Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 15, 1878, Page 12

12 THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 15 187—SIXTEEN PAGES. directly or indirectly, should become involved = e "Haverly takes the Mapleson compans to Chy THE STAGE. THE DRAMA. CHICAGO. ‘THE GROWING INCEEASE OF THEATRICAL COM- BINATIONS, and the gradual wiping out of regular stock companies, would geem to_fndicste that the drama was in a transition state; or, at least, that the relations between actors, mavagers, and the pablic were undergoing a complete change. The old stock company is already a thing of the vast in mearly all the theatres of any consequence, and in all probability there will not be one lett before the close of another year. Lester Wallack is the ooly New York manager who adberes to the ola regime,—the Union Square being virtnally a suceession of comnbinstions, not a permaveut compauy, :3nd having already.more thau one branch traveling hereand thera through the country,—and it nas been intimated that even Wallack will; by and by, have to adopt the policy of l{is nelghbors, and sail, with ibe stream. Here in Chicago McvVicker, who has stood slone for some time, does not hesitate to avow his inten- tion of doing the'same. So that our next the- atrical scason will witness in all likelihood an exceedingly lovely competition between the three leading houses. Whether the demise of the time-honored sys- tem s tc be deplored or not is a matter which ouly experience ¢an show. A large clazs of theatre-going people doubtless regard the com- bination system as an improvement b the old one, for the reason that it brings before us fresh faces as well as fresh plays week after week. We like changes, and in these days wlen almost all our best dramas are rep- resentations of contemporancous lifs, it is impossibie for our favorite actors to avoid focurring the reproach so frequently urged agaiust them that théy are monotvoous. **He always looks the same in every part™ is sure to be remarked of the Jeading-man after his image has been familiarized to the aodience. The majonty of amusement-seekers, ther, will pre- fér the combination to the permanent stock. On the other hand, the question preseats itself, Will it bave a benedcial v,endeuty' in clp- vating the standard of dramatic arti Will itin the long run produce a class of actors such as those who have been recognized as exponents of the higher order of legitimate drama? Weare inclined to think that in this respect the tend- ency isnot to cultivate the higher aims in ourris- infr youngactors, but more 2nd more to encourage them to be satisfied With a temporary populari- ty. No one can attain true excellence in any cading withous progressiof. - A painter could pot, should he be continually doing the same pictare over and over ‘aguin; nor could the singer or the violinist if be was kept playing the szme piece all the time. And fo with the actor, who repesis the same part in ove town after another Guring o season. He grows care- Jess, sud it has been found that the constant movins about from place to’ place hasade- moralizive influence upon bim. He will play a part with the utmost care in Chicago, and will slur it over in Oshkosh or Kankakee, because he Teels he doesn’t beloner there. Aguin, it leads intothedestructive business of ‘picking up poor companics. Mrs. Bowers, for cxample, aceepts a play and starts on the road with it. But it would not pay her to encase the best talent to make a circnit from Califor- uia to the South, East and West. ‘L'ne result is, the public finds all the parts but oneindifferent- 1y rendered. Out of tnis combination business, too, has sprung a kind of speculation in theatrical com- odities which may in the end have a demoral- izing cflect: The conduct of theatrical enter- prises is graduslly passinz ont of the hauds of the managers into the hauds of mere speculators,—some one calls them pamn- blers without a stake,—who are ever ready to outbid each otaeruntii terms are offered which preciudes the possibility of making a profit to the legitimate manager, A class of middlemen has come to the froot of late In New York who are cerainly no credit to the profession, yet they are gradually coming to gain a potent con- trol over the managers throughout the couutry. Thev seek out the prominent stars and offer fo transact their business, make out routes, ete., without remuneration. The star puts himself in their bands. The Western ‘manager desires 1o enzare him becaus¢ he ranks hizh, bas played with him heretofore, and wants him agafe. The star says he ds in the hauds of rambler. Manazer goes to ambler, who exacts highier termns thau etar ever had, and, in addition, demands that manazer will fuarantee that the receipts will reach a certain amouyt during the cogazement. Manager re- fuses, but & riva) steps in—perhaps an irrespon- sible one, & gambler without a stake—and savs he will guarantee.it. Theengzagement is plaved, and from sundry reasons the engagement proves unsuccessful. “The gambling manarer can’t make zood the loss, because the artist has failea todraw ft. The sambling ageut had nothing— was a mere decoy duck to obtain the terms— and the star has not got as much as he would with the honest manaeer. * These are a few of the possible consequences that may arise out of the present radical change in the system of manarement. Of course, if 1he public gets as 2 rule weak and slovenly per- formances, they will have reason to deplore this o Dew_geparture. If otherwise, the managers will have to scramble along with it as pest they may, and rood luck to the winner. LOCAL NOTES. 31iss Jennie Hicht hos been sceured by J. R. Coulter, progrictor and manazer of the Opera- Touse at Aurors, for Christmas. She will play Constazrce in * Won at Last,” acharacter in which ehe has won emphatic approval wherever she tas played it. The Thalian Dramatic Club will enact *The Grasshopper ™ at the West End Opera-House on Wednesday- and Thbursday evenings. Miss ice Goodrich takes the part of La Cigac. c 15 to have a complimentury benefit on . Toursday evening. Miss Mina G. Slayton, assisted by Miss Jo Ewissbehn, will give an entertainment on Tues- day . cveping at Unlon Park Congrezational Chiurch, Miss Slayton is a bumorous and dramatic reader, and Miss Swisshelm is an ae- comnlished pianist.. The Presbrterian Church at Enslewood gave a festival aud entertainment Thursday evesing at Tillotson Hall, oke of the principal festures of which was au Aribian tent made of mats and rugs;bronght from Arahia by Mr. Nathar Ford, 8 former missionary to that zountry. A pew dramu, i 2 prolozue and three acts, entitled “Dead Men’s Shoes,” will be produced at MeVicker's Theatre to-morrow eyening. It is a dramatization by Mr. C. W. Barry from Miss Braddon's nevel. Mr. Barry appears in the principal part, supported by the conpauy. The arrangements for the resding tourpa- ment, whic: takes place Dec. 23 at Tillotson Hall, Enzlewood, have ali been completed. The yeaders have made their selections, and ure dnliing themselves. Musicwill be furnished by Prof. Ledochowsia and Prof. Singer aud pupils. Bliss Whitaker, the popular Treasurer of Hooley’s Theatre, takes his annual benefit on T y afternson, when his numerous friends will be sure to rally. A very atcractive pro- xramme Is announced, a spcaial feature of which Will be the appearance of AMiss Emily Gavin. There will also be a number of variety and othier attractions. The attractions at the Academy of Music tor the present week inciuGe the Tollowinx new speciaities: D, L. Morris, Schooleraft and Coes, Wood*and West, Healey, Conway, and Ella Saunders, Goss and_Fox, the Mendells, Cam- ings and Hines, and otherattractions. Charles L. Davis and Emma Vern will appear 1 a new comeds called * Alvin Jostin, BufTalo Bill reappears this week st Haverly's Theatre tn two of his Western plays, one of which will b2 _given 10 morrow evening, it is exlled ¥ The Knight of the Plaivs, or Buifalo Bill’s Best Trail.” The other is Maj. Burt’s sensational play. “May Codv.” Amons the incicental attractions are, a campiug scene on be plains, ritle and archery practice, and fancy shots by Mr. Cody. A weels of minstrelsyis offered at B’oolc{‘s Theatre his week, with the popalar billy Emersor at the bead of the company. It comi- prises 2 number of verformers whose pames are mostly all familiar 10 the public. “The pro- grupme is divided joto - turee distinctive features: “Our Operatic Corps ('Ethiope: “Qur Musicale Body Symphonious ”; and *Our Ouninigenous Specialty Representatives.? The pastitwo weeks have afforded to the pa- trons of Hsyerly’s Theatre a dramatic lre:l:.piu the perforinance of “ Mother and Son * such as wecould only bave anticipated from a strong and Dcrlecfle’-balnnccd dramatic_orzanization like that of the Union Square. That Chicawo has warmly sporeciated both the play sud the company is shown by the uniformly arre andj cnces. that iwve attended each eveninz. It vould be difficult to name any single artist among the lending people who mer with more distinct evidences of approval than the other, be applause was of a piece with the acting,—it ‘Was discriminatingand. evenlydistributed. among the artists. 