The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-06

of the rhapsody in G minor, l like him
less IN this genre than in any other.
He lacks variety in his newly chosen
form. and is usually too heavy. not
sufficiently piquant. Chopin and Schu-
mann knew better how to do that sort
of thing. Beethoven's Bagatelles 1 do
not like, either, and of Schubert's pieces
CT the kind only few Brahms ought
to stick to the grand style"
Dr. Hanslick adds that in converse
ton as we'll as in letters to him Bill
roth repeatedly referred to the "senile
character" of Brahms later produc-
tons, and he agrees with Billroth. Yet
our discerning American Brahmsites
could be seen not long ago with their
eyes in fine frenzy rolling over these
'senle productions" as if they had been
masterpieces of genius. Alas for the
rarity of taste and sincerity.
A friend of mine, a little actress, who
was then doing a thinking part in
Days company, tells this stage-curtain
story of Miss Rehan:
The good-tempered Ada was standing
upon the middle OF the stage at re-
hearsal showing several of the younger
members of the company how to go
through their lines and perform certain
stage business. In the orchestra sat
John Drew and James Lewis.
You take this piece of embroidery
i in your hand" said Miss Relfan to the
struggling young actress, land you
draw stitch through it. You hear a
noise. You look up and see Herbert
at the window. You have not seen
him in year. Herbert, HERBERT you
cry, and fiinging the embroidery from
you, you rush to the window
Suiting the action to the word, Miss
Rehan gave great, glad bound toward
Herbert. There was a subdued snap.
Miss Rehan came to a standstill, with
an agonized expression on her face.
There was a silence, broken only by the
fall of pearl button.
Lower the curtain" cried the hero
inc.
Cant 60 it, mum; the curtains off
gettin' brushed
Then let the gentlemen retire to the
dressing room,' cried Miss Rehan in "A
Winter Nights Tale" tone.
Away they modestly filed. while the
curtain demonstrated its great use by
the keenness with which its absence
was felt.
Signor Mancinelli's opera, "Ero e
Leandro," had its first stage perform
ance at Madrid a few weeks ago, and
was pronounced a. success. The audi
ence. which included the Queen and the
royal Princesses, warmly applauded the
opera and it's composer, who personally
conducted. La Correspondence" says
that the opera is without question an
important work, appertaining 20 the
true modern Italian school as repre-
scented by the great Verdi, and infinite
ly superior, both as regards its artistic
and technical merits, to all other works
by the younger generation of ltahan
composers which we have heard here.
All honor to the Maestro Mancinelli.
May he continue to produce works OF
true art such as the present La
Epoca' had the following: Upon the
first appearance of Luigi Mancinelli to
take his seat in front Of the orchestra,
but little notice was taken of his ar
rival The public seemed Indifferent,
and some opposition even mingled Wdth
the first demonstration of applause.
Soon, however, the plaudits became
general. and there came moments when,
as in the first duet between the lovers,
the audience rose en- masSe TO break
out into perfectly frantic applause, in
terrupting for the moment the progress
of the scene with vociferous acclama-
TONS And these manifestations were
repeated many times during the even
ing"
"Cyrano de Bergerac," the new play
written by NJ. Rostand, author of La
Princesse Lontaine," has been pro-
duced with great success at the Porte
Saint Martin in Paris. 1t is a roman
tic comedy of which the Gascon soldier
and writer is the hero. Himself very
ugly, he is in love with Roxane, his
cousin, who loves handsome youth,
Neuvillet. Yet she appreciates Cyra-
nos bravery and wit, especially as his
rival, despite his fine exterior, is lack
ing in romance and intelligence. Cy-
rano passionately devoted writes in
his rivals name verses and prose, and
Roxane does not discover the deception
until he dies at her feet. Such is the
framework on which NJ Rostand has
constructed five acts. which are said
to be equally good as literature and as
drama. 1T is admitted. however, that
it is j one-character play, the one OBJ
ject Of it being the display Of the va
ried talents of the elder Coquelin, who
has an extraordinarily long part.
A silver cup of novel design was pre-
scented 10 the Minneapolis Club by Sol
Smith Russell, the well-known actor
and theatrical manager, on New Years
Day. The cup is fashioned in the form
of a flour barrel. typical of the great
Minneapolis industry
At Vienna the new management of
the Imperial Opera house has made it
q rule that no person will be allowed 10
enter the house after the overture is
finished till the end of the first act.
This means that unless one wishes to
miss the whole first part of a play he
has to be in his seat on time. Another
innovation is the suppression of the
claque. the hired body CT men who sit
in front and applaud at the right places
in order to lead the audience to do like
wise.
Bronson Howard and Charles Klein
have written a play called The Sean
dial Monger." Mr.. Howard's last play
"Aristocracy," embraced more scandal
than the American public wanted, az
the play has not been seen of late years.
+"
The will Of the late Mrs. John Drew
has been prohated. and her estate,
which amounts to only $500. is given to
her children.
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