Russell, with good results, is heading
toward the coast with the charming
little artistic, Corinne, in the leading
role
The Girl From Paris one of the
big Eastern successes which has now
settled down for a twenty weeks run
at the Park Theater in Boston, comes
to California next February.
Francis Carlyle Of the Frawley COM
pany halls from Hartford. Conn, where
he used to be known as Joseph McNab.
He was a hotel clerk there when Gus
tave Frohman induced him to go on
the stage.
The well-known viohnist Teresina
Tua, now Countess Franchi-Ve1ney,
has been nominated an officer of the