1n short, they bave had a sincere welcome in Chicago, and they descrve to have the like wherever they appear. NEW YORK. C. EANDOLEN GARDINER'S LATEST. Special Correspondence of The Tribunc. New Yorg, Dee. 12.—The average man ac- cumulates wisdom with age. Charles Randolon Gardiner gathers check, but no knowledge. He was out the other morning in a card to the Meraid on tue Copyright-law question.. If he were wise lie would keep out of the newepapers all be could. He began by stating that he “represented ” twelve of the sixteen reguiar theatres outside New York, and knew ail about tke plaps of three out of the other four mana- gers. The one whose plans he does not know about is resumably Mr. McVicker. Therefore, Mr. McVicker is to be carnestly congratulated. But Gardiner is mistalken. He does not repre- seut the Walnut Strect or the Chestnat Street Theatres, Pbiladelphis, the Catifornia, in San Fruncisco, the Varleties, in New Orleans, Me- Vicker's, in Chicago, the Olsmpic, in St. Louis, nor several othersI could name right here. The main pumber of managers he represents need somebody to do the representing pretiy badly. ff they didn’t they would have selected somebody else to do it. Mr. Gardiner's card to the Herg’d was merely a little dodze by which the writer intended to advertise himself. And, as he's rather hungry for advertising, ‘why, he ought to be gratified. : HIS ADVENT INTO NEW TORK. Charles Randolph Gardiner came to New York as the manazer of Mrs. John Drew’s Arch Street Theatre, Phitzdelphia. What Mrs. Drew waoted ot & manager in New York mobody knew, at that vime. But it is now clear that she didn’t want bim in ber theatre, aud seot him here to get rid of him. The reasou e s retained at all as “ manager” of the theatre concerns another person in the Arch Street house. {n connection with his manazement here, (iardiuer opcued a aramatic awency, and has cut out a good deal of the pusiness of the Iegitimate omes. His ar- Tangements are these: The manager of a com- bination comes to Gardiner, and author- izes him to fill a certain cumber of weeks for his company, For this Gardiner charges the mabager of the combina- tion ‘mothing. ~ But - he looks over his Looks, and pichs out the theatres of certain towns throughout the country. From the man- agers of each of those theatres he gets $5 for every compuny he sends. ‘They pay this sum in order that he mnay use intluence in their be- half. - Now, when be sends a company to Hay- erly’s, Tor fustance, he rets but §5 for the week they are there. But when the same company Dlay one-night towns under his control, he gets S5aday. That is where he makes his money,— and as be has a good many combirations, and keeps them playing onc-nfght towns as much of tg_e time as possible, you sce he has a rood thing. THE OTHER AGENTS get a certain percentage from the earnings of the stars wuc compauies they work for, and re- cive nothing from ball-owners. The stars and companies thought this season that they'd go to Gardiner £o as to save expense. But they're all very sick of him, g0 I understand, aniare beginning to steer back to other chaonels. A while ago avery spide compauy .started from New York, and one of the hall-owners on Gardiner’s books wrote to the “Dead-Room saint_asking about the said company. Charles Raudolph reolied by saying the company was no ood on carth. Alterwards the same doubtful attraction came into his hands, aud he set about filing its time. _Among others, he wrote to this same hall-owner, saying the combination was one of the best that ever Ieft New York! He had forgotten the other letter. The man re- spooded by calling his attention to the glaring inaccuracy of his statements, and Charles had the grall to tell him i return that the first let- ter had been writtea by his derk, who kuew nothing about it. How was tnat? Iso’t he “justassweet as he can be”? He'll o to heaven when he dies,—if the doorkeeper isn’t looking. Alost of THE BLANCHE MEDA COMPANY . have returned. The manager has departed for some sequestered spot where actors claiming six weeks® saleries cannot find him. Thus far his travels have been successful, and the best detective skill has failed to find him. His nume, as I have remarked before, is Rideout. Some of the members of the company think of petitioning the Legislature to change it to Skip~ out. He is gone, but not forgotten. Miss Meda berself is stooping with friends in Provi- dence, R. L Paagett, Atken, Couldock, Arnott, and several ot the others, are in New York. Miss_Meda was pretty lavishly swindled alt round. Among other stupendous charges was the price Steele Mackaye charged her for his Dlay. She paid bim $3,000 in cash in the first Dlace. Since she has been playing the drama #he bas paid in addition a royalty of from $25 to the size of t0 340 a night for it, according the towns she showed in. How’s that for royaltv? Who wouldn’t be a playwright, if he could hit a Blanche Meda occasionally ¢ TOE LATE UNPLEASANINESS AT WALLACK'S over the production of “My Son” was more cxtensive than anybody supposed av first. Mr. Coghlan declined to play the part of the fore- mauv in the old man’s shoe-foundry, on the cround that it was not the leading feature of the comedy. They tried to force him into compliance, whereupon he resigned his position as leading man of the company. ter was dehast, and so was everybody else. They uever heard of such astoundivg impudence. It had always been customary for anybody who played ar Wallack’s to defer to the wishes of the management, without regard to what those wishes mizht be. But it wonlen't do to fose Mr. Cogbian, and so_the thing was patched up, Mr. Barron playing the part. The consequence was that Mr. Barrou made a hit, and now Coghlan is mad because he didn’t accept what the zods (aided by Lester Wallack) provided. “My Sou® will keep the boards a few weeks longer, © when it will prabably be repluced by the new play which Mackaye is at work on. If, however, that should not be done in time, why Bartley Campbell will bave o show. Camobell has been ~ keeping shady of late, and the people around Union Squarc are still won- deriug what he’s up to. I think there was s sort of sneaking idea that e was 2oing 1o take outa dramaticcompany. Consequent upon this thought, everybody fled when they saw him coming. But they were mistaken. UARTLEY UAD WIITTEN A NEW PLAY, and was * laying for” Wallack with it. Finally be caueht his man, read the manuscript, was received in the embrace_of the proprictor, und thercby made bappy. Yesterday morning the coutract was sizned” which adds Bartley Campe bell to the stallac Wailack’s Theatre. ~ So, you see. American writers are heginuing to have a soow. With Mrs, Henderson’s piece st the Standard, Mir. Howards at the Union Square, * Uncle Dan’l at the Broadway, Len Grover's at the Grand-Opera House, and Bartley Camp- belP’s at Wallaek’s,~I don’ sce but native talent is Jooming up. Mrs. Iion Boucicault has arrived in New York. Her intention tn visiting Ameries is to play throuzhout the courtry some of the char- acters whica made her famous some . years ago, At first sight it looks a little queer that the wife of 2 man who sports an expensive yacht and grives big champasne dinuers to his friends should be obliged to work for a living. But rumor savs that ail is not joy in