The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-23
A SURVIVAL OF OLD ROME.
The Theatre at Orange i'm Southern Franco
and Its Interesting Performances.

The classical performances given in the
antique theatre at Orange this summer
marked the twenty-third year that these
festivals have been held The plays were
both versions OF antique tragedies made
by contemporaneous French writer's 10
meet the conditions Of their production
One was "GGiipus and the Sphinx by
Sar Peladan, and "The Phpnicians' OF
Euripides, adapted by George Rivolet'
In addition to these works, there were
Corneille's Horace" bits of Gluck's operas
and some folk stories of Provence. Emma
Calv4. Eugene Segord- Weber, Paul Mounet,
Mounet-Sully and Maria Gay were among
the principal performers.
This theatre at Orange is one Of the
most interesting architectural relics in
France 1t dates from the second century
The colony founded in Arausio Secondhand
rum by Cesar built a triumphal arch, which
lis one Of the best preserved relics OF Roman
times in the world; hippodrome which is
almost destroyed, and the theatre, which
is Incompatible. The dimensions OF the
great amphitheatre bear so little relation
to the size of the little town as to make
1t certain that these buildings were put up
not to accommodate the inhabitants OF the
new colony 30 much as to impress on them
the greatness OF Rome. The theatre. al
though showing some traces Of Greek
influence. Is in almost purely Roman style.
1t Ia not probable that many Of the Latin
tragedians ever appeared in this theatre
during the brilliant days Of the Greek
tragedy. The plays given there were
coarse farces Of folk life, much beloved by
the Romans; pantomimes, performances
of acrobats and jugglers and exhibitions OF
wild and trained animals, which at the time
of the invasion of the barbarians, swarmed
through the Rhons Valley.
AS soon AZ the theatre had been restored
it was decided to give dramatic perform
ances there again. In 1850 the first per-
formances were given under. the direction
of Lies Felbres," an association Of Pro-
venCal poets. The acoustics of tie theatre
adapt it only to performances Of certain
character. In 1874 Norma" lie Chalet
and 'Galathee' were sung with such little
success that the enthusiasts in charge Of
the productions were discouraged
Then for twelve years there were no
further attempts to revive these perform
ances. Finally in 1888 "The Emperor of
Elias, tragedy by the Provencal poet
Alexis Moulin, was acted along with the
rather inappropriate lies Precieuses
Ridioues" Of Moliere. In 1888 "E 1ipe
Roi" was produced at Orange with Mounet-
Suly in the title role, with such triumph
that the attention of the world was first
called to this curious theatre and its at
tractive performances.
Although President Loubet, at that time
President of the Senate. did everything
possible to facilitate these performances
IL was necessary three years ago to found
the Society of the Friends OF the Theatre
at Orange The first performance given
in 1890, was the ~Alcestis" of Euripides in
a version made by George Revollet and
Racine's "Athalie.' Since then, successful
summer performances have been given
every year, engaging the services Of the
most noted actors and singers of France
and drawing large audiences. They draw
to them many Americans, who take this
opportunity OF seeing the ruins under such
attractive conditions. The audience at the
last performance this season numbered
s 200 persons.