Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-02-28
Dramatic Comment.

When such magnificent musical Or
ganlZation as the Chicago symphony
Orchestra comes to Portland, it should
be heard by more than the half house
full of people who were in the Marquam
Theater last night. Musical people here
are wont to complain that they never
have an opportunity 10 hear anything
really good. Here is an orchestra
which is probably unequaled, at all
events is unexcelled, in the country, and
it gives a splendid programme to more
empty chairs than auditors. If the mu-
sic-lovers Of Portland want Portland to
be known as musical city, they ought
to inform themselves on what is good
and give it their patronage when oppor.
tunity ohers.-Oregoniaa, 22d inst.
That is doubtless all very true, but
it may be that the company's prices
and methods may have something to
do with their want of success. Their
proposition to play in this city was at
an advance OF five per cent. over the
sharing terms always given by Sousa,
with his peerless band and world wide
reputation. Then they insisted on a
81 rate, which is twice the price of the
best seats to hear Sousa. Then a
guaranty was asked, which the great
maestro never thought Of exacting.
1t seems to us that had the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra travelled more
on its own merits. instead of expect.
ing to be carried by the house man.
agement or some association, it would
have met with better reception.
MoDJEsKA AND JAMES IN HENRY VIII.
Here is doubtless a just criticism OF
a seemingly exalted combination OF
dramatic talent, which could not af.
ford to play the smaller cities without
a guaranty of patronage far in excess
of their merits and the peoples ability
to pay. 1t is from the Yakima Re.
public:
Our fathers and grandfathers say that
in their day Modjeska was great act
ress. 1t may be SO; but in this day the
fire of genius burns low in the lady, and
the public which pays $3.50 seat to
see it shoulder, burns money. As for
Louis James, partner of Modjeska in
what ought to be the lady's farewell
tour, nobody of this or any other gener-
alton who pretended to know, ever
called him anything but third rater.
Probably he is at his very worst as VOL.
sey in Henry VIII. In Tuesday nights
performance the only scene in which
either principal participated that was
worthy of mention was that which fol-
lows the CARDINALS fall, and that was far
below the standard. James has few
qualifications for the part of Wolsey,
ona of the ablest and SIMPLEST men of his
day, man who aspired with reason to
be Pope when the vatican was but little
past the meridian of its power. He
rants, rolls his eyes, strides about, and
his sardonic and ugly stage face bears q
perpetual machine made smirk. He
never forgets that he is an actor. VOL.
sey, though once q butchers boy, was q
man seemingly born to the purple, a
prince of courtiers, q diplomat, whose
triumphs were won by his master mind.
II he had had the face and manner that
Mr.. James wears on the stage, he never
could have been confidential advisor of
two great Kings, and he wouldn't have
worn the red hat of cardinal in thou
sand years. These do not 90 with craft
and ability such as made Wolsey great.