the Boncleault camp. The old maw is said to have tired of the partuer of his joys and sorrows. Like & good many men, he forgets her scrvices to bim in Years past. He doesn’t remember that but for her the * Colleen Bawn ' and 3 lot ot his other piays would scarcely have succeeded. [t was ber acting of the parts he made which first caused bim to Lecome famous as a dramatist. He is said to have forgotten ail this, and there- fore she is oblived to Teturn to the stage. She il play iu the differentities *Jeannie Dean,” the *Octoroon,” *Jessie Brown,” and one or two new plays. “BEN" MACAULEY. % £ have been wondering why all the New York gritics insist on calling’ Inm “Ben ” Macauley. e announces himsels modestly as simply * B, Macauley,”—but they must call himn Ben. [ believe ** Barpey ™ is correct. Auyhow, it's the natiie b which all bis friends know him. Well, e has inade a tremendous nit ac the Broadiay, The boys are just wild over Liim,—~and soare the girls, The curtun is often called up three or four times after un act, and irequently the star has 1o come before the footiichts and bow ac- knowledements twice in the course of the even- fog. The compauyare well reccived in the maln. Miss Kuty Wilson would have made a zood impression in New York if sne hadu’t tried to sing. When she did that, the audience Feot back ou her. She is a clever little sou- brette, Lut, like Artetnus Ward, she’s saddest when she siues; and so are those who hear her. And spearing ‘of Mawuley's company, what a lot of old stagers be has collected, to be surc. Old Biliy Scallon, I, E. Mchen, Mary Myers,—why, thev've all been op the stawe cver siuce I can remember. 1 see by Tue T2InyNz. that Mr. Yearauce came all the way from Chicago to play fn this plece. Iie did not make abit.” He'was the worse in the bill. Mr. Ben® Macauley would have gane wisely aud 1ot too well to have left Mr. Yearance in Chicaro. & R Reed has made a first-rate impression as Aeppler. The play will run the full length of its term, I have no doabt. . in' MOBSON AND GRANE are still packing the Park Theatre to its utmost, With the “*-Comedy of Errors.” The verform- ance guins {n smoothness at ever§ representa- . called t Next week,closes the enzazement of Robsonand tion, and it is now almost imopossible to tell whether Robeon §s Crane, or Crane is Robson. “The entertuivment is now lencthened every night by prefixing the comedy with a farce “One Touch of Nature.”” C. W. Coul- docle is especially engazed to play the leading purt, and does it with bis old-time vizor. Mr. Couldeck is an actor of the old school, and ought to be more widely aporeciated than he s, Crane. Ithas been the largest plaved at the Park for & good many seasons, and the twa comedians will be welcomed back here in the spring by manager and public alike. AT BOOTU'S, Georee Parkes is playing Dundreary in that re- markally fresh play, Our Ameriean Cousin.” Mr. Parkes is rather clever fo this line of char- acters, and a morning puper cruelly remarks that be Iittle knows how slizht an exageeration this performance is of his 1ormer attempts at serions acting. Anyhow, be is drawing zood louses, and will stay another week. Frank Hardenbergh has made a hit as dse Trenchard, aud Sidney Smith, Laura Don, and Rose Lisle are favorably recefved in their different charac~ ters. At the close of the present engagemens at_Booth's, Steson’s ** Evangeline ” company will play o fortnizht. Still later, the German trazedian, Hermanu Linde, will plav there. Kate Claxton at the Lyceum, Booth at the Fifth £venue, ““ Almost a “Life 7 at the Standard, and the * Banker’s Daughter * at the Union Square, still attract large audiences. The prin- cipal event of nexc week will be Jeffersou at the Fifth Avenue. IrnurieL. GENERAL GOSSIP. GREEN-ROOM NOTES. Paris has forty-cizht theatres, which give em- ployment to 1,777 actors and 1,102 actresses. James O’Neill bas been dabbliug in stocks on the Slope. There was a tumble one day, aud he lost $11,000. The Cluny Theatre hos revived “Le Juif Polonais,” better known to London play-goers under its English title of * Tne Bells.” Shakspeare must have had a liking for the medical profession, as Sureeon Fa!stagf was one of his best characters.—Cincinnati Saturday Night. : A Shaksperean student remarked of a person sitting at the end of a row of seats in the Opera- House last evening, 11 swell tbat end swell.”—Cantor. (0.) Repository. Dan Rice’s Excelsior, the white circus horse 80 dear to our boyhood, has “climbed the gold- en stairs.” He used to go uo a flizht of wooden ones backwards in the ring.—New Haven Jegis- ter. Mr. William Warrcn, of Boston, Lids been ong the stage forty-six years, and lis [riends arc praying for four years more of him so they cun getup a celebration that will outshine that of John Gilbert. Miss Geraldine Maye is described as a young lady *‘with brizht evcballs aud a cheek of cream” by a New York critic, who adds that she presents a character with such perfect pro- priety and engaging simplicity as to invest it with state aud importance. The Wallack Dramatic Club, of Cincinnati, had an election of oflicers last week, aud re- elected the following for the cnsulng year: President, Luke Huat; Vice-President™ and Stage-Manager, Oscar Barnes: Treasurer, W. G. Lodwick; Secretary, Bob Marsh. The Iady who in her excitemcnt threw her opera-2lass at Mrs. Huntley (i.a Frochard) a few evenings back, during the performauce of “ The ‘Two Orphuns,” can have it returned to her on applyiug for and describing the same at the box- office of the Olympic Theatre.—London Times advertisement. In the Greenroom—** Public, sir. Public! Talk to me about your Public! No more appreciation tha & Jot of cabbages. \Why, dumme, sir, 1 played Hamlet on the Southiern Circuit for twenty consecutive nights, and what do you thinlk the publicdid” * Hissed?” * Yes, sir, just that. Hissed Shakspeare, by Jove!®—Enuglish Exchange. During a recent performaunce of ¢ Romeo and Juliet " fn Buffalo, where Modjeska in the potion scette was about taking the poison, some ruffian eave an imitation of pulling a cork, which so annoyed the Countess that she ordered the cur- taio rung down aud left the stage until the of- fender was ejected, when she played the scene amid great applause from the crowded audi- torium. They do say that Tom Taylor, the editor of the London Punch, wus on board a yacht in the Mediterranean when, a beavy squall arising, the Captain ordered all his passengers to throw, over their heaviest luomaze. Taylor hoisted over- board allhis copy for the next number of the Lon- don Charivari, and in five minutes theboat drew Imlf a foot less water, and rode safely into port inside of an hour. In vparting with his Liverpool audience. Mr. Sothern, in response to an unusually demonstru- tive call, sald: ‘I have not, as report had it, got paralysis, softening of the kidneys, spine, or liver. The plainfact was—andis—that for twenty- six years I had overworked my brain and body— no more. Still, that’s enough to reflect upon. Intwo wecks 1 retire from public life for at least six mouths, and wander through Italy, the Holy Land, ete. Of course 1 shall do Afreca, China, Japan, and America, just to keep me up in ordinary geography.” Clara Morris writes to the Dramatic News that her husband oniy loves her when sbe plays to * big houses ” and “ paying business.’” We don't know that Clara could make Mr. Harriot love ner any more, but she could make a much better man of him, if she would hire Christine XNilsson to Kick him once or twice a week higher than she ever raised a piauo-stool. When a man assumes the position of an only nusband, de- pendent upon his wife for support, the immortal gods beein to look around for something to smash him with.