The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-11

served seat capacity of the newly rem
ovated play house.
THE seat sale is now exceeding ex-
pectations." said Frank Foster of the
Pipe Organ association.
For few days on account of the
change from the Auditorium to the
Grand, and some confusion incident
thereto, the sale was was too stagnant
TO be satisfactory, but people have
begun to realize that the city has
more than doubled since the days
when the Grand was considered a
large house. AT this the house filed
viii make a very small house for the
great expense involved in putting on
grand opera for a single performance.
"A management that presents grand
opera by travelling company with a
prima- donna In the cast, must get
$1,000 out of single performance
before they is any profit. When we
contracted for Miss Nielsen, it was
with the idea of having her sing in
the Auditorium, and no thought was
entertained that we could secure a
genuine grand opera performance
with stage settings, costumes and the
necessary orchestra. When we found
that her company was prepared to
give Don Pasquale' complete, we first
arranged to have it in the Auditorium,
but when a measurement of the stage
was made it was found impractical BILE
TO give it there and satisfactory ar
engagements were ludQG LOE us trans
ference to the Grand. Here the opera
can be given with all the accessories
Of costumes, scenery and stage set
ungS and viii be one of the most com
pletes beautiful and artistic musical
entertainments travelling. A large
number of tickets We're sold for the
Auditorium before the change was
made These persons who hold these
tickets should take them to Stansfelds
and have them changed for tickets TO
the Grand. A reservation has been
made for this purpose which will be
held until 4 o'clock Tuesday after
noon"
The scene is in Rome. Don Pasquale
as in a. rage with ErnestO, his nephew,
because he win not marry to suit him.
DR.. Malatesta, his friend and physician,
contTives "a plot in Ernesto's interest. lie
visits the Don and urges him to marry
q lady, pretending that she is his sister,
though in reality she is Norma, with
whom ErnestO is in love. He then Calls
upon Norma and lets her into the secret.
She is to consent 70 the marriage con
tract and then so to harass the Don
that he viii not only be glad to get rid
Of her but also viii consent to her mar
Eiage with Ernesto.
The second act is in Don Pas1uale-s
house. ErnestO is beWailing his fate.
The Don enters, ready for the marriage.
Norma appears with Malatesta and is
reluctant to sign the contract, but when
the notary comes she consents. No
sooner, however, has she signed it than
she drops her assumed mOdesty. ErnestO
is bewi1dered at the development Of af-
fairs but is kept silent by a sign from
che doctor. Norma repulses all the
DOn's amatory demonstrations and de-
cfares Ernesto shall be her escort. She
LAYS out a scheme Of housekeeping so
extravagant that the Don declares ne
cannot and VIII rot pay the bills. Her
negotiations with Inillincrs ana dress
makers aopal him.
Ia the third act, Norma has prepared
for the theater and Don Pasquale Tor-
bids her going. This leads to a quarrel
and Norma boxes his ears and goes out.
dropping a letter. the reading of which
adds pangs of jealousy to the D0n's
other troubles. The doctor drops in at
this 5uncture and condoles with the Don,
but he insists that Norma. shall quiz
his house at once. The 1octor counsels
him to let his nephew marry Norma.
The Don then discovers that the doctor 3
sister and Norma are the same and that
the marriage was a sham and he is so
glad TO be free from her that he viii not
quarrel with his friend and blesses the
union of ErnestO and his sweetheart.
Miss Nielsen is under the management
az Messrs. Shubert and the perform
onces are directed by Mr.. Russell The
latter Is one Of the most successful Voice
teachers in Europe and is iTnDresario Of
eHe New waldorf theater, London. where
40. Nielsen and Nine. Calve sang and
FSure acted last summer. Miss Nielsen
fag many opportunities for the display
81 her voice IN Don Pasquale,' and
fNere are several beautiful duets and
tenor and soprano, among them a lovely
aerenade in the last act. The baritone
aod the basso buho also have many
chances. as the comic incidents alter
nate with the sentimental ones and tbs
aat1an IS g. raDid IRE.