Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-24
Home Talent ON the stage.


Ono must not overlook either the
performances by local talent TIM, were
given IN the Opera House. Professor
Calvin y. lshoods was usually the
leader In such undertakings aud. being
a teacher OF music. they usually were
confined TO some OF the lighter operas
or cantatas or oratorios. He develop
cd much homo talent by his work.
and not n few Of the amateurs that
he taught turned their sorious at
tention to the stage. Keller, ,Hermanh
and similar sleight-of- hand wizards
delighted Wilmington audiences from
the Grand Opera House stage, and
there were the Bartholomew lsdu-
Gated Horses that appeared here, al
ways packed the house at every per
| Iformance, and brought 10 their own
CT such large box office returns that
he was enabled 60 lift the bans placed
upon his stable by New Jersey
sheriff. For the rescue. the owner
was uuceaaing in his gratitude 60
Manager Baylis and from that point.
the trained cquines were never with
out oats and hay or whatever they
desired. for the money rolled into the
box after the pursuing jlnS had been
overcome here.
The Grand Opera House was tho
scene of the annual assemblies. when
the floor WAS laid over the orchestra
circle FOR tho accommodate OF the
dancers Formerly fairs were held In
the big auditorium, but they were dis
continued years ago. During every
important campaign the leading
speakers were heard from the Opera
lIouFe stage, where. too. 1dmiriup
Delawarenns assembled TO greet Hon
Thomas r. Bayard whom he returned
from his Ambassadorial post az Lon
don for a brief visit with his neigh.
boys and friends In his native state,
The Grand Opera House has, in.
deed, been the stage fer almost every
sort Of public activity from grand
opera 60 the trained horses. or from
the subtle Interpretation of Hamlet {,
the violent and seni-profane attacks
lof stump speaker or the politica
outs" who sought 10 be "ins'
Whcn ono conIures up the dramati
mental pictures OF tho past he will dis
cover but few Of tho great players @
the half century who have not ap
penred here, and who have not voice,
their admiration Of It's sDlendi
! acoustice. IN which it had few equals
Mr.. Baylis Manager - Years.
For some time after tho opening 0
the house IT'S management was yeste
r IN a board uf directors, and tho rent
, ais were made by John +. Almond.
! member Of that body. lie. however
found that the work was such as re
quired different training than hi,
and Jesse *. Baylis was called to ia
management in 1S74-a position n
filled until 1890, when the compan
, leased the house. ard Il became a IN
I IN the chain Of theatres directed by
). big producer. Later he was lessee {
70 the house from 1895 to 1906.
- II was during Mr.. Baylis' q year
4 incumbency that the house establish
. ed Itself IN the dramatic field u wa
/ under his management that almost q
the stars carie TO Wilmington. A
! autographed Photographic collection
y stu treasured by this first Wilminr
o ton manager. bcspeaks his popularii
q with the lovers Of tho dramatic PR
h. fession, and the wide and intimate y,
= quaiutance he enjoyed among the re-
- stars Of tho dramatic art
a Mr.. Baylis was known TO The pr,
e fession IN all parts of the country AZ
+. was regarded with the warmest fee
g ings Of friendship by them. and h
" now on the threshold of his s0th brit
k day recalls with pleasure those ma
- tgerial experiences which broug
r. Fhim into close personal contact wi
the matters and mistresses OF Il
.y stage.