~Burlington. Hawkeye. Billy Arlington has azam entered the lecture field. - A Detroit paper says: “Tirinz at Jast of blackening up and kicking,the tambourine, he naturally cast about for some other avocation which would epable him to cat three meals a day and retain the diamond pin without which life is to the minstrel a bleak and barren ex- istence. There were several things he could do. IHe could introduce a new kind of stove-polish, canvass for Stanley’s ¢ Through the Dark Con- tinent,’ tend bar, drive an express wagon, start an evening naper, or cnter the lecture field. He chose the latter course.” An incident is related about Heller's Jast trick, which, although it would ordivarily be in- siguiticant, becomes, under the circumstunces, rather saddening. It was the trick of the broken plate, which, with a wateh and_some cards, was jammed into a blunderbuss and fired. The plate made whole acain, with the watch und cards suspended from it, should bave ap- peared in a frame at the back of the stage. The trick was at the end of part first, - after Heller had shown sigus of weakness. It failed, and the blunderbuss kicked agafnst Heller’s' arm. ““That paralysis is coming on me again,” he said. He retired behind the curtain. After Years of brilliant successes, his last effort to Pleas, like his first, ended disastrously. Visitors to the Standard Theatre one Saturday night were disappointed to find that, although MMiss Alice Harrison’s name appeared on the programme, that charming little dramatic cock- tail failed to present herself on the boards. A rumor that she was scriously indisposed ut the Palace Hotel was generally accepted us an ex- planation. Tie cold facts of the case, however, 2re thes While the clever young actress was descending from her room in the elevator, on ber way 10 the theatre taat evening, the man who runs this macaine thoughtlessl. stepped off for a second at one of the landiugs without completely stopping its movement. T'he result was that it continued to descend, with Miss H. a5 the sole occupant. It is supposed that she beeame alarmed, and endeavored to stop the machinery in some way. At all events, it be- came motionless between two of the floors, and still remains there stationary as we 2o to press. —d&8an Francisco News-Lelter. ‘When Forrest was once upon a time about to appear in o prairie town for the first time, one of the members ot the company that was to support. him made great capital out of his rer- sonal acquaintance with the ereat actor, failing not to inform everybody who would listen to Zim that behad once, in Keokuk, or Kalamazoo, or Kokomo,~ask me not which,—played Jago - Mr. Forrest’s Otnello. When the great tragedian arrived, the ** boys” gathered to wit- mess, =s they felicitously expressed it, the meeting ** between Jimmy and the old man.” “How "do you do, Mr. Forrest!” said the whilom Jago, swelling with a pardonable vride. ‘The famous Othello did not even bestow a Blance unon his questioner. ¢ But, Mr. Forrest, I— perbaps Thad better explain—that is—in Rala- mazoo—( plaved Jago to your Uthello.” The great actor wheeled about and transfised him with his lightning glance. *Good God, sir, can Iever foreet it3” Poor Jimmy was never after- ward - heard to boast of his scquaintance, pro- fessionally or otherwise, with Mr. Forres:. A Paris letter to the Baltimore Gazefte says: ““I wish that some of the critics who raise a rout about the dresses of Mme. Modjeska and Miss Ward would journey across the water to see how such things are done in artistic Pars, the bome var excellence of the bighest form of decorative art. They would find Croizette at the Theatre Francais, “playing iu *Le Sphinx? In a sealskin dress fhut cost $3,000. And what would they say to the gowns of the accomplished Mlle. Bartet in *Montjoye? Her first dress in partic- ular would throw them_into convalsions. It fs composed of a real and very fine lndian shawl (one of those that have no plain centre, but are all border; the most cxpensive stsle, by the way). cut into a polonaise and worn over a long underskirt of peacock-green satin. The sleeves and the front of the polonaise are trimmed with peacock-green velvet, exactly matching the skirt in shade, Her second dress is of white wa- tered silk, with slecves and paniers of white foulard, trimmed with Valencicnnes lace, A scar! drapery of white foulard is drawn around the lower partof the skirt, and is knotted in front in very graceful fashion.” < ‘‘THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER.” The question of dramatic copyrights in this country has been somewhat comically jllustrat- ed by the controversy now golugz onin New York over the authorship of the play of “The Banker’s Daughter.” This was firsi produced in Chicawo fn 1873, under the title of *Lillian’s Last Love,” at Hooley’s Theatre, and was then very favorably received. Subsequently it was produced, with still greater success, at Me- Vicker’s Theatre, in a much improved shape, under the simple title of “Lillian.” Mr. Bron- £on Howard, the author, has now produced it at the Union Square Theatre under its prescat ti- te of *“The Banker's Daughter.” In each of its three phases or transformations it appears to have. sustained cousiderable improvement, but it is conceded that fu its second form—that under whichit was produced at Me- Vicker's—it was a more symmetrical and evenly balanced performance than in eitber the first or last shupe that it has assumed. Mr. Cazsuran’s partin it seems to have been to strenzthen what bad been an insinjficant part (that of Strebelow) tor the benefit” of Mr. Charles R. Tnorne, whereas the strong character has pre- viously been that of Litlian. Now comes on the scene Mr. Roge, who claims that the whole afluir, from first to last, is a plagiarisin of o manuscript play submitted by bim to the man- agers of the Union Sgunre Theatre, under ihe title of “The Golden Calf.” Mr. Roge threatens Messrs. Shook & Palmer with Jezal procecdings to obtain an. injunction against_their further performance of “‘fne Banker’s Daugnter.” s well as damages for the violation of his copyrizht. This brings on_the scene Mr. Palmer, who informs a New York intervicwer that Mr. Rose’s production was Orouzht to him in 1%76. - three years after the first production of * Liltian '; and who snys the claim of Mr. Roge reminds him of the remark of Augustin Daly. *“that the elder dramatists had stolen their best works from modern authors.” The imbrozlio has led to the discovery of the still more interesting fact to young aspirants to fame as dramatic guthors, that Mr. Cazauran has had submitted to bim plays from Texas, Cali- fornia, the Territory of Wyomiug, and irom the editorial sunctums aad reportorial rooms of the mugazines and the daily press; and that the mournfully increasing collection of rejected plays at the Union Squarc Theatre now num- %\:fi sowne 727 covies, exclusive of *The Golden alf. MUSIC. AT HOME. TUE PAST WEEK. The week which has just'closed, while it has not presented us many concerts®s its immediate oredecessor, has been none the less a remarka- ble one. It opened with a concert given at the First Methodist Church for tne benefit of the Halmemaun Hospital, which was well attended snd pleasantly successful. - Mrs. Huck, who so rarely appears in public, but is always welcome; Messrs. Creswold, Rosenbecker, und Dexter, the Quaker City Quartette, and the St. Ceeilia Ladies® Quartette took part in a very interesting programme. ‘The concert was conceived and carriell out under the ausplees of the ladies of the St. Cecilia Quartette (Miss Whitney, Miss Hogyne, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Kempton), and was a graceful tribute to 2 deserving charity. Thelr own participation in the progrumme was per- haps its most notable feature. Indecd, it bas come to be anotable feature whenever they appear. It is rare that four such good voices, so well trained, are heard tozether, and it is pleasaut to know that their reputation has ex- tended already beyond local limits, although the organization is only in1its first season. There 15 every reason to believe that the Quartette will make for itself a wide reputation ana oceu- Py a very prominent position at home and a de- served favoritism abroad. Upon the same evening, snother of those pleasant entertainments, known as the Hershey Popular Concerts, was given to sn audicnce that more than tested the capacity of the Hershey Ifall. The principal featuresof the vrozramme were the sccond appearance of Miss Leila Graves, the young pianist, who cmn- phasized the favorable impression which she made at her recent debut, and the performance of anew Trio for violin, ’cello, and piano, writ- ten by Mr. F. G. Gleason. The work was very cordially received, sud the composer