The times., 1897-09-18
soUTHwELL HERE.
Protector and Owner of Three Stock
Opera Companies.

OpeFA COMPANIES.
Mr.. Charles II. SouthweIl, the captain
general of the Castle Square forces. yes.
terday made flying visit to Washington
from Philadelphia TO attend rehearsal
of Mariana" Wanace's famous opera,
in which great things are expected OF the
company next week at the Columbia. Dir.
SouthweH was seated in the darkened Al
ditorium Of the theater when The Times
man met him for a chat about the pros
poets Of grand opera at popular prices as
his people render it.
The question" said Mr.. Southweu, lis
more OF a financial nature than a theatri-
cal one. While / hope earnestly. as does
every other manager, that the sun OF pros
perity is rising from its long sleep. still.
values are in depreciation and the prices
OF commodities lowered everywhere, save
in certain paths Of the theatrical bush
Eess. notably grand opera. Now, / regard
high-claSs music as commodity, because
ii is beneficial, an advantage as Web
ster defines the word / have employed.
Music ias its own influence on the
masses, the same today as when David
soothed with his melodies the soul of
Saul, and it is q great priyation TO those
who love the 'rh hythmiC passion OF tone as
the great masters have written it, to be
C3oistered from such enjoyment because
1t severe tariff placed on this pleasure by
nUted impresarios. We have tried TO
bridge the chasm in presenting classic pro
auctions regardless of expense at a price
within the reach of those possessing only
moderate means, and further by always
i ,4,s-. Fl, bir1 80
excellence in our singers This was dis
tinctive of our first performance and viii
never vary.
1T is always insanity for manager
to boast and make aimless arguments for
the sake of a moments notoriety aRd
advertisement But 1 can say honestly
and without egotism, never since the days
OF Emma Abbott has any opera company
company enjoyed the success Of the Castle
, Square company. Last Tuesday, in Phila-
dephia, TO a crowded house We celebrated
onr five hundredth performance at the
Grand Opera House, a theater especially
constructed for tie display of standard
grand opera. This shows The discern
meat of the public who viii not tolerate,
except for short time, the unworthy In
! any of the arts, be it literature, painting or
music The principals we have under our
mana cement are yerSed ia a repertoire
OF sixty five operas, with as many more
to draw from.
Very soon Washington will have the de-
light OF witnessing revival of the 'Fenc-
ing Master with all of the original prop
critics, costumes and accessories. Miss
| Grace Golden, who assumes the title role,
is peculiarly fitted for the part, as she
was understu1y for the creator OF the
character, Miss Marie Tempest, and pla yed
that Irish beauty's part nearly the hall
OF one season. Her work bore favorable
comparison, SO the critics said, with that
OF the Dresden china cantatrice, Here
is a list - said Mr. Soathwen, liz conclusion.
"of other opeias we have ia prepara tion;
The Algerians, II Trovatore, Don Caesar. ;
The Musketeers,' Tar and Tartar, Merry
Wives of Windsor The Jewess,' 'Czar and
Carpenter hob Roy Aida LIE Afri-
Cane Merry Monarch, .Tobasoo, 'orpheus