The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20

tho translation Of his Immensely success
ful molodrama, In Old Kentucky into
the German language for purposes OF
production iu that tongue IN certain
American cities and also in Germany.
NJ. Giutry. who has long been tho add
mirable leading man for Sarah Bern
hardt. has aatly refused an invitation 10
ioin the ranks Of the Theatre Franchise.
He says the salaries paid by that institute
ton are too small 10 attract his consldera-
tion.
The scene in De Wolf Hopper's now
opcra. "Tho Charlatan." which is being
written by Charles Klein and John Philip
Sousa. is laid in northeastern Russia at
the base or the Ural mountains, and the
time of the opera is somewhere between
that far of day when the Nisigoths ran
everything and everybody I'm sight ana
the present day Of Spanish-Amcrican agi-
tation.
The most melancholy thing OF q musical
nature that has happened at the Baldwin
since that night several years ago when
company t.-., had been appearing in
"The Fencing Master" smote us with a
Denver comic comic opera by the namc
OF "The Bathing Girl was the Bosto-
MANS production last night Of Jules Jor-
dams operate version Of RIP Van
Winkle"-San Francisco Call. Barnabee
played Rip
Mimi. Maddern Fisko S. that wonder
mi thing. a child prodigy who has
amounted 10 something. 1T IS always
considered in the profession that a child
who is remarkable for her acting VIII
peter out and become mediocre i'm her
adult years" said an experienced actress,
"but Minnie Madden was always clever.
At the age of four she made hit ~
Niblo's i'm Fritz and q year or two later
her talents were earning her $50 % week.
Lent has closed all theatres
I'm Russia since the beginning Of Alexan-
der HIS reign. A recent ukase now per-
mits plays TO be performed during the
penitential season. with the exception OF
the first and last weeks A distinction
is made however, between grand opera
and serious dramas on the one hand and
comic opera on the other, the latter being
strictly forbidden unless given in for
eign language. Local authorities may
prohibit any performance II they see III.
Nine. Melba's proposed tour through
the small cities of the northwest Will
carry opera into many places that have
never heard u before from so eminent
"a singer. and the whole scheme revives
the memories of those earlier Journeys
which useG 10 be popular twenty or
more years ago when lima Oh Murska,
Parepa Rosa and other famous singers
were able 90 undertake such ventures
with great profit Nine. Melba IS to take
a small company, travel I'm special car,
and sing The Barber of Seville and
possibly one or two other operas, al
though 81 is difficult 20 believe that
"Faust" is 10 be one OF the works given
in this way.
The plays the thing now ms II was
when Shakespeare said so. a good play
with weak players IS better entertain
mcnt than the strong performance OF an
Intellectual piece The midnight Oil OF
genius often greases the wheels OF medic
Gritty But even more than good play
the actor needs good role. However
excollently drama may be constructed.
unless he has "a character I'm II when
enable him To declare his qualities, the
PLAYER remains obscure. For half dozen
years Ferdinand Gottschalk was q no.
body in the kosina NOkes troupNe. ne
discovered his first opportunity IN 'Ihe
Amazons and awoko TO find hlmscI
famous. Yet 40 is not reasonably 20 be
supposed that Gottschalk was better
actor after than before the rise OF the
first night curtain on the Pinero farce.
Nor that within three hours Richard
Mansfield learned the technique Of his
art. Yet at 5 o'clock ON the opening
night of "A Partisan Romance he was
unknown. ana II he had established him
self "a celebrity. The author wins fortune
bv hard work. an actor by opportunity.
A successful drama IS the result OF talent.
study and logical argument, q successIul
actor is often the result of accident. The
combination of an the adverse fates can
not deny prosperity TO a gifted dramatist'
but the stage holds I'm ohscurity many
clever actor who needs only "a fitting role
TO lift himself into fortune. The CON
tempt of leading lady for the part OF
Ann sylvester allowed a walking lady 10
attempt the role, and next morning Clara
Morris was the talk of the town. The
finding of that extraordinary doggerel'
Tarra-bOom-de-ay. made Lotuo Col
Inns famous. Authors make their own
fortune. actors are generally the sons OF
u.-IHniar 1il in New York Press.