was con- gratulated upon his success by those most com- vetent to aporeciatethe character of his work. 1t is our intention upou a closer acquaintance with the work to give it a caretul rcview. At pres- ent it is only in order to recognize the fact that we have in our midst a musician of suflieient in-~ telligence and scholarsbip to enter the highest tield of musical composition. The Wilhelmj concert was, of course, the reat event of the week. We have already re- corded our tmpressions of the playing of this areat artist, and there is no need now to repeat them. His second concert will be given on Mon- day evening. In times past great musicians like Pareoa Rosa and Theodore Thomas bad to fizht for a recognition here, and two such in- comparable artists as Voo Bueclow and Mme. TFssipotl went away unappreciated, except by the few, and ever since there have been hundreds of people, making pretensions to musical knowl- edge and appreciation, who wonder why they didnot go, now that they have forever lost the oprortunity. There remains but one more opportunity to hear Williclmj. A player of his great talent deserves a crowded house. At the samie time, if he does not have it, the loss is not his but the public’s, while those who attend will carty away with them a musical memory they will never willinely part with, in these days of sham und sensation. TUE EDDY ORGAN RECITAL. ‘The programme of Mr. EAdy’s organ recital yesterday noon was u superb one, and does crediv to this excellent musi in the direc- tlon of musical zaste, as well as its perform- anee did to his musterly ability as a player. It meluded Bach's “Prélude and Fugue in € mmor”; Merkel's “Pastorale * in_ G: Mendelssohns * Cornelius March 3 the Sym- vhony in C mioor, No. 1, of C. M. Widor, the orzanist of St. Sulvice, Paris, a work of larre and nobie proportions; Liszt's ** Ora pro nobis™; and Lemmen's % Offertoire ™ in A. The vocal numbers were worthy of tbe pro- gramme, Mr. Gill singine the cyclus of six songs in Beethoven’s ** An die ferne Geliebte 7’ and Lassen’s song, ** 1 send thee forth,” from the £ Five Bible Scenes,” with ’cello oblizato by Mr. chheiin. For such a programme and such a performance Mr. Eddy deserves » more cordial and extended recoznition than we have time at present to give. THL FRATT STMPHONY CONCERT. The first of Mr. vratt’s series of Symphony concerts will be ziven on Tuesday evenine at McCormick Hall, upon which oceasion—the anni- versary of Beethoven's birthday—the programme will be as follows: 8 PART Y, 1. Overture—** Coriolan cieezen with dramatic rcrlmnonsb om Si ed Mr. ney by Theodore Thomag, &. **Honor and Arms” «..Hande, Myron W. 1 3. March—Fromthe** Ruing of Athiens”, Beethoven 1 TANT 1L 4. Fifth Symphony in C minor, op. 67. . Becthoven PART 111 . Overture—**‘Oberon . - .. William Weber 6. Aria—**Deh non Voler" (Ann3a Bole- BOYCL Gianene o sssaiien ) Jiss Jessie Bardlett. 7. Reverie—** Soul Longing 8. Air Amaryllis... .. .". Lo 9. March—From *‘Leonore Symphony”.. ... THE CIICAGO ORCHESTRA SYMPHONY CONCERTS. The date for tlie opening concert of the Chi- cago Orchestra draws near, and much foterest is shown by musical peopie in the event. The concert wilt occur on the evening of the 30th inst.,, and will be a very successful one, if the many successful rebearsals arc suflicient crite- rions. The programme has already been an- nounced. It'is full of selections rarely heard here, and of unusualty large proportions. The ¢ Leonore Overture' of Beethoven is one of the finest ever written, and is popular _with all. Tne Henselt Concerto, to- be played by Mr. Liebliog, is a colossal composition, as far as technique is coucerned, and has mever been played here. Mr. Liebline has been studving this work for a lony tiine, aud has never played it iu this city. The Scoumann Symphony is considered the greatest of his instrumental com- positions, and will no doubt make a great scosa- tion. Mrs. Kemptou will sine severul arias, which will be a pleasing contrast to the work of the orchestra. The rehearsals biave been so numer- ous and the work so painstakiug that it is not out of place to anticipate a very excelient con- cert,and one which may establish the possibility of our huviny a permancnt orchestra. It is composed of the best instrumentalists here, who have played tozetner =0 long that they are only a new orchestra in name, and Mr. Rosen- becker 1s to ve credited in advauce with baving @ given his best efforts to this scheme of Sympho- By concerts. THE ATHENZUM CONSERVATORY. The Athenmum Conservatory of Music has just completed arrancements by which Mme. Carl Koclling has been secured as o teacher of the Italian method of sinzing. Mme. Koclling is one of the pupils of the famous Milanese Maestro, Lampertl. Stockhausen was the first to predict 2 future for Mme. Koelling’s voice, and, after studyior with him for some time, she was placed under Lamperti, with whom she studied, at the same time with Albani and Cam- paninl, for three years. Mme. Koclling has filled the highest position on the staze with success, singiog in opera with Wachtel and Tietjens in London. - She devoted herself to teaching the Itallan method of cinging until very recently in that city, where she was well known as u teacher of rare ability. At the opening entertainment of the Couserva- tory Mme, Koelling will sing for the first time in Chicago. Mr. Carl Koelling, Carl Rosa's teacher, an able composer, whose orchestral works are widely known, and whose composi- tlous for the piano are standard works, hus also been secured by Dr. Fuchsas an instructor in the Conservatory. MUSIC IN EVANSTON. Mr. W. S. B. Mathews’ lectures on music in Evanston last week were pronounced very interestiveg, and the attendance was very good. Miss Lydia 8. Harris' playing ex- cited preat surprisc and _ adiration, especially _the remarkably heavy pro- gramme of Thursday evenine, The programme c¢mbraced Bach's Prelude und Fugue in C sharp; Schumann’s “Etudes Symphouiques,” op. 13; Choow's Tinpromptu in A flat, op. 20; Intro- duction and Rondo in E flat, op. 16; Tausie's concert paraphrase of *The [uvitation to the Dance”; Schumann’s Romance in F sharp, 0p. Novellette in B, No. 7, op. 21; Cunopin’s Andante Spianato and Polonaise in E flat, op. 22§ Liszv’s Grand March from ‘‘‘Tannbauser.” The same programme will be given at Hizh- land Hall ou Monday evenine of this week, when Mrs. Frunk P. Blake will sing a sclection of Frunzsongs. The same lecturc and illustra- tions will begiven at Park Institute on Thursday evening. A CARD FROM MRS. SWISSHELM. o the Exlitor of The Tribunc. Cnrcaco, Dee. 18.—Lust Fri@ay evening, Prof. Mathews delivered, in Park™ Institute, an instructive lecture on music, which was illus- trated by Miss Harris, now of Evanston, whose performance was wonderful. For an hour and a half she played Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin, without notes, and without weari- ness,—~played very lmperfectly, but with a breadth of comprehension and'a facility of ma- nipulation which murk heras a phenomenon. Her teacher ruve her **The Mooulight Sonats,” which she had mot before “seen, aud in three days she played it throush without notes. Sbeis the daughter of u Presbyteran preacher of a rural district in this ‘State. where he supports a large fumily on 3600 a year. The struggzles of the daughter with poverty are heroic as ansthing in romance; bul she must fail to develop her rare gift unless shie gets belp. Let us hope that this Llinois girl will not have o o to Ohio to find a patron. She bus not yet reached the decp-sea soundings of techuique, a0d 40 lies 8 hand strugggle before her; but she is voung and strong.