The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-04
DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.
METROPOLITAN

Sol Smith Russell received a warm well
! "ome when he appeared as John Grigsby
at the Metropolitan opera ..,,;;;se 70 st
night. The character is fitted for his
genius. This fact was recognized by him
and explained when he was called before
the curtain at the close of the second
act
Il thank you" said he, ''for the gen.
erous applause which has greeted US and
the author. 1t has been a shower of an
plause, for it has come from my friends
in the gallery as well as from the parauet.
am always glad to get to ST. PauI, and
L am glad that | ain attempting to por-
tray the character of Western man. as
am from the West myself and under
stand 1t, from my boyhood experiences
Charles Klein must have had Mr.. Rus
sell in mind when he wrote the play. John
Grigsby is a lawyer in Illinois and the
time the scene is laid is in 1850 He is a
poor mans lawyer, takes cases without
pay, whenever principle of justice is
involved, is pathetical1y poor and Is above
the suspicion of a dishonest act
Russell makes his humor Quaint. and
SO cleVerly blends it with pathos that one
scarcely knows whether to laugh or cry.
His acting last night was marked with
that ease and quietness for which he Is
noted. There is a gentleness to his hui
NOR and tenderness to his pathos
methods of expression must be born in
the actor
One of the delicious scenes in the NAV
which illustrates this Is at the close OF
the last act. Grgsby is in love with
Margaret Ronalds, a young woman he
has befriended. He has been I'D all night
working in her interest. A cup of coffee
Is being served to him in his office, and
she is seated a the desk by his side
ha xxitI,
coffee in one hand, take my" and he
stretches out his hand, which is imme-
diately grasped.
My son." he exclaims as he raises the
coffee to his lips, come and kiss your
new mother"
Mr.. Russell was we'll supported by his
company. Miss Florence Rockwell play
ed the part OF Margaret Ronalds with
due spirit, though at times she allowed
her voice to fall so low that 1T was al
most undistinSuishable. James Lackeys
rad hard role to portray in the charac-
ter OF James Ogden. He did 1t naturally.
however. and made very acceptab BILE vii
lain. Alfred Hudson and Miss Fanny Adj
olson Fit also deserve communication for
their excellent acting.
John Grigsby"w will be kept on the stage
for two nights and a Wednesday matinee.
Sol Smith Russell will be followed by
Modjeska.
In view of the very few occasions that
tragedy occupies the boards of the local
stage and the still fewer opportunities OF
seeing 1t presented on anything like a
dignifled scale, it is not surprising to note
the great interest shown In the engage
ntent of Mime. Modjeska at the Metro
politan this week. There has been a large
sale of seats for all performances, the
preference naturally leaning toward
Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. :"
which has not been seen here In many
years, If at all. In Shakespeare's Cleo
patra are embodied the most sens1ous
passionate and alluring traits of feminin-
1ty, and yet. as was intended, Modjeska
makes her, in spite of her fatal attri-
butes. lovable woman, an adorable per-
sonality. Everything for the play Is car
ried complete, which is said to be the
case with Mary Stuart" and Macbeth. >.
which she is also to present.
The greatest band in all italy is tho
Banda Rosa. This is the Organization
which achieved such wonderful artistic
success in this country last season IFS
magnificent record made then has caused
enterprising marasers throughout the
country to arrange for second tour this
winter. Next Sunday Maestro Sorrentino
and his great artists, assisted by brilliant
Vocal1Sts, Will give two concerts at tho
Metropolitan.
GRAND
That funny farce comedy, .'AIcFadden' q
Row OF RATS, will be the coming at
traction at the Grand opera house II
comes direct from it's scenes of triumnb
and with its many sights and novelties
said to be true to life in Greater New,
York. will prove an entertaining attrac-
ton.
Through the BreakerS,' The new melo.
drama, by Owen Davis. at the G.rona