The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-03
l1 Far forthIa7d
Tid-Dits Of News fer ~seaAdlAa-
= n vi9R0.
OLE L IDEAL.

" OLE BULLS IDEAL.
It was to Create . National Stage I'm
Norway.
Norway has much to be grateful to
Ole Bull for, and by no means the least
Of his services to his native land was
ais self-sacrifcing and determined eff
for to establish a national stage in
Norway. 1t had long been one of his
most cherished ideals, and on his re-
urn from his first concert tour in
America, he went to work with his
characteristic energy and enthusiasm.
His brother, Edward Bull, approved
The plan, and when it was broached to
the public, in a fest given In his honor
n Bergen, in June, 1S49. it met with
The most cordial reception. This was
enough for Mr.. Bull and his admirers.
Bergen's theater was leased for tEa
coming season, and all who desired to
participate were requested to present
themselves to Bull in person and ex-
hibit their talents. The response was
generous, and the great musician was
soon over his ears in work in attempt
ing to sift out the gold from the dross.
It was a %perplexing, and, at times, a
most trying task, for every apprentice
Or domestic who could recite a few Sc
lections or sing a song, built dreams OF
becoming great actors or favOrite prl-
ma donnas. Still the work progressed
10 fast that on Nov. p, 1919, a dress re-
hearsal was held in the presence of
about 400 invited guests. 1t was sue
sessful beyond all expectations, and on
Ian. 2, 1850, Norway's first national
stage was joyfully launched, with a
company including such talented peo-
pie as Johannes Brun. Peter Nielsen,
Miss Louise G%ulbrandsen and lesser
lights. Ole Bull was the prime mover
in all, but was specially in charge of
the orchestra and the music. The per-
Torrance consisted of a prologue writ
ten by Erick Bolstad and recited by
Miss Gulbrandsen, who, later, became
the wife Of the famous Johannes Brun.
The play was Holberg's Den Vaegel-
sindede." and the performance was de-
scribed as wonderful. The historic
evening closed with the rendition of
Bulls new composition, the we'll known
tone painting, the visit to the Saeter
;Saeterbesoeget.'
It was the intention to open with
Wergelands "Fjeldstuen,' but Bull
had not found time to compose h mu-
sic, and this play was not given until
Jan. ID Of the same year.
There were many amusing features
In the history of the first stage. The
peasants from Hardange who were Sc
cured for the national dances, could not
master the inclined floor, Il often fell
with resounding thumps on the hard
floor. Then Mr.. Bull had trouble with
the police over passes, and during the
winter was often fined for unlawful to-
bacco smoking. On the whole. b
short season was fairly successful with
4 promising future. Bull assumed all
the obligations. and left the young the
alter in charge OF a committee or ten
men. for it was impossible for him to
remain in Bergen.
Jensen remained us instructor and
Edward Bull assumed charge OF u
music and the orchestra. An effo to
secure financial aid from the storthing
failed. but the work was continued
with the old enthusiasm.
Henrik Ibsen Joined the company III
the fall Of 1851. as the playwright.
The next five years was the theater's
golden age. Several of Ibsen's earlier
dramas were produced for the first
time in this period, and the incompara-
ble Johannes Brun and his almost
equally capable wife gave the people OF
BERGEN their best efforts. But, IN n
course Of events, the metropolis
claimed the pair, and they joined the
Christiania theater in 1857, and We're
followed shortly after by lbsen, who
was secured as instructor by the Nor
wegian theater.
The outlook was hardly promising
for that season, but Bull returned
from America again that fall. and his
genius kept the movement alive, as
his purse liquidated. the pressing debts.
t. There was q row between Bull and
tine management, which secured q. hall
for a rival theater, but the determined
stand taken by Miss Soffe Parelins, a
most gifted actress, who remained with
Bull. kept the company almost intact,
and finally. Bjornstjerne Bjornson took
charge. Bjornson's two years con-
uection with the company as instruct
or and virtual manager was not profit
able. as lie uluUc cuCAulSo W S"nAS Va
his acts, notably, by giving q mas9uer-
ade at the ,theater. He left In 1859 to
become editor of a Christania daily.
-Four years later, on May. II, Norway's
first national theater gave its last per-
Torrance and went into bankruptcy.
Ole Bull came to the rescue again.
but this was in 1876, after q lapse OF
thirteen years. With the aid of the
dramatic society of Bergen he was
again able to re-establisa the NorWe-
gian stage in that city.
Falkebladet Of Christiania, in Its H.
sue Of Jan. 81, 1900, contains an inter
esting story Of the successes and vicls-
STUDIES Of this theater, with portraits
Of the members Of the first stock COM
of 1850, and the revival OF
1S76-77.
DANISH PROTEST.
strong Opposition springtnE Tn to
the sale Of the West Indies.
Unexpected opposition at Copenha-
MA .-NL ~.