—hasindowituble courage and phenowmenal ability. Wil Chicazo have the bonor of muking her a star in the galuxy of na- tive enius? JANE GREY SWISSHEML. SUCCESS OF ANOTIIER CHICAGO SINGER. The many friends of Mr. L. A. Phelps who watched nis progress here while a pupil of the Musical Colleze with ivterest will be glad to heur rood news from him abroad. Ou the 4th of November, he sppeared at Savigliano, in Southern [taly, in the uitle role of *‘ Faust’ witn decided suceess, The 11 Saviglianese ““fhe Atmerican, L. A. Pheips (Felsini), of C cago, is ut the begiuning of his carcer.. The splendid night of bis debut predicts a brilliant future. ‘The quality and purity of his voite in his presentation of the role of Faust wiil certainly coutribute to create for him a most brilifunt carcer. We tender him our best wishes.” We understand it s Mr. Phelos’ in- tention to go to London, wiere he hus an open offer from Carl Rosa, and that in a year or two he may be exoected bome. LOCAL MISCELLANT. A musical reception will be given Thursday evening by the pupils of Proi. . Fletcher, of Englewood. ‘The statement made by some papers of this city that Mrs. Thurston is 2oing to study for the operatic stage is uatrue. A New York ?:mnr says: “Annie Louise Cary is 31 years old.” Now look out for thun- der ali along the line. The Hutchinson Family will give one of their characteristic concerts ai the Langley Avenue M. E. Charch to-morrow cvening. Miss Kelloge hus been unable to sing in Cin- cinnati owing to indisposition. In *“Miznou,” that very industrious little body, Miss Lancus- ter, took the title role, and made a very credita- ble success with it. The Enclewood Musical Society have engazed the followini talent to appear at their concert at Tillotsou’s Hall Tuesday evening, Jan. 7: Willfam Lewis, violinist; Miss Agues Ingersoll, planist; and Mirs. Clara D. Stacy, soprano. A dime concert will be given at Unity Church to-morrow evening for the benefit of the Iu- dustrial School * Shoe Fund;” in which the Misses Julie Moran, Dutton, Spaulding, Cross, Brown, Mrs. Davidson, and Messrs. Wey and Freese will take part. . The Mendelssohn Club of Hyde Park an- mounce their first concert of this season for Christmas week. The organization is in fine coudition, and is well rehearsed in an excellent programme. Awmong other numbers will be given Mr. F. W. Root’s **Landing of the Pil- grims™ for chorus and orchestra. Signor Farini, of this city, opens with his Italian opers compauy fu St. Paul Dec. 23, for one week, and_then starts on an extensive Western tour.” His company is composed of none but professionals, and is full and complete in every respect. Mr, H. M. Dickson, the elo- cationist, zoes with him as stage manager. The Amphion Choral Society have elected the followiny officers: S. L. Robinson. President; T.d. Darey, Viee-President; W. W. Watson, Secretary; George Woodhall, Treasurer; Sam- uel T, Norman, Librarian. Directors—J. F. Boland. W. P. Griswold, Dr. H. W. Heming- way, and A. D. Carter. Musical Director, . L. Robertshaw, The Tracy Titus opera troupe, which is now meceting with very remarkable success in Bos- ton. is booked for a short scason at MeVicker's Theatre carly in January. The principal mem- bers of the troupe are Catharine Lewis, Laura Joyee, Emma Mertler, Miss Clancy, Eurene Clarke, Henry teukes, and Charles "F. Lane. ¢“Che Chimes of Normaundy " has been one of the ureat successes of thisorganization, in which Peakes plays the Miser. The programme for the Turner Hall concert this afternoon includes the following numbers: ** The Kiug’s Polouaise,” by Bilse; the overture to Reissiger’s * Yelva ™; "Bargicl’s * Germun Dances ”'; Schubert’s * Reiter March,” arranged by Liszt; the overture to Hornemann's ¢ Alad- din**; Handel’s # Larzo 75 Weber’s * Invita- tion to the Dance”; Zulehner's potpourri, + Beautiful Spirits Mecting ”; Strauss’ waltz, * Life in the Vienna Woods; and Weingar- ten’s ¢ Cupid Quadrille.”” A ladies’ concert for the benefit of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society of the church will be given at the First Congrexational Church on Thurs- day evening, the 19th inst., under the manage- ment of Mrs. Morris Temple, the cnurch or- eunist. The pregramme will “consist of vocal, violin, piano, and orgiia numbers. s. 0. L. Fox, Miss Nellic Bangs, the St. Ceeilia Ladles® Quartette, and other ladies will taie part. In tact, all the performers will beladies, and ladies will be usliers,—a feminine feature that ought tobe o strong magoet upon the masculine pocket-book. FROM NEW YORK. THE MAPLESON SEASON. . From Our Own Correspondent. N&w York, Dee. 12.—It was not to be cx- pected that Mr. Mapleson would et throuzn his first season in New York without trouble. It may be doubted whetner anybody ever et succeeded in dealing harmonfously with the Directors of the Academy of Music. As these eentlemen fail to agree among themselves, no wonder they fail to agree with the manager who tries to render their property productive. Some of the Dircctors, be it suid to their hizh praise, are men of liberal- ity, enterprise, and public spirit, who would even sacriice somethinz to establish first-class opera In the metropolis, Others are ‘men of quite another stamp, who, by persevering in a small course, have not only damaged musical interests, but their own at the same time. Let us rejoice at the lattsr clause, for want of other satisfaction. When the old management was thrown out last season there seemed a prospect of better things. The close, stupld, and fatal policy which had driven [zalian Opera from its proper home to Booth’s was be- lieved to have been swept away. . contract of liberal character, it was affirmed, was concluded with Mr. Mapleson, ot Her Majesty’s, who in his turn agreed to present opers .of high order. But now, after a number of weeks, there is war all around the circle. It sppears to be essential to give an overatic season bnllisney and eclat that every- body in any way connected with the opera, in a general trial. When all other attemnpts 1ail prime donne are made to faki out with one aoother. As anovelty the pudlic seemed to take to that sort of thing, and as a frec avd fine advertiscrent the matager was not averse to it. Novelties arc happily short-lived, however, and time will no = doubt so change popular opinion 35 to permit a peace- tul yet orofitable seuson. 1 have noticed already, for instance, that no percepti- ble interest hus been taken here in the gossip about Kellozz and Litts, or about the latter's dealings with.her manager. Andtocome home, there-is the sliehtest interest fo the passaze at arms between Mile. Hank und her manager, which forms one feature of the common disturb- ance operatic. To return to the Academy Directors, the pres- ent ditliculty is about the PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BILLS. Indeed, if there were no bills to pay, and the Treasurer of the Directors’ Board had bo duty save to chromicle receipts, there would be . the most complete ~and beautiful harmony in that Board. But bills ure a potent cause of mischief in this world, and the greenback-politicizn is the only mau whods afeaid the couniry willnot have enoughof them. The ills that Mr. Mapleson made at the Di- rectors’ c-half at theirs. and one hal ¢ bills for scenery. The position of aflairs, oriefly, was and is something like this: When Mr. "Mapleson resched the Academy, he found, to use bis own expression, that Mux Strakosch, like 2 200d General, had devasted and barned the country behind him, in anticipation of the coming of the enemy.” In other words, when be came to look for the cenery which it was supposed the Academy contained; - Mr. Mapleson discovered that the scenery of **Lohengrin,”” * Aida,” and other overas, bad been earriea away by Mr. Strakoseh, 25 bie 5238, and nothing but 4 heap of rubbish remaincd. Nor was the armameut and outfit in any better condition. This lefz no alternative, if the public was to be pleased, as promiseg, with attractive setting, but to. provide everv- thing new. This the mavager proceeded to do. By his contract, the dircctors were to pay balf the cxpense of the ‘material oceded voth for scenery and other improvements. 