The sun., 1897-11-14
French Tragedy in Boston Style.

French Tragedy in Boston Style.
Sanders Theatre. part of the memorial
| building erected by Harvard University in
honor of her sons who fell in the civil war,
and the place where the commencement
exercises and other state ceremonies of the
university are held, will be the scene this
winter of q curious contest between the
French department Of Harvard and body
of the students associated for the pur-
pose of improving their speaking knowl.
edge Of the French language and calling
itself in print by the somewhat cumber.
some title OF "Le Cercle Francais de rUni-
versit6 de Harvard" While the origin
and causes Of the dissension may be rather
obscure, its public manifestations have
aroused interest In eastern Massachusetts,
and will provide entertainment and in
struction during the winter for select Bos.
ton audiences.
The "Cercle Francais," or French Club,
has only in late years attained social emil
nence among the societies of Harvard. For
many years 1t had plodded along modestly
and unnoticed, like all other college lit
erary societies, its highest ambition being
the occasional production of little comedy
for the delectation of Its own members.
With the advent Of an enthusiastic
instructor of histrionic tastes, how
ever. this was all changed. The Cercle
discovered that it must make its In.
f1uence felt, and proceeded to startle
the university with its theatrical exploits.
It's most brilliant achievement was the pro-
duction of MoLIERE's lie Bourgeois Gen
tilhomme," with an interpolated ballet
which cast the efforts of the Hasty Pud-
| ding and Pi Eta clubs into the shade.
Boston society saw that a new star had
arisen, and forthwith took up "Le Cercle
Francais" and its performances. The club
seemed duly grateful to the instructor
through whose efforts its social transforma-
tion had been accomplished.
Accidents will happen, however, in the
best of clubs. Last spring the harmony
between the Cercle Francais and its ener-
getic instructor was disturbed NJ. BRU-
NETIERE of the French Academy, appeared
in Cambridge and lectured in Sanders
Theatre. He was introduced to the au-
dience by professors of the French depart
ment. The Cercle Francais asserted
that he had been invited to lecture by
the club at its expense, and that he
should have been introduced by the
clubs officers. War to the knife was
declared between it ard it's instructors,
and each side has entered upon campaign
in the enemy's country. The Cercle has
invited a number of professors from other
colleges and French men Of letters to lee
ture In Sanders Theatre before Harvard
University, while the French department
announces at the same place theatrical
exhibition. which will wither forever the
Cercle's dramatic laurels.
In a circular decorated with the seal of
the university, though the motto Christie
ct Ecciest9 seems rather out Of place, the
professors Of the department of French
advertise three performances of RAoINE's
"Athalie," the most ladylike play of the
most feminine French poet. No attempt
will be made to reproduce the play as ii
was given originally by the young women
in Nine. DE MA1NTENoN's boarding school
at Saint Cyr, and of course q biblical ballet
cannot be introduced, but histrionic genius
has found possibilities for display even In
"Athalie." AS the circular points out:
"The spsndor of the mise en- scsne. the iutroduc
ton Of large number Of subordinate characters and
G0urants. and the use OF vocal and Instruments
music not only In the choruSes which link tc
another but In the body Of the play itself. Il
heiGhten the interest OF the work. The tragedy will
be performed by company of students, graduates
and Instructors of Harvard University and Radolln.
College"
Mise en- scene, as Bostonians should know
means stage setting; while the fGurant is 6
character often taken by undergraduates
on less dignified stages and vulgarly known
as the "supe."
To "helghten the interest" the principal
parts will be intrusted to two young ladies
of Boston not connected with the univer
, sity. tho choruses will be sung by the Bos
ton Cecilia Society, and MENDELssoHN'i
music will be rendered by the Boston Sym
phony orchestra under the direction of Bos
toms Mr.. b. j. LANG.
: Yet there is discordant note in thil
beautiful prospectus that will jar disagree
: ably throughout the land. The illustrated
: libretto Of "Athalie" by the side of RA
: oINE's text will contain "a juxtalineal
translation made expressly for this occa
sion" by Prof. Frederic CESAR DE SUM
r oHRAsT. Has Harvard grown skeptical o
Boston's knowledge of Frenchi Or doe
, Prof. DE SUMICHRAsT fear that Boston so
cietY. for yEhnaa festivitiea Harvard aee