Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-04

Mr.. Sothern's eXped!ents for graphic vivid
ness are so very numerous, so considerably
original. and generally so eficacious, that
his work deserves to be accepted in its en-
tirety by Shakespearean scholars as well
as by people who are impressed more read
lily by its graphic activity.
Coming Events.
Tomorrow evening we are to witness the
first local presentation Of "Ben Hur," which
Messrs. Klaw & Erlanger will present at
the Boyd theater all this week, with matt
nees Wednesday and Saturday. The GUS
tonary Sunday performance is omitted. The
sale X seats for the entire eight perform
ances is said to be unusually large, but still
this theater is a large one and many de-
sirable seats remain for each performance.
The curtain rises at s o'clock promptly, and
no one will be seated during the action of
tho prelude. This is to avoid marring the
eneCt. There is no overture, but a dark
ened theater, and after a few bars of music,
the curtain rises on the prelude, revealing
the wise men following the Star of Beth
lehem across the desert on camels. There
is no spoken word, but the story is told
with dramatic effect in p~sntomime, accom-
panied by appropriate music. Tableau fol-
lows tableau in quick succession throughout
the piece, giving all the chief incidents Of
the story, with which everyone is familiar.
TIL musical setting for this play was COM
posed by Edgar Stillman Kelley, professor
Of music in Yale college. 1t is both or
chestral and choral; for the latter, passages
were selected from the prophecies Of Isaiah
concerning the coming of the Messiah,
where Christ is referred to as the light
to tighten the darkness of the people,
The music Of the first act consists chiefly
OF illusions to the themes in the prelude,
which are associated with the prophecy, the
beauties of Jerusalem, and the promise of
the delight of the world, according to the
demands OF the dialogue. The music in the
second act has a movement which suggests
the rowing OF the galley slaves, the swash
OF the sea and the moaning OF the wind
through the unseen cordage. In the third
act the music is more elaborate. In the
composition for the scenes, Mr.. Kelley has
made a special study of the ancient music
Of Greece. He has also introduced certain
harmonic progressions which have for some
centuries been prohibited by European
theorists, but which the latest investigators
OF ancient Greek music have proved to their
satisfaction were undoubtedly used by the
Greeks. In the music in the first tableau
in the fourth act. the dover Of Sheik Ilde,
rim, the old Arabian scale is employed, and
the wild lift of the Arab is suggested. The
NNAN OBNb9 VIZ u SuKe
costing the power and dignity of Rome.
Then follows music suggesting the speeding
or the horses in the chariot race and the
downfall of Messiah, and revenge, ending
with a triumphant march for the visitor.
In the sixth act the music is very impress
sive. The theme from the prelude, "The
CITY or Jerusalem" is heard as the curtain
rises, and the themes are introduced at
appropriate times. The particular theme IA
This is Jesus of Nazareth" In the scene
In the Vale Of Hunnom, there is a move
ment suggesting the misery of the lepers.
broken when Amrah speaks Of the coming
OF the Messiah, when is heard the grand
theme of the chorus, "Hozannah," intro
duced by the orchestra.
The bill that opens a week with a mat
lnee at the Orpheum today is diversified.
ana besides presenting some favorites who
are already established, includes several
bidders from whom something new NAV be
anticipated. Prominent among the offer
ings is the Barrcws Lancaster companv
who made a very good impression here
last season in Tactics" They have a
new sketch this season entitled "A jolly
%Jollier'" by Edmund Day, who has been
very successful in writing for vaudeville.
Hlll and Silviany have never appeared
mere but 1t Is said they do one Of the best
stunts on bicycles in vaudeville. One
especial feat they perform is the riding
OF a unicycle down a flight of stairs by
Mr. Hill, supporting Miss Silviany on his
shoulders. Les Dumonds, known as the
Partisan street singers, besides their vocal
talents, entertain with instrumental music
Mile. Rialto's spectacular dances are en-
HANGED in beauty with elaborate color and
light effects. The Cole De Losse duo
come also with the brand OF newness. while
the topical Jester. George w. Moore. will
direct his efforts in a monologue TO laugh
provoking. The kinodrome pictures will
be entirely new. Commencing Thursday
next, and continuing each week hereafter
the widweek matinees will be given on
Thursdays instead OF Wednesdays.
THE Prince OF Pilsen" makes it's entret
into local thea.5 zeal circles at the Boyt
Tuesday and Wednesday of next week
The new piece is the latest work o.
Pixley and Luders. the authors o.
King Dodo." and Henry W. Savage
the foremost producer OF comic opera
in America today. IS its sponsor. L
is full Of pretty music and many Of tn,
, songs are already being whistled In man!
parts OF the United States. A chorus o
more than sixty stunning girls is require,
b TO make twenty changes Of costumes durinj
each performance, so everything on tn,
: stage is lively all the time. Mr.. Savage, a.
in The Sultan Of Sulu" and King Dodo'
has a competent cast. Among the princi
: pals are Dorothy Morton. Annie LIGHTER
p Jeanette Begeard. Lillian Coleman, Zelli
Z Frank. Arthur Donaldson and John Ran
some. The environment OF the new piee
1 from a scenic and costume point OF vieV
: Is sure TO prove a sensation. for IL has besl
; designed BY the leading artists Of the eoun