The sun., 1917-05-11
JOFFREAPPEARS
IN OPERA HOUSE
MarShal'S Presence in Doubt
Until Governor Takes
Him From Reception.
PADEREWSkI PLAYS on
French Hero Makes Entrance
in Midst of Pianist's
Performance.
PADEREWSKI PLAYS on

1gnace Padcrewsk was playing a
Chopin polonaise on the stage OF the
Metropolitan Opera House Mt 10 ;55
o'clock last night when into the Opera
House came Marshal Joffre. NJ. Pade-
rewski doubtless played the polonaise TO
the bitter end--at least his eyes were
on the keys and his fingers were bang.
ing the keyboard-but q distinguished
audience that jammed the great build
ing from footlights to roof set up a
cheer which drowned out even the
mighty chords Of the Polish master so
completely that TO all intent NJ. Pade-
rewski's gyrations on the stage might
have been movie effort
And the cheer rose even louder as the
pianist ceased playing some moments
later, a cheer all the heertier beca use
the audience, which had contributed about
500, 900 to the combined box Office and
contribution lists OF the evening. did not
know until Marshal Joffre had entered
the Opera House whether or not he
would be present.
"A tribute to Marechal Joffre from the
citizens OF New York." was the way the
rcd, white and blue programme prefsced
the entertainment OF music and tableaux
at the Metropolitan, but as the affair
was arranged under the auspices OF Gov.
Whitman and others not actively asso-
ciated with Mayor Mitchel's committee
II looked until late in tho night as II
the Metropolitan Opera House function
would 30 seriously conflict with the uu-
niclpai entertainment arrangements that
Marshal JofYre would not be able to at
tend the exercises at the Metropolitan.
Marshal Almost Got Away.
As it was. Marshal Jofrre was about to
be escorted from the reception at the
Public Library directly to the Frick
house land so to bed" but at the
eleventh hour and fifty-ninth min
ute Gov. Whitman led the French
soldier down the library steps
and into Limousine and rushed him
through Fortieth street to the Opera
House before even the secret service men
had grasped that there had been tre-
ments.
The Governors committee did not.
however, succeed In leading NJ. Niv!ani
TO the Metropolitan. NJ. Vivian! went
home from the library. The Governor.
NJ viviani and Charles +. Hughes were
all down on the programme to speak at
the Opera House. but the various bitches
which caused rumors and counter rumors
and uncertainties during the afternoon
and evening and then halted the Opera
House programme so long that the mu-
steal numbers did not get under way at
all until almost 1880 o'clock. resulted
In the omission Of all speeches except a
short address in French delivered by
the Marshal of France.
There were stories that Washington
did not approve OF the Whitman tribute
to tho visiting French commission, that
the Mayors reception committee did not
look kindly on the State efforts at en-
tertaining tho visitors. that the distin.
guished Frenchnen themselves did not
approve Of being featured at an en-
tertainment at which an admission fee
was charged. But regardless OF all the
stories flying around. the fact remains
that Gov Whitman did bring Marshal
Joffre into the Opera House, that the
great audience received him uproari-
ously, that the programme was magnih-
cent and that the receipts will go far
toward helping the Marshafs two pet
war charities-the Belgian destitute and
the war orphans of France.
The cheapest seat downstairs was Sc5
the boxes were sold at $1,000 each and
even the highest gallery gods had to pay
50 for a far look at all the splendor
Nevertheless, two hours or more before
the overture had been begun employees
of the opera house were droning steadily
to the rapidly gathering crowds: mo
moro seats: no moro standing room for
sale"
First Day Netted $4,000.
II had been the hope OF the women's
committee Of New York State. actively
in charge of the affair. to raise $4,000
on the first day the box office was
opened, which was Wednesday. Those
In charge OF affairs said last night tina,
S59, 900 had been taken In the flrst day
and that the total box Office receipts
when the seat sale was stopped early
last night was more than $4,000"
Also II was stated further that so many
had added a bonus when paying FOR
their seats that the whole receipts would
top 100000.
AS originally arranged. a check fol
TO Marshal Joffre by CASTOR Liebert, the
French Consul-General, In the presence
Of the audience In the opera house las,
night. The committee announced. how
ever, that owing to tho late hour "A,
which some of the money was still com.
ing In, the formal presentation Of tho
check last night would be dispensed
with and the check instead, would be
turned over to the MARSHA! some time
to-day.
with the exception OF the scheduled
speeches by Gov. whitman. NJ Vivian
and Mr., Hughes, the long programme
was married out almost In its entirety
A French song which Pasqualc AmatC
was to have sung also was omitted. and
| Miss Maude Adams was not able to bs
on hand as Joan Of Arc during the sing,
| Ing OF the "Marseillaise." Amato came
to the opera house ready to sing. bu,
Continued OF Second Pose.