The Portland daily press., 1898-03-08
MUSIC AND DRAMH.
TANNHAUsER THIS EVENING.


TANNHAUSER THIS EVENING.
All indications point toward one of
the most brilliant audiences ever seen
in Portland at the Damrosoh- Ellis. per
formance of "Taanhauser" this evening
at The Jefferson theatre, and although
number of choice seats.in different
parts of the house can still be obtained,
the strong probability of large delegations
coming from out of town and the rush
sxpeoted at the door will undoubtedly
dispose of the remaining sittings. One
car load of drops leach drop over 90 feet
in lengthy arrived at the theatre yesteI-
day afternoon and another OF scenery
in the evening. showing what elaborate
preparations is necessary for such an
event as grand opera production. The
stage hands, mechanics, carpenters, etc.,
arrive at 10 a. M, this morning with
the third car of properties and costumes,
but the members of the cast, chorus, bal
let and orchestra come in special train
of five cars over the Eastern division OF
5he Boston g. Maine, leaving Boston at
IL, arriving here at p. M, and as over
$50 people will be on this train the
Union Station will resemble somewhat
European depot for while at least,
as but few are of the company are Anne
ricans Mr. Da1lrosch will put up at
the Cumberland club, while the princi-
pals will stop at the Congress Square,
Preble and West End hotels. Every
thing is so systematlzed, however, that
things will quickly be in shape and the
performance will be given promptly at
7.30. Doors open at g. 40.
THE GRAND OPERA.
Although the sale of seats for the Dam
rosch- Ellis presentation Of Tannhauser
has been one of the largest ever known
in this city. so we'll adopted is the house
for such performance and SO large is the
company, both in regard to.the chorus
and orchestra. that any seat no. matter
where situated must necessarily be a good
one for witnessing such q performance
and the remaining ones will doubtedly
soon be disposed of.
While to many people the announcement
of performance of Grand Opera means
considerable, it does not convey to all
minds the real magnitude of such an un-
dertaking. In the first place it means
very considerable item for railroad trans
portation, as special train of five cars is
req uired to bring the company to this
city. For the stage department alone. In
addition to the regular employees OF the
house, the company brings two property
men, two stage carpenters two electricians
four wardrobe people and six men for the
handling of the scenes, etc. Then there Is
| the baIlst of twelve and the chorus OF
| forty eight, the stage manager and his
assistants, the 10 people in the cast and
| the grand orchestra of 58 musicians in ad-
dition to Mr.. Damrosch and the regular
business staff. In speaking of the orches-
| ira better idea may be obtained when
| it is known that two full rows or over 40
seats have to be removed to
| make way for these musicians.
Mr. Damrosch never cuts the production
| In any way when he makes the trips to
these smaller cities, but every little de-
| bhtI ls ccIoIulIy lOoAcu dlVoI anu oAAooS
rendered impossible by some local diff
GUILTY in connection with the stage no
difference can be seen between the per-
Torrance here and in New York or Bos-
| ton, and the facilities of the Jefferson
theatre are such that when the manage
ment announces exactly the same pro-
| duction as in these other cities the public
may rest assured that they will see just
what is advertised.
| Tannhauser is one of the most beautiful
and popular of the Wagner operas and
the cast necessary for it's production Is
one that cannot easily be surpassed either
in this or any other country at the. present
day and unless all signs and predictions
fail it will be witnessed this evening by
one of the most brilliant audiences Port.
land has ever seen, and this fact should
be matter of congratulation, for it will
doubtless ensure this city an annual visit
from Mr.. Damrosch and his magnificent
company.
| Ticket holders will please try and be
| in their seats before 7.30 o'clock at which
| hour the overture will begin. Those
who arrive after that hour will have to
stand until the end of the first act and
thesact is quite long. If the audience
will get to the theatre by seven o'clock,
or a few moments thereafter, there will
be no crush at the entrance. Excellent
seats are still on sale and can be secure
at the box office of The Jefferson during
today.