The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-09

The second Salt Lake Eisteddfod is
now a. matter OF history and the man
agement are taking a long breath to
find that they viii come out of the big
enterprise even. After the two opening
sessions the outlook was decidedly
squally. Business, however, took a
great jump on the last two evenings,
and while the attendance at no time
reached the stupendous figures of two
years ago the receipts will equal the
disbursements if they do not go slight
ly ahead of them, and with that the en-
terprising Cambrian society Is salts
fed.
Two causes have contributed to bring
the financial results down below the
figures of the first Eisteddfod. One was
the fact that the Denver people backed
out at the last moment, and that the
Montana band also Withdrew This
limited the interest to Utah contest
ants and, Of course, there was less to
appeal to the public than as if organi-
cations from outside the state entered.
Next, the affair was not the novelty it
had been two years ago, and a great
many people, this class comprising the
theatre going public of Salt Lake, re-
membered the extreme length to which
the sessions of the EistedGfod were
spun.out before, and remained away on
that account. 1t must be said, in pass
ing, that the present affair was very
little improved in this respect, and the
sessions cannot be expected to appeal
to the city folk unless they can be COM
pressed within the hours that the aver
age amusement-lover has to devote to.
his evenings entertainments.
From an artistic standpoint the re-
suits have been high. Too much praise
cannot be accorded to the management
for striking out as boldly as they did in
bringing from distant Wales a figure
so eminent as DR.. Parry to act as adj
Indicator. The effect of this move was
in itself immense as an advertisement,
and If the doctor had been called upon
to pass on the merits of Utah's crack
choir as compared with the Denver or
ganiZation, it would have been the
cause of much cOngratulation. 1t is
understood that the doctors salary and
expenses for this trip amount very
closely to $1,000.
The receipts for the four sessions of
the Eisteddfod, not counting last
nights lecture, will not be far from
$4,000. The expenses will probably be
close upon that figure, and if there is
any margin at all it viii be due to the
fact that,the Cambrian society, through
the energy Of its officers, worked up
subscription from several leading
houses to cover some of the cash
prizes.
The .Gambrians deserve the warmest
thanks of all music lovers for this ener-
gy and enterprise. and all will hope that
when their balance sheet is finally
struck their margin of profit may be
much larger than now appears proba-
bic.
@ 9 @
From the time the curtain first rose
Until it descended on the last act of
THE Queens Lace Handkerchief at
the Salt Lake Theatre last evening,
there was not a moment but what was
filled with interest and pleasure. Not
Nithstanding the fact that the pre-
Vious efforts of the Salt Lake Opera
company have been eminently success
full, there was an air of ease and con-
Edence, gained by experience, which the
company not only carried among them
selves, but which they seemed to con-
vey to their immense audience.
Miss Sallie Fisher as the Queen of
Portugal sang very beautifully and
read her lines like a, professional. She
has improved wonderfully since her
first first appearance. She has a more
graceful and easy stage presence, and
her voice is more mature and smooth.
In the various changes of court cos
tunes she made a very elegant appear
ance. She was frequently recalled. !
Miss Savage strengthened the good
impression previously made, and was
recalled for each of her best songs. I'm
fortunately, there is no solo of prom |
inence for either her or Miss Fisher. |
In fact, the whole opera is one that is
tuneful and every way charming, with |
out giving any one of the principals the /
whole show
OF the gentlemen, Messrs. Spencer, |
Piper, Goddard, Campbell and Gill held /
about even honors. Messrs. Spencer |
and Campbell, with their witticisms, |
kept the house in roar; MeSSrs. God |
dard and Piper, both old favorites for ,
their fine voices, and Mr.. Gill, a more |
recent addition to the forces, who won |
a well-deserved encore for his excellent |
rendition of the Biff-Baff song from
1.-The Serenade'' (recently given by the |
The chorus was, as usual, |
strong, smooth and well trained. Their |
finale to act second was a very fine eff
fort and was vociferously recalled. Mrs. |
Nell Clawson Brown as the Marchion-
ess made considerable amusement Her
humor is keen and fairly bubbles over, |
and the audience were quick to appre-
ciate il. Miss Louie Felt, charming in
any garb. was specially so in one Of
white satin as the dancing master.
She held the stage" while this
act was on. She, in connection with
Misses Pitt, Wallace, Barrow and Saw
age, as the bull fighters, were very /.
pretty, while the same in the black
gowns and pointed hats, as the doctors,
were very charming. Mr.. Sibley had a
small part, but made considerable of
it. His scene with Spencer, where he
plays the deaf old man, was a gem.
The costumes were the finest yet
used. The Salt Lake costume house
has purchased everything new and of
fine quality The dresses worn by
Misses Savage, Fisher and Brown, and
also the court ladies, were very rich
and excellent, and looked much finer
than the old costumes formerly rented
from the San Francisco houses The
emery, painted by Mr.. Anderson, spe-
eially for the opera, was a grand effort.
The scene showing the palace illumin-
atel was a beautiful sight and drew
forth much applause.
There was not a mishap nor acct
lent, everything running as smoothly
Is could be desired. this being the
work. of Mr.. II. G. Whitney, who was
given three cheers by the company be-
ore they. separated for the night The
house was packed back to the doors,
many ladies standing throughout the
Whole performance. At the matinee yes
erday afternoon there was an immense
hrong-said to be the largest matinee !
audience ever packed in the theatre
Dr.. Joseph Parry, accompanied by Mrs.
lizzie Thomas Edwards, attended the
performance, and expressed himself as
,eing very much delighted. Professor
Neihe in honor of DR.. Parry's visit |
violin solo between acts.
his proved a treat to the doctor, and a
elight and surprise to the audiences.
J.