The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-28
Performance Makes Profound
Impression on Every One
SCENERY WAS BEAUTIFUL
Excellent Cast, Finely Trained Chorus
and Splendid Orchestra Combined
TO Make ParsfaI Our Great
est Musical Event,
BY ANNIE IKE lpRlcK WALKER.

The audience at Parsifal was wond er-
full study in what may be called the
psychology of decorum. No audience could
have been more sympathetic and GER
tainly there could not have existed
greater harmony between the two ele-
ments in a theatre-sometimes so hope
lessly separated. That wide chasm be-
tween the stage and the audience was
completely oblterated. and what in grand
opera is sometimes bridge of signs was
instantly effaced through the sincere ac-
cord of the audience which was expressed
as perfectly as the orchestra gave out
Wagner's themes.
The jefferson was thronged by o'clock.
and when the opening strains of the
orchestra were heard the silence in the
audience was dramatic in its intensity.
Late corners were not permitted to enter,
and those already in their seats were not
disturbed by casual arrivals The au-
dience was brilliant socially, and inter-
esting in every way, although the dark
oned theatre prevented the usual scrutiny
of gowns. 1t was not until the intermis-
sion that one could see who was really
the chapel and watching Parsifal it was
rather a shock to see someone with whom
you played bridge the morning before. 1t
seemed incongruous to speak in anything
but a whisper and the whole atmosphere
was so unreal that you felt that you
were wandering about In another world,
and that the lights and people about you
would disappear any moment. 1t was
strange thing to put on your coat and
go out in the daylight again, to leave the
wonderful story and the people who were
telling it, to turn your back on all the
marvellous scene of color.
But at last it was ended. The aisles
were filing again. Women drew on their
coats silently. Men looked about them as
If new world was opened to them. And
outside the cabmen were calling their
numbers plain commonplace things. the
look of the streets even unchanged.
And back in the shadowy theatre, the
most thrilling drama upon which the
lights had just gone out
Among the many prominent people who
were seen in the audience were Mr. and
Mrs. Henry B. Gray Mrs Gray was
theatre, wearing an elegant gown OF lilac
with exquisite laces and Jewels Her
theatre hat was in white with handsome
plumes. With the Grays were Mr.. Culpep-
per Exum and Miss Lestra Kinney. the
latter in a light theatre gown, her hat
trimmed in pink roses.
Mrs. John Miner Caldwell wearing
grey and pink, and Miss Moody in white,
with a scarlet hat were In the audience
Mrs. Rufus N. Rhodes and Mrs. Mortimer
Williams, Mrs Thomas d. Parke, Mrs
John r. Tillman, Mrs. A. r. London,
Mrs. George Cruikshank, Mrs. Samuel
VIII John. Mrs. A. IL, Sharpe Mrs. Will
liam Mudd Jordan. Mrs. Pascal Shook
looking very charming In white, were
seen in the parquet. Mrs w. S. Lowell
Mrs. Preston Means, Mrs. Scion Jacobs,
Mrs. II. H. Aldrich, Mr.. and Mrs S. e.
Thompson, Mrs. N. s. Feagin Miss
Feagin, Mrs. Robert Munger Mrs. FAC
Smith, Mrs. Evans J. Dunn, Mrs. Joseph
Il. Johnston. Mrs. CAVITY johnson, Miss
Shelly Mrs. Il. M. Tutwiler Dr. and Mrs
Hardee Johnston Mrs. C. s. simmons
Mrs. Monteath, Mrs. c. II. Nabb Miss
Nabb, Miss Lille Drennen. Mr. and Mrs
James Bowron, Mr.. and Mrs. Chalifoux
Mrs Davis, Mrs. Jack Johnson. Mrs
Dugas of Augusta, Miss Bessie Sutherlin
Miss Eloise Jackson and Miss Lena Jack
son were among those occupying orches-
ira seats.
Mr.. William A. Porter gave a theatre
party to Miss Pelzer of Montgomery,
among the young women In the party be-
ing the Misses Pelzer, Miss Dunn, Miss
Kate Smith.
The boxes were unoccupied, but the en-
tire parquet and the balcony presented a
most interesting appearance, and so many
well known people were in the audience