San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

Ill THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW December 23rd, 1899 { — — iJE.\Ms /■ v.. /ssK^ £veNTs TH&T iNTenesf The PACIFIC COfr&T LOS ANGELES. Musical Correspondence Los Angki.es, Dec. 18. — The musical season of 1899-1900 has opened with unusual activity and interest. The Oratorio Society has rendered the Creation twice with MnieGenevra Johnston-Bishop as soprano soloist. The society is rehearsing the Messiah for an early date, Mine. Johnston-Bishop continuing as leading soprano. The second Symphony Concert will be given on Dec. 22, with Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on the program. Mr. Harley Hamilton, the organizer and leader of the Symphony Orchestra, has carried the organization through two successful seasons. The first concert of the third season given at the Los Angeles Theater on Dec. 1, with Mr. Hamilton conducting, and Miss Frieda Koss soloist, was a musical, social and financial triumph. The program included: Overture—Faust [Spohr]; Fifth Symphony E major, Lenore [Raff J; Aria, Achillens [Max Bruch], and Fantasie on Motifs fiom Hansel and Gretel [Huniperdinck]. The second of a series of Chamber Music Concerts was given Thursday evening at Blanchard Hall by the Krauss String Quartet to an appreciative audience. Miss J. Russell Brown, the soloist, sustained her reputation as an artistic pianist. The principal event of the week was the presentation of the romantic opera, La Fiesta de San Xavier, at the Los Angeles Theater on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Saturday matinee, under the direction of the composer, Owen Foster, of this city. The opera is a Southern California production, and carries with it the spirit of the ideal California-Mexican life. The libretto is by Miss Grace Bowers of San Diego. The catchy music of the opera is full of local flavor. There are many charming and effective bits, especially the quintette in the last of the secoud act; and the soprano solo in the beginning of the third act may be considered the gem. The principal parts were well taken by local artists. The chorus work was good; the scenic effects and the dances were excellent. As a whole, La Fiesta de San Xavier is a delightful little opera, and so far a distinct success. The child pianist, Paloma Schramm, was heard in concert at Simpson's Tabernacle Saturday afternoon for the first time since her Mexican and European tour. Fresh from her travels, little Paloma is the picture of health, although she can do away with the contrivance to aid her in reaching the pedals, she is the same sweet child who left us two years ago. There is a marvelous purity and ingenuousness in her playing which it is to be hoped will be retained as she grows older. The "wonder child" appears again at Simpson's Auditorium this evening, the 18th. S. Note — Our regular theatrical correspondence failed to reach us in time. — [Ed. the Enemy. Big House. Stanley Ross, as Col. Charles Prescott, U. S. A., held the center ol the stage most of the time, and gave a very creditable presentation of that character. Rachael McCreery was effectively filled by Louise Carter. Sam T. Shaw, as Thomas Henry Bean, the irresistable correspondent for Leslie's, and Nellie Manie Shaw, as Euphemia McCreery, furnished the comedy, and were both acceptable. H. H. Hullett, as Lieut. Gordon Payne, did some very clever work in the trial scene in the second act, and his exclamation, "lam a spy," brought merited recognition from the audience. Balance of week, Farmer Stebbens, Pink Dominoes, Brand of Cain, The Phoenix, Why Smith Left Home the underline. The Washington State Band and Orchestral Association gave its second concert at the Auditorium. The occasion was marked by the appearance of Mrs. Lee White Jones who was the Elks' queen at their carnival last October. Her first number was Solve Regina (Dana), which was rendered with splendid expression, "Where the Lindens Bloom" (Buck), The Rosary (Nevins), and "Because I Love You Dear" were also charmingly given, the latter two bringing merited encores. Mrs. Jones has a sweet, vibrant soprano, and sings with excellent method and tender feelings, coupled with a sweet personality and charming presence. She won many friends who will be glad to hear her again. Doi.ph. SACRAMENTO Special Correspondence. Sacramento, Dec. 19. — Lee, the hypnotist, opened with a very successful performance at the Clunie Opera House last night. He gave quite a number of successful tests with residents of this city. He put one of his subjects to sleep and then had him placed in a prominent show window near the Clunie, where he is to remain 48 hours or until half past ten Wednesday night, when he will be awakened by Prof. Lee in the presence of the audience. The Lee combination give performances all this week. SPOKANE Special Correspondence. Spokane, Wash., Dec. M. — Shaw Company, second week, opened with Held By TEXAS Special Correspondence. Ei, Paso, Texas, Dec. 17.— Harry Corson Clarke was the attraction last night in What Happened to Jones. Though the curtain was two hours late in rising he showed to a good house. December 18th Barney Furgeson will appear here in McCarthy's Mishaps. The company goes to California by the Atlantic & Pacific. December 19th, through the efforts of the popular managers of Myers Opera House, Sam worth and Cassidy, we will have a treat in the appearance of Louis James, Katherine Kidder and Chas. B. Hanford in the scenic production of A Winter's Tale. They go west by Southern Pacific to California, showing in Phcenix, Ariz., then in Los Angeles. J. s. M. OAKLAND Special Correspondence. Oakland, Cal., Dec. 20. — Admirers of rag-time melodies, darkey singing, dancing, and comicalities, found a surfeit of that kind of amusement in The Hottest Coon in Dixie, at the Macdonough last Friday and Saturday evenings. Robert Kelley as a coon tramp, with that tired feeling, was the best taken character and greatly amused the audience with his comic songs and speeches. The dancing was good and the costumes bright and pretty. For Christmas week at the Macdonough the following companies will appear — Dec. 2526, Greater America; 27-28, Frederick Warde presenting The Lion's Mouth and Richard III; 29-30, Murray & Mack in Fiunigau's Ball; Jan. 1-2-3. Richards & Pringle's colored minstrels. At the Dewey Theater that old time favorite, The Corner Grocery, has held the boards this week. Some new features have been introduced, the following people deserving special mention: Gracie Plaisted, as Jimmie Nolan, Alice Saunders, as Mother Nolan, Wm. B. Mack and J. T. O'Malley, as Daddy Nolan. For Xmas week Manager Holden announces a production of Ali Baba, for which a number of clever specialty people have been engaged; there will also be a ballet of twenty four young ladies, under the direction of Miss Sidney Fay. The stage is under the management of Geo. Hermance and J. T. O'Malley. M master Landers Stevens and wife (Fanny Gillette) left last week for New York, where Mr. Steveus will secure new plays and new people for 1900. Mr. Stevens will return Jan. 1st, and will make his reappearance in The English Rose. MUSICAL NOTES. Mrs. Chas. Dickman, the well known opera and concert singer, returns from Paris the first of next year, and will resume her position as solo-alto of the First Presbyterian Church Choir of this city. Mrs. Dickman is well known in San Francisco, having resided there before her departure lor Paris. The Orpheus Club gave one of its delightful concerts last evening at the Unitarian Hall, under the direction of Robert C. Newell. The soloists were E. D. Crandall and Putnam Griswold and Miss Pauline Collins. The many friends of Maude Lillian Berri (Mrs. Frank Fisher) are delighted to hear that this talented young woman contemplates a visit to her home shortly. Mrs. Fisher at present is singing in grand opera in St. Louis. Herbert B. Clark. OGDEN Special Correspondence. Ogden, Utah, Dec. 17. — Edwin Mayo in Pudd'nhead Wilson last Wednesday played to a good house at advanced prices, and put up a splendid performance. This is a wholesome, clean play, and is put on in a most artistic way. Nothing is at present billed for the coming week. The 4lack of dramatic entertainment is bringing out several companies of home tal ent, and before long we will be bestowing our bouquets to amateur stars. More money is in circulation than has been for years, at this close of a very' prosperous year, and it is causing the management of our Opera House much worry that they are not going to get much Holiday money. Yours very truly, R. M. B. CARSON Special Correspondence. Carson, Nevada, Dec. 18. — The Jessie Shirley Company concluded their week's engagement here Saturday night. They are a very good company and I think the best popular price one on the Coast. Miss Shirley did not do the business anticipated as the weather during that week was very rough, snowing or raining every night. Gorton's Minstrels which were booked here have canceled, and the only booking known of at the present time is Richards and Pringle's Minstrels, January 15th. The Nevada State Band from Carson leave for San Jose tonight. They will have about thirty pieces. Ross B. Mkder. SALT LAKE CITY Special Correspondence Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 18— In Old Kentucky did an immense business at the Salt Lake Theater, Dec. 11-12. Edwin Mayo in Pudd'n Head Wilson drew three fair houses, 14-16. University Dramatic Club presents The Weaker Sex at the theater, Dec. 21st. A Stranger in New York, which filled the first three nights of the past week at the Grand, played to three of the largest audiences that have ever been in that theater. A Stranger is one of the best attractions Manager Mulvey has ever given to patrons of his house, and the company could easily have filled an entire week. Paul F. Nicholson. Jr., late of the Alice Nielsen Opera Company, appeared in the leading role, winning great favor with his audiences. Yon Yonson opened a three nights' engagement this evening. John K. Hardy. TACOMA Special Correspondence. Tacoma, Wash., Dec. 18. — Next Monday evening, Dec. 25, Eugenie Blair, supported by a strong company, will be seen at the Tacoma Theater in A Lady of Quality. The Flints have made such a hit as genuine fun makers at the Lyceum Theater the past week that they have been induced to play here one more week, commencing Monday, Dec. 18th. W. M. HoyT. SAN LUIS OBISPO Special Correspondence San Luis Obispo, Dec. 18. — The very successful concert manager of San Francisco, Herbert Atherton Kidder, will play at the Stanford University Glee and Mandoli