Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-10

i ton through the columns pre-
sided over by the commentators.
A few, very few, have pre-
- tended to regret the withdrawal
OF the opera. and one or two raise their
Hands In protest at the 'prudery" of the
public. Generally, the chorus of approval
Of the action OF the directors OF the Metro
politan opera house in suppressing what
was undeniably an abomination IL un-
broken. w. ]. Henderson, the musical
critic at whose feet the American public
sits, In retrospect denounces the opera I'M
spartngly. Two souls with but a nasty
thought. two pens that drool as one," is
the way he couples Strauss and Wilde, and
the verdict will stand undisputed. II is
not at all likely that the opera will be
revived, as il threatened, in an expurgated
form for consumption in the smaller cities
of the United States when the Metropolitan
Opera company goes on tour. II would be
impossible to expunge the great central
theme OF the opera and leave It sweet and
free from objection. One feels comfortable
In the belief that the promise-or. was It
threat?-made by Mr.. strine while In
Omaha during the week that ''salome''
would be sung at the Auditorium in April
is not intended to be fulfilled. La Boheme"
will be welcomed. and almost anything
else. but not ''salome"
-
Omaha folks who take their pleasure at
the theater have been quite fortunate
lately. and the future holds much OF tempt
ing promise. Florence Roberts came with
play that. while it lacked strength and
finish as whole, had some high points
and afforded her a fine chance for good
work. all OF which was furnished In a
liberal supply. And then came MIR. Hackett
with hts ttfTho VVaiia o4 Tar hA a..
play of its kind. and Miss Bingham TO
finish the week with her new comedy OF
English life. This makes a very enjoyable
combination and one that was thoroughly
appreciated by those who took the trouble
70 go to the Boyd
Coming Events.
AS a drama and spectacle, Klaw & Err
hangers imposing production Of General
Lew Wallace's The Prince OF India"
which is the great attraction at Boyd's
opera house February IL week, is beyond
conception. Not since the visit OF BEN
Hur'' has such colossal production been
placed on our local stage. Special matinees
win be given during the week on Wednes-
day and Saturday. Chief among the many
spectacular effects Of The Prince OF India
may be mentioned the storm at sea, the re-
ception OF the Emperor Constantine at
White Castle by Princess Irene and her
maidens the council chamber in the i'm
perial palace, the interior OF the cathedral
OF saneta Sophia and the battle scene when
the walls OF constantinople fall before the
cannon Of Sultan Mahommed. The latter
Is perhaps the most realistic hand-to-hand
encounter ever depicted IN drama The
stage 10 covered with lighting men In armor
and the clash Of arms is spirited Failing
xralla ana the cannon SmoEa ada ~ the
illusion. In the prologue the Wanderer
tells the story OF his sin and his sentence.
He hopes for the blessed relief OF death,
when all men shall have come TO subscribe
60 one creed and TO recognize the Jehovah
OF the Hebrews Allah Of the Moslems and
the God OF the Christians one supreme
being. He breaches the fatherhood OF God
and the brotherhood OF man. His audiences
with Constantine is turned into a riot when
his plea for universal religion having been
spurned. he prophesles the destruction Of
the Eastern EFnpire.
Brother onicers." a drama IN which. az
suggested by the title. the military at
mosphere prevails. has been chosen for the
bill at the Burwood during the coming
week. The action OF the play calls into
commission Miss Pitt. Mr.. Morrison and
Mr.. Hartford. as well as all the other
members Of the company 1t Affords some
very striking contrasts In personality, and
with les hunor as developed by the situa.
tionz. makes a most attractive combination
Mr.. Hartford Il making much Of a name
for himself by the effective way In which
he stages the plays at this theater, and
he promises that this win be no exception
60 the rule. II win be offered with ell the
detail essential 70 its proper enactment