'The manager gave the services of his senic art- sts, and paid for the work. Tle was resolved that his_season should not {ail because of a shabby house. He had fulfilled his part in brinmng over a larze and competent company, and wanted the surrouudings to_be in harmony with the performance. ‘There was an amusing incident almost ut the outset of the improve- ments, and one that presazgd the storm now raging. One of the close-pocketed stockhold- ers was viewing with amazemnent the chance in the appearance of the Academy. IHe stared at the bright new carpet in the corridors, at the rich red cortain, at the restauraut, at the vases of rare plants which made the fover 8 place of beauty. Why, the place was actually clean. At last” he easped, * Who authorizeldl this{” ~#Idid,” was Mr. Mapleson’s reply. “And who will. pay for it,I should like to know?” I will,”” was the manager’s prompt answer. He was willing to pay for having a bright and attractive house, if nobody else would. As for the stage appointments, he went ahead with them, and made them fit for the first city of the continent. As the Dircctors were ot prowpt in paving their half, he paid all and chareed half to their account, in _that way run- ninz up a bill of $2,500 against them, when he thougbt it time thiz account wus scttled, and called attention to the matter, TUE LIVELIEST KIND OF A SCENE ENSUED. The upshot of it was that Mr. Royal Phelps resigned his position as Treasurer, it being un- derstood that he had tried to run the Academy on what he considered business principles, and failed to see how he was coming out_with ang- thine but ruip, what ‘'with Mr.” Mapleson’s ex- travagance, and his determination todo as he vleased. The latter was to meet the Board-to- day and try toconvince the members that he had given them 36,000 worth of scenery and appointments for 32,500, since the artist-work had cost them nothing, and the scenery was to be left with them. Mr. Auzust Belmout supports the manager, as he always has the cause of music, but it is considered doubtful whether the outcome of the trouble will not be toclose the Academy agzin, and with that to close the prospect of an annual season of opera under a known and established management. Mr. Mapleson naturally maintains that be knows how to conducet opera better tnan a man without expericuce possibly can, and like every English- man he will have his own way or uo way at all. It fs certainly to be “hoped that in some unforcseen manuer the vpresent troubic may be disposed of, and the field ear for future successes. So far as the is concerned, Mr. Mapleson has met with very encourazement. Packed houses have testitied the approval of the admirable com- pany. Had the expenses been less cnormous, the profits would make a handsome showing. As for the Inpresario, he nas well falfilled his promise to give performances of hign excel- lence. Muchof the work done has been ad- mirable bevond eriticising; none of it has been mediocre. If the public persists in rating one artist above another, and in making any other thun the “‘star” svstem impossible by refus- ing to attend- performances in which their [ par:icular favorite does not apoear, I do not see now the manager can help that. The present scason bas slown up some of the fallacies of the crities who declaim against “starring.” It nas heen said that injustice was done MLLE. HAUK by putting the burden of the operaupon her during Mme. Gerster’s illness, and thus wear- ing out her popularity hefore herrival apoeared, What nonsense that is! 1t Mlle. Hauk had won popularity, and werc an artist the cqual of Mne. Gerster, does nclg‘ one suppose the pnblic would have d2sert her because u rival appearedt She had every. chance to make herself a fuvorite. The same complete supuort was given her, the operas were mounted in the same splendid style as subsequentls. Campznini and Galassi, and Del Puente and Foli were ber aids. But the truth was simpiy that Mile. Uauk was not satisfactory, and. had not a greater artist been in the background, the scason would have ended abruptiv. Whatever praise should be bestowed upon Mile. Hauk asa dramatie artist, she has not the voice that holds, and thrills, and draws. That is not Mr. Maple- son’s fault, surelv. It would pay him the better to have Mile. Hauk draw larver houses than Mumie. Gerster, because it costs him less to have the former sing; therefore it cannot be that he would place any obstacles in the way of ber suc- cess. Wnen “Faust” and “Don Giovanni” werc given, and_given in u compleggness of en- sembie surpassing anything within recollection, the audiences were lizht, and it was said in ex- planation that those operas were worn out. But, had Gersler been announced to appear as Warquerite, what u crush there would have been!? t isn’t the opera, it Is the prima donna, the people 20 to Liear und see, and the fact ought to be recomnized by this time, & As for Mile. Huuk’s difference with Mr. Mavlesou, which threatened at one time to lead to her withdrawal from the company, it is an- nounced by the lady herself that cverything has been amicably sctzled, 2ud that she will sing with Ole Bull. Regarding her richt to sine or not sing ou Sunday, a3 she chose, it was evi- dentlv “iinpossible to determine that question without a costly lawsuit, with a precedent agmnst a decision belng rendered after all. Some hard things were said on both sides, bat the affair not increase Mlle. Hauk's audience Wednesday nizht, which is another proot that the people are weery of such contro. versics, and are not to be attracted by anything but the merits of the artist, independently of Ber personal affairs. I cannot find any confirma- ion of tie report that Mile. Hauk is'to “star 77 “this country under a manager as yet nameless. The belicf hiere is, on the contrary, that she de- sires to go back to Germany and other countrics where she has had successes, not considering herself at all appreciatea in America. Very probably she fs not, and that is a courtcous way tooutit. One thing is certain, though, that she would make a hit fn overa bouffe. Her ron. derine of one of Aimee’s favorite airs last night, as an encore, and her role of Curmen, both shotw that she could *“star ** successfully in that ling of opera. THE TICRET SPECULATORS have been busy at the Academsy ever since the operatic season opencd. They bave undonbted- ly made more money out of the opera than has anybydy else. The’ people have grumbled at them, sworn at them, and taken seats of them. After taking the seats at an extortionate tigure, they have sworn at the manaser. Mr. Mapleson suys he has tried to stop the securing of the best _seats by the speculators, but asks what could he do? * When the recognized agents sent, to buy blocks of seats were refused, alone came women by the score, wishing half a dozen seats each. Couldn’t refuse themy tickets, you know. A larze proportion of the public, o the other hand, velieve the manazement could o much to prevent this imposition. Mr. Maple- son’s advice {s for the public to stay awuy ote or two nights. That would ruin the speculators, But the public will never be wise enough, prob- ably, to adopt tuat sure method of correction. The charge is made in 2 dramatic paper that, Rultl’mnu, the cm-:a of these cxtortionists, 5en! two agent to Boston wil $12,000 worth of tickets for the c":..!]tl'é nizhts and two matinees of the opera company there, and that be sold out Immediately to a speculator there at anadvance of 33,500, 1 know nothing of the truth of this, which must implicate the management, bat Mr. Mapleson £aid to me the other day that Rullman declared he was goine along on the Western tour, and that the manager was making a fortane for him ; also that Rullinan wasairendy covering the field in Chicago. This is an imposition which Mr, Haverly should suppress. He can do ftif he cares t0. It i3 also gossip that the terms by which Mr, are 80 per cent of the oross receipts, ang ou thesc terms e willalso control the'sepsr St. Louis and Cinciunati. Mr. Mavleson mv’l all travelinz cxpenscs, and thie salaries o 1oy people, ivcluding bis fall orchestra, MAPLESO thllec;lng Mr. chn e uther nighz, his socf lations with * Mr. Strakosch werer '":,;"; that they bad no business together, o replied that they were of pleusant char.. acter, a3 always. then asked bim further, what Mr. Strakosch meant iy that casg by calling him an intriguer, as he bud done ao. cordins toa St Louis interviewer. The sne- he Academy sked bim what term, h yes, I saw that interview,” po said, Bug I also saw a gentleman who was Dresent, and who rave me another version. He safd Max really 'sald this—*that some Dersong charged me with betne an intrieuer, but thay he § did not beiere it Sec! And the 'best proof that l&c;\l(flu';lbe}icvc itlls h)c:]:"’ And Mr. Mapleson handed me a tel, gram. that afternoon received from Maxag Louzg?m, fu which e offered to engage Marie Roze for four months at $500 a weel, and 20 per cong ot the net receipts to Mr. Mableson. This os $200 more per week toan she bad last season, Mr. Mapleson has three other offers. one {rop, Havana, and one from bis father, and he ha not vet decided what to do. With Kellogs Litta, a0d Roze what would Max not do inygy way of quarreling? HG. MARIE ROZE. Special Dispatch to The Tridune. NEw York, Dec. 14.—Marie Roze has signed a contract to sing during the remainder of thy season with the Mapleson opera troupe, which will be in Chieago soon. Strakoseh offered hep 00 a week and percentage, but she deciined, Sne 1lrill Join Mapleson in New York for aq opening. ELSEWHERE. 3 VON BUELOW’S FEAT. ‘The London Graphic, apropos of Van Buclow's five sonata act, says: At the first of two announced planoforte r on Wedneaday afternoon in St. James' unf."i‘;l.' Yon Buelow played, withont book, the last fivg Sonatas of Beethoven,—Ops. 101, 106, 109, 110, and 111. These made up the entire prozramme. Thouch unquestionably o remarkable exhibition of ‘*virtnosity, " the elfect s somewhat prolix. One of the sonatas, for instance,—Op. 106,—13 enormously long. while none of them are excens uonally brief. The performance, therefore, thoash intercating, was as zreata stretch upon the atteq. tion of the audience as upon tne physical and men- tal powers of the artist,—who. it will be ensy to snderstand, in the circumstances, wag by 0o means invariably up to the requisite mark. The examplo thus set i3 not one we should conscientioasly ud- vise other pianists to follow, notwithstanding the “fact. of which connoisseurs are aware, that thers exist some few able to _accomplish the tssk just as readily as Dr. Von Buelow. The audience sat patiently enough till the fourth sonata came to an end; but very many retired before the maguificent C minor bezan. Beethoven himself would not have tolerated such a proceeding. Each of the last five sonatas has a distinctive, individoal physioznomy of iis own: and to hear themall Played in Interrupted snccession must distract the mind of the most earnest 2nd contemplative ams. tear. What would Becthoven hase said had ft been pronosed to mve his last five symphonies, ong, after another, under the same conditions¥ Ha would huve raved at the mere notion. 't his comes {rom the pride of exceptiunal **virtuosity.” which places the executant above thoecomposer. A sin- gle sonuta of Beethoven's is enough for one pro- Eramme. —that [s, supposing it to be listened to with befitting attention. MUSICAL NOTES. Mile. Albani (Mme. Gge) has left Paris for Rassia, betog engaged to sinx at 3loscow and St. Petersbure during the winter. The report that Sitnor Verdl is eomposing a new opera, ** Francesea da Rimini,” mav bo coutradicted on the authority of Sirnor Verdi biwself. Prof. Macfarren is writine a cadeuza for Mo zart’s D Minor Concerto, which will be per- formed at Mme. Viara-Lonis’ concert, under Mr. Weist Hill’s direction, Dec. 17. Miss Sallie Hotman, the well-knowz primma donoa of tle Holman opera company, i3 to co- ter into the havpy state of matrimony on the eoming New-Year's Dav. The lucky manis Mr. Jumes Dalton, formerly besso of the Uates compauy. *The Messiah * will be given inder the direc- tion of Theodore Thomiy, in Cincinnat, in Christoias week.. The soloists will be Milses Van and Cranch, of Cincinnatl; Mr. Hartloy Thompson, an English tenor; and Mr. Myron W. Whitney, of Buston. ‘The programme of the fifth Leipsic Gewanl- haus concert was composed larely of novelties. Among them were 2 “*Rbapscdy? for contraito solo, male ciiorus and orchestra, by Braims; an overture, ** Nordische Heerfarht 7 (successiut), by the Danish writer, Emile Hartmann; M. Saint-Saens’ G minor converto, plufied by Mme. Essipoff; and Gade’s symphony in B flat. Mme. Adelina Pattiand Siznor Nicolini hay- ing modestry asked £i00 (10,000 francs) per night to sing next spring at the Theatre an der Wien, at_Vienoa, the mauvager, Herr Jaaner, intimated politely that he had unfortunately left his check-book at home. A younz Awerican musician, 3Ir. Georzs Magrath, wbo has been studying the piano for several years at Stutteurt and elsewhere, made a public appearance last -month at the _Syden- Lam Crystal Palace. playing Rubinstein’s con- certoin D No. 4. The London Times sassol the performmance: “A young pianist who can grapple with the mere technical difficulties of the concerto may advance just claims to & mas- ter's certificate.’? Herr Wagner’s “Siegfried” has been very successful at the Imperial Opera-House in Vieo- na. The performance lasted over five hours, Aespite several “cats” in the score. The chief characters were sustained by Mme. Materna (the Bayrcuth prima donna), Herr Jager (the unog, Herr Beck (the baritone), and Herren Schmidt and Scaria (the basses). The mise en scene was superior to that at Bavreuth. The *Gotter- dammerung,” the fioal opera of the trlogy, isto be the next work. “ Rheinrold” has been produced, under the dircction of Herr Franz Abt, at the Ducal Theatre. All the gingers, togesher with toe conductor, were called onat the end of the per- formauce. *Dic Walkure” is to follow in the spring. In consequence of the fatiguing re- hearsals indispensable for the above two Waz- nerian overas, the number of Subscription Con- certs this year has been limited to five. Mme. Essipoff and Herr Standigl, a member of the operatic -company at Baden, took part in the first concert. 3 The London Figaro of Nov. 23 says: “Dr. Hans von Buclow is a man of action. He con- ducted at a concert at Hanover on Saturday, on Monday be arrived in England, the same even- ing he played at the Monday Popular Concerts, on Tuesdzy he conducted the Blind School con- cert, aud on Wednesday he played the last five of Beethoven's sobatas at bis Srst recital 3t St. James’ Hail. ' On Thursday be started off into the provinces, and for the next three weeks, at least, he will know not a single day’s leisure. For the Monduy Popular Concerts Dr. von Buelow sclected Schumann’s fantasia in C and the planoforte trio in G mivor by his friend and compatriot, Hans von Bronsart. The merits of the trio were fuliy discussed after ite first b formance in this'country at the concert of Miss Helene Arnim at Messrs. Kirkman's Rooms last scason, and uothin further need now be safd about ft. The executants on Monday were, of course, Dr. von Buelow, Mme. Norman-Neruds, and Sig. Plattl. 8t. James’ Hall was crammed to the doors, and Monday Popular Concert au- diences were warm in tleir expressions of dé- licht in welcoming back this great, if oces sloually erratic, pianist.” —————— WATER-LILIES, A white water-lily rocked idly in the son, On the lake’s broad bosom, in the morn; But grew pallid ‘neath the moon's rays when the day was done, For unto her o baby-bud was born, And hfi{l leaves, expanding, held the wee ou® 2htly, As he pillowed it azalnst her snowy breast; And she pleaded with the wild birds and zephyrs 0 sing lightiy, That the babs-blossom might find reet. Lowe{l;henncd the branches of the lowly-bendisg willow, Fushed the song of wild birds passing by, \\'hflic"elch tiny zephyr sought o floweret for & pillow, And rocked itself to slumber with a sigh. Taen the mother-lily slegt, contentment i3 ber slecping, Dreaming of the stars—the Moon's babies—snd the wa; But awoke from quiet dreams to spend her Jife in ‘weeping, . Alonc—and all the other lities gone. Far from the Jake, in the dusty, crowded city, 4 scarlet woman, passinz in the morn. W the water-lilies, and, in silent, tender pity, Wondered where the snowy flowera were born- Then there 'rose the vision of a happy lifetime waste Ere love and passion brought her gilded shame— f 3 mother's carncst prayer—of bappiness 0nct ted, Before hersin had robbed her of her name. [E'en as the lilies were, in the market of the citys Therr waxen petals tarnished by the dast, Her own frail lifc had been. with no hope of love or pity— A fallen woman—rained through her trust. Down on the shore, in her costly silk and laces, Found aead, Iying still upon the sand— of ntu ber weary jonrney, or friends, she leaves n0 races, Savoa buiich of withered ilies clasped tightly i8 r her hand, * Dec. 8, 1878, Avis GRAT. cesstul manager of Mme. Roze smiled g the