Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-12-24

Sentation of Dumas nero as before Tues
day evening Mr. O'Neill will give his only
performance of "Virginus.' The part of
Nlrg1nius is one to which Mr.. O'Neill is
eminently fitted, both by nature and art
He possesses commanding personality, ir-
resistible magnetism and wonderful
strength, which he only uses moderately in
MS famous representation of Edmond
Dantes, in Monte Cristo.' His perform
ance, therefore, of the proud Roman father
may indeed be looked forward to as a real
ly artistic one. Thursday evening and Sat
urday matinee Mr.. ONei:l will present for
the flrst time here his lew play, when
Greek Meets Creek" four act romantic
drama. which Joseph Hatton ESQ., drama
TIED especially for Mr.. O'Neill from his
celebrated novel of the same name. A
strong resem olance between Henri and his
half brother. Grehauval. a deputy of the
revolutionary tribunal in France, serves to
prlns aoout the most stirring scene in the
play Henri kills Grebauval, who previous
ly had imprisoned both Henri and his lady
Matnlide de Louvet and having done so,
Henri takes the place of Grebauval and
carries out the functions of his office with
out any one knowing the difference Miss
Minnie Radcliffe and Mr.. Edmond L. Breese
are the two leading members of Mr.. O'NeilFs
company Others in the cast are: T. G.
L'ngham, Frederick Hartley, Mark Ellis
worth, w. j. Dixon, Aubray Beattie. Her.
bert Allison. James Edwards, Thomas Bar
tie, IL. c. Cameron, J. c. Gilbert, Robert
Halle, Joseph Hawk, Kate Fletcher, Louise
Collins and Elizabeth Baker.
KERNAN's LYCEUM THEATER-The
attraction at kernans Lyceum Christmas
week is one that will be sure to please both
the young and old. That favorite comedian
AL. Reeves, with his big, famous company
of twenty-five whites and twenty-five
blacks, will be there in potpourri of new
and catchy music, funny situations and
dances, new and magnificent scenery, hand
some women, gorgeous wardrobe and grand
electrical effects. Mr.. Reeves stands with
in, hfe- I, tl-x I.
show is laughter from start to finish The
show Is composed of chorus of thirty
women, who are shapely and beautiful and
all or whom possess strong voices. There
is very amusing satire that opens the
performance, entitled THE Ladies of Life
where AL. Reeves big minstrels will be in
troduced. Then follows oio of up-to-
GATE spec1alties, with such well-known peo-
pie as Mitchell and Joss, Barton and Ash
ley, Miss Zoe Bail. the phenomenal contral-
to: Cope Sisters, Emerson and Omage, Alice
Gray, lady cornetist De Graft Sisters Miss
Fanny Fern Thatcher, the Unique Quartet
and AL Reeves and his two-dolar banjo,
concluding with an up-to-date operetta bur
letta entitled America, How Are Your"
introducing chorus of fifty voices The
snow is thoroughly clean and non-sugges-
tive throughout.
THE GRAND OPERA SEASON-The So
cial and musical elements of this city are
deeply interested in the forthcoming opera
week of January . at the Lafayette Square
Opera House. by the Ellis Opera Company
under the direction of Charles A. Ellis
one of the most interesting features in
connection with these announcements is
the fact that the instrumental accompani-
ment OF the operas will be rendered by the
most eminent body of operate musicians in
this Countrywide entire New York SYM
phony orchestra. The repertoire for the
season has been selected with view of
representing the best schools of opera the
full strength of the organization and its
resources. and with the profound desire of
giving TO patrons of the opera those works
which they themselves will best appreciate
ana enjoy. Romeo ct Julette' is one of
Gounods inspirations. 1t is one of the
chiefest of Melba'S great roles and it af-
iords TO NJ. Bonnard the distinction of a
nrst appearance in Washington in a part
which he invests with high artistic dignity.
Tannhauser," in spite of all the contro-
versy which Wagner's genius has inspired
IN the world of music, is one of the finest
or all his operas. Its melodies proved the
wonderful gifts Of Wagner before he was
moved TO the creation of a new school
Madame Gadski easily the first of all Ger
man lyric sopranos, will make her only
appearance in Washington this season as
Elizabeth. and Andreas Dppel one of the
llnest OF heroic German tenors, his debut in
Washington in the title character. Mas
caSnIs 'Cavaleria RuSticana" and Leon
caEalloS II Pagiiacci'' are modern operas
or the most pronounced type. "CavaIleria
Rustlcana' is accepted as beyond argument
Ihe nnest evolution of its composers talent.
lis richness of harmonic effect and the ire
mendous strength of its instrumental ac-
compartment marked Mascagni the prophet
of a new school. II Pagliacci'' represents
in an even more elaborate form the ideas
of the newer Italian school. Its instru-
mental Vesture, II not of as virile weay-
ing as that Of the other, is more refined
and more subtle in it's unfolding of the
story. The voice parts contain music Of
exquisite beauty. One of these operas will
afford to Washington the pleasure of ex-
tending welcome to an American singer
whose career is a credit to her countrymen
and TO her art-Zelie de Lussan. The other
VIII AFFORD the capital opportunity of hear
Ing another American prima donna who
makes her debut in Observation-Disclosures
Chalia. In these operas also Franco Pan
dolini, the principal Italian tenor of the
organization, will make his debut in WASH
ington.
The Barber of Seville" is the brilliant
chef d'oeuvre of Rossinfs career as a COM
poser and the vehicle through which Melba
VIII convey probably the happiest evil
dences of her marvellous art. At her debut
In this opera during the last season in
Philadelphia she was a stunning surprise.
While all acknowledged the peerless quail
ity of her voice and the exquisite refine
ment of her accomplishments none were
prepared for the spontaneous outbursts of
pure comedy with which Melba endowed
the character of Rosina. An occasion of
diC ciJoy HitHl dWdllS those VINO snail VIII
ness this work.
The sale of subscription seats and boxes
for the season is progressing finely, and on
Monday next the sale Of single seats will
open at the theater. The entire house will
be reserved.
THE ROGERS BROTHERs-If the
nightly scenes of enthusiasm which
characterized the recent engagement of
the fnimitable Rogers brothers, in this
city. can be taken as a criterion then
Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger have reason
TO feel proud of the impression made
by their excellent organization, which is
presenting John j. McNally's latest and by
far his best comedy. entitled "A Reign of
Error, and on next January (Monday)
returns for weeks engagement, begin
ming with New Year matinee The piece
is Intensely funny. At first the audience
smiles, then roars, and finally goes into
cenvusions of merriment. In the past the
Rogers brothers have been looked upon as
the best delfneators of German comedy on
the stage. but at no time have they been
AFFORDED greater opportunities to display
their wonderful versatility. From the rise
of the curtain until its fall they keep the
audience in state of merriment. 1t is a
common occurrence to have the audience
demand one or two encores, but in this in
stance they are given no opportunities to
rest. In fact, If the audience could have
its way during their engageme here some