The times., 1899-04-09
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

At the first nightly meeting of the
Eleven O'Clock Club last Wednesday in
the parlor of a downtown beer dispensary
Frank Murray began telling stories on
members of the Frawley Company Among
others was one on Myron Calico, who, ac-
cording TO the raconteur, was bred in a
family given to unusually rigid religious
principles Among other prejudices the
actors mother held that games of cards
were most sinful and had forbidden that
a single pasteboard ever be brought into
her house. Notwithstanding-or perhaps
because of-this injunction the youth of
the family became quite an expert at such
harmless affairs as draw poker and seven
up, making practice OF playing with
other lads in a barn not far from the pa
rental residence.
For some time nothing interrupted the
progress of these social sessions and then
one day while taking a new deck to his
room Mr.. Caliee let king of hearts fall
on the floor. The father, who had never
seen a card in his life, caught sight of tha
gaily colored picture in an instant and
picked it up. A minute OF embarrassing
silence ensued and then the youth was Wis
tied by an inspiration. Bending over for
the lost article he remarked, "Oh, yes.
My laundry ticket
the noise OF something falling. Released
by mischanee. the entire deck had drop
ped out of his pocket and the fifty-two
cards were spread on the floor Mrs. Calice
was Mortified and her husband hardly less
so. Myron Calice was the most Mortified of
aiI- Each of the three gazed at the dis
play moment and then the father turned
calmly to his son. 'Myron," he said. Il
think you are extravagant with your laun-
dry. IL you will come TO the woodshed
with me | will dust your jacket so that you
VIII have fewer dirty clothes next week"
And Mr.. Calice has not played a game of
cards since-Mr. Murray declares.
Jean de Reszke. who will sing the title
role in "Lohengrin,'' the first of the per-
formances 10 be given here by the Metro
poilian Grand Opera Company is vocalist
such as, unfortunately one hears but sell
dom His full. soft, not too great voice
MS noble style of breathing. his delivery
equaliy remarkable in all languages, and
his all-surpassing intonation are sources
OF the purest pleasure 10 the auditor And
the spectator. too, comes off equally we'll
De Reszke is tall, very good looking
man, with admirable manners and a re-
fined style OF acting When one remem-
bers that until three years ago he sang all
most exclusively on French and Italian
stages in French and Italian works, it is
astounding TO find in him so remarkable
Lohengrin
Jean de Reazke was born In 1850. and as
boy sang in church. At first he was des-
tined for the law but interrupted his stud
les to devote himself TO the theatre as a
baritone. Meanwhile from all sides at
tention was called to his tenor voice, but
for long time before taking his final reso-
luton he made no use Of il. The singer
Travelled for years with his sister and
brother in Italy and SPAIN helped them
with his advice, heard all the first artists
learned from them. compared worked by
himself did not allow himself to be led
astray by the most brilliant offers TO take
prominent positions. and would have con-
tinued TO live on in this fashion had not
Massenet and Maurel in 1884 almost by
force torn him away from his contemplated
course and made him create the role of
Herodiade at the Paris Opera.
Here began Jean de Reszke's career as a
tenor. He remained five years in the
French capital. and for the last few seasons
has been singing in Russia. America. and
in London. His repertory comprises Her
odiade." Nanon," .'Werther" Les HUI
guenots." Robert lie Diable,' lie Proph-
etc." 'rAfricaine,' "Othello. Aida, -
''Ballo in Maschera," Faust" Romeo. "
Carmen" "Lohengrin, die Meisterslng-
er," ''siegfried. = "Gotterdammerung." and
Tristan
Unfortunately, talents like those of De
Reszke-who can use his resources mos,
wisely-are as rare as genius. To hear The
artist as Romeo, Faust, lie Prophete. Lo-
hengrin. and Tristan are pleasures such as
today can scarcely be experienced often.
He stands before the public singer OF the
very first rank--one who fully deserves all
| his lriur,nhs