CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1876 Abstracts 1-8 CULTURAL FORCES 1 L Jan. 1:4/6 - A large audience assembled in the rooms of the Cleve- (3) 2 L Jan. 3:5/1 On Jan. 1, the Welsh citizens of the 18th ward held a grand eisteddfod in the town hall there. Eisteddfod signifies a congress of bards or literati who assemble once each year to discuss all branches of literature and music. The eisteddfod was held to aid the Ivoraidd society of this city, and judging from the large attendance must have been quite remunerative in its results. (18) 3 L Jan. 4:4/5 - Miss Jane Coombs appeared at the Euclid ave. Opera house last evening in ADRIENNE LECOUVREUR. The audience was unusually large for Monday night, and the actress was followed with attention throughout the performance. "Miss Coombs is excellent, her enunciation, simple and mild, without triviality or affectation, but she lacks power and animation. The supporting cast, including Whiting, Pendleton, Meredith, Curran and Miss Jack, were good throughout.' (12) 4 L Jan. 5:4/5 - THE UNEQUAL MATCH, a three act drama by Tom Taylor, was presented to a Cleveland audience for the first time last night at the Euclid Ave. Opera house. The play is well written throughout, and the attention of the audience never flags. Miss Coombs as "Hester Graisebrook," afterwards "Lady Arncliffe," appeared to better advantage then we have ever before seen her. (15) 5 L Jan. 7:4/5 Sheridan Knowles' matchless drama LOVE was presented at the Euclid ave. Opera house last evening with a powerful cast. The play can be called a drama of passion. The action is simple and direct, every moment and the character of every personage tending towards one object. In the trying character of the "Countess," Miss Coombs developed a depth of power and an intensity of passion commensurate with every requirement. The support was good throughout. · 6 L Jan. 7:5/4 The Academy of Music was crammed last evening for Haverly's ministrel show. It is entirely unnecessary to say that everyone present was pleased, for such a statement is a foregone conclusion when this troupe appears. 7 (13) (4) L Jan. 7:8/4 - Last evening Ed. French of Haverly's minstrel troupe, a former resident of the fifth ward, was presented with a bosom pin of solid gold containing nine brilliant stone settings by his friends in the fifth ward. (4) 8 L Jan. 8:4/5 Dion Boucicault's sparkling comedy, LONDON ASSURANCE was presented at the Opera house last evening on the occasion of the benefit of Miss Jane Coombs. The comedy was superbly performed, every actor CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1876 Abstracts 9 - 14 CULTURAL FORCES (Cont'd) personating his role without a flaw. Every actor entered fully into the spirit of his character, bringing out all the wit of the piece in a way that seemed spontaneous. (6) 9 L Jan. 11:4/4 - A small audience and a magnificent performance is the brief story of last evening at the Opera house. The piece was the popular play RICHELIEU, with McCullough in the title role. The smooth, feeling elocution of McCullough brings his audience at once into sympathy with him. At times it is full of pathos of iron-like energy or of a keen, lively appreciation of the ludicrous. The support is in the main good. (15) 10 L Jan. 12:4/3,4 John McCullough appeared at the Euclid ave. Opera house last evening before a somewhat larger audience than the previous night in the character of Othello. It is a role for which he possesses many natural attributes. His is a grand, well rounded character of savage life and vigor, in which the virtues of civilization have taken a deep root and to which vice is unknown. (10) 11 L Jan. 12:8/3 The Kelly and Leon minstrels were greeted by a large and refined audience at the Academy of Music last evening. The number of encores showed that all were pleased with the appearance of the troupe and the program. (2) 12 L Jan. 13:4/6 Of the many characters personated by John McCullough, there is none with which he is so thoroughly identified as in "Virginius" which he played at the Opera house last night. The character combines all that is noblest in nature: A loving father, a true patriot, and a courageous soldier. The support was good throughout, particularly in the roles personated by Miss Effie Ellsler and Pendleton and Meredith. 13 L Jan. 14:4/4 McCullough appeared at the Euclid ave. Opera house last evening in the trying character of "Hamlet," performing it with ease, grace, and power that is astonishing when the diversion of repertory is considered: In some scenes he is superior to anyone who has ever personated the part in this city. In the scene with "Ophelia," after the soliloquy, the words intended for the king's ear are uttered with a wild, penetrating accent, while those intended solely for "Ophelia" bear the impress of tender emotions. (6) The support was good throughout, Miss Effie Ellsler giving the character of "Ophelia" a very fine portrayal and Mrs. Potter showing marked improvement in her rendition of the queen. (7) 14 L Jan. 14:4/5 The Euclid ave. Opera house was filled yesterday afternoon for the benefit of the Ladies' Centennial association, to witness a performance of Tom Taylor's charming comedy, STILL WATERS run DEEP, as presented by the East Cleveland Dramatic association. For an amateur performance it was carried through in an admirable manner. (5) CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1876 Abstracts 15 - 20 CULTURAL FORCES (Cont'd) 15 L Jan. 15:4/4 The audience at the Euclid ave. Opera house was larger last evening. The play was KING LEAR, one of the most powerful productions in its situations. No actor not gifted by nature with especial apti tudes for the title role can portray it. It was one of the grandest, most superb and massive renditions ever witnessed by any audience. The support was generally good. Miss Effie Ellsler personated the character of "Cordelia" without a flaw. Whiting was unusually effective as 'Edgar" and at the end of the third act the applause was fairly divided between him and McCullough. (15) 16 L Jan. 15:4/5 - The most enjoyable concert given on the west side this season was presented on Jan. 13 at the Detroit st. Congregational church under the auspices and in aid of the Franklin st Disciple church. The parts taken by the Arion quartet were rendered in the usual unexcelled style of the club, while the solos by Miss Barney