The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-04-07
Random Observations.
4 Session oi Grand Opera-Mary
Garden, the inc6mparable--
Warm Welcome to Celebrate
Singer-City Of Many Charms.
1BY FRANK NJ. DALI.AM, SRI

| Portland has had season of grand
| opera, real simon pure grand opera
with the grand properly spelled with
a capital G. Not the ordinary opera
company of so or 100 people willing
| to project itself upon any town with
| sufficient number of inhabitants to
1ntitle it being designated as "a city,
out the Chicago Grand Opera COM
pany, the largest and most famous
organization of the kind in the world,
With drawing card more famous,
more world renowned, than the COM
,any itself in the person of the in
comparable and inimitable artist, and
most gracious and popular lady of the
'paratic stage, Mary Garden.
iew cities in the west can hold out
financial inducements sufficient to Sc
sure company of this magnitude, for
opera like everything else supplied
for use. consumption or entertainment
is operated upon the strength of re-
turns from the box office, the sordid
commercial side that cannot be divOrc-
ed from the divine melody that Is the
stock in trade Of those blessed with
golden vocal cords. And it reflects
great credit upon the musicloving
and wealth possessing people of Port
land that a sufficiently attractive con-
sideratiOn was held out to secure this
celebrated aggregation of stars in the
operate Permanent, musical and
dramatic treat that no other city in
the northwest has been able to enjoy.
1t is understood that syndicate of
well to do citizens guaranteed the
company something like $4,000 for
five performances, and from the fact
that the immense auditorium, with an
arranged seating capacity of 5000
was sold out for every performance,
and in some instances with about ev-
cry foot of standing room occupied, it
is safe to say that the guarantOrs will
not be compelled to cough up in order
to make good the sum for which they
stood responsible.
The size Of this company can be bet
ter understood when it is stated that
it required three special trains to
transport the personnel, baggage and
scenery, the membership being COM
posed of 81 people, of whom 45 are
stars of the first magnitude, or most
of the As revolve around stars of such
magnitude that they about come with
in that class by reflection. The or
chestra numbered rs musicians, and
tb l,l TN oh hal
let, fill-ins and managers and direct
ors of the various departments that an
organization of such enormous size
must have to function properly. And
to meet the cost there must be some
thing more substantial in the way of
out of nickel slot machine.
Patrons of the Chicago Grand Opera
were not confined wholly to residents
of Portland, for as evidenced of the
appreciation of the citizens OF Oregon
and Washington for the enterprise OF
Portlandsrs in securing this marvel
Gus attraction, it may be stated that
reservation sales in advance through
the mails were enormous and orders
were received even from remote cities
and towns in the eastern part of both
states. And it was no moving picture
rates that investors in tickets were
called upon to disgorge. The prices
were $40, $3.50, $3.50, $4.4O, $3.50 and
$2.2O. but those who invested in the
more moderately priced seats had to
carry powerful binoculars in order to
see the stage and listen in by wireless
to catch the notes.
The repertoire was made up OF what
are designated as heavy operas and
included "Monna Wanna "Lohen-
grim" Romeo and Juliet" 'Thais"
and Aida" in the order given. Which
one OF the five is considered the best
performance in the matter OF music
and dramatic force we are not suffi-
ciently versed in this royal line of en-
ertainment to chance an opinion
Tastes. in music, like in everything
else that appeals to the senses, diff
fers and each of the performances had
its loyal followers. However, as a
irawing card no one of the operas
lad an advantage over another. Chi
| cago Grand Opera is something that
| esidents of the extreme west rarely
nave an opportunity to enjoy, and the
name OF the opera cut little figure in
| lrousing interest in the performance,
| ior every night and at the matinee the
| Auditorium was packed and many
who had put off trying to obtain seats
lntil the eleventh hour had to satisfy
themselves by watching the more
provident stream through the portals
| If the big show house.
The reception rendered Mary Gar
| den. general director of the Chicago
| Grand Opera Company andsa diva who
las few equals and no superiors as
an interpreter OF the great master
! com mposers, was an event in the his
tory of Portland that will stand out
prominently as an occasion witsl which
events of a similar nature that may
take place in future years will be COM
pared. Few celebrities, male or female
nave ever received a more hearty or
/ spontaneous welcome within the con-
fines of any city in the west than was
extended TO Miss Garden upon her
arrival here. A large crowd had gath