Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-10
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Last week was one OF no especial moment /
IN Omaha, Electrically. the only thing out |
OF the ordinary being the appearance OF
Nine. sembrich and her supporting company /
for one night at Boyds. Nine. sembrich's |
place in the musical armament is h1ed and
large number OF Omaha people took ad- /
vantage Of the opportunity 70 gaze on this /
star OF nrst magnitude. In one respect
sembrich IL unique She believes in giving
her hearers the best she can and for ;hat
reason only sings three times each week
She spent two whole days in Omaha one
In absolute silence and seclusion. prior 10
her appearance. in order that she might
have full use Of her magnificent voice. un-
impaired by the slightest fatigue. II is this
tdelity 70 a high artistic ideal and con
scientious appreciation Of what IL due the
public that has made Nine sembrich the
popular and successful favorite she is. Her
interest in affairs Of others was clearly
shown on Wednesday night when she sat
In box and gave vigorous expression to
her enjoyment of the West minstrel
program Her applause most gen
erously bestowed on the vocalists. the
clear sweet contra-teuor OF Dick Jose, com
Ing in for its full share.
Vests Ministries gave a matinee perform
snce TO a handful Of people, and then en-
tcrtained a good crowd at night. Earlier In
the week Browns In Town" made fun for
lot Of people At the vaudeville houses
good cards we're presented to only fair
business.
Billy Vests name has been before the
public for more than a score Of years in the
front rank Of minstrel shows yet Mr. West
Is far from being an old man. He is first
remembered in the west IN connection with
the famous company that crossed the con-
iinent away back in the '7os. Milt Barlow,
George Wilson. George Primrose and VIII
liam H. West formed a quartet whose names
will be coupled together during history as
having what was probably the greatest
black face" troupe that ever faced an au-
dience. II was too strong to hold together.
though and two OF the names-Barlov and
Wilson-are only memories now. while
Primrose and West are still warm rivals
for public favor and prestige on the min
s'rel stage. The white face" idea now in
vogue among minstrel men is Billy Vests
own. and he has developed IT as well as the
elaboration Of stage setting and the refine
ment OF bis program until he has an enter
tainment that is not only thoroughly UP
TO date as TO features, but is in a class by
Itself as TO quality. Something new" is
his motto During the course OF a little
talk in bis dressing room Wednesday after
noon he said. speaking OF the absence OF
former popular member OF his company:
he is a clever and refined comedian and a
good fellow, but the people want novelty.
] am glad he is doing well in vaudeville"
One II ember OF the West company never
changes. II would not be Vests min
strels IL the name of Richard James Jose
were left off the list. That voice which
has sung 80 many ballads into popularity
and which has furnished year after year
the basis for the amateur whisters ef-
forts. from his one visit to the next, Is
as welcome in its annual recurrence as
the coming OF the seasons in theirs. One
would hardly think from Mr.. Jose's
present appearance that be ever went hun
CRY. or that he is blacksmith by trade.
Such are facts. however. He was born
in Cornwall England, his parents being
poor. An uncle who had a blacksmith
shop In one OF the little forgotten mining
camps In Nevada sent for the boy when he
was young and raised him up to he a
smiter OF iron. Before Jose had reached
manhood. his uncle died. and he was left
alone In as desolate a deserted village as
white people ever starved out OF. He
finally made his way to San Francisco. and
there his wonderful voice attracted atten-
tion. His first appearance in public was
at a church concert. and from that time
on his hands knew not the handle OF the
forehammer nor did the bellows blow
again for him except those OF the organ.
His success was made, but with success
came - change in the man who had sut-
fered hardships as q boy. He is as modest
he Is biz, and genial as could
ask him. II is dif1cult 20 get him 70 talk
OF himself. although he will chat freely
with an acquaintance on current topics or
matters connected with his business.
Nine. Modjeska writes from the south to
deny a rumor which has been given cor
siderable publicity by the press OF this
country. TO the effect that she is 10 retire
permanently from the stage after the close
OF this season. In part she says; Al
though this Is my farewell tour Of the
south, ! shall continue on the stage for
another season al least and possibly longer.
filing engagements in the north and east.
You know II is pretty hard after one has
devoted their life to the stage 10 leave II
and Il Is doubtful II | ever shall as long
as ] live and retain my strength and
ability, There Is no good reason Just now
why / should retire, for ] am In splendid
health and drawing large audiences wher-
ever | appear. King John has been most
favorably received and the public seems TO
like my impersonation OF Constance. My
managers have supplied me with a good
supporting company ana are doing every
thing possible for my comfort. | shall not
come TO Omaha this season, but hope next
year to again renew acquaintance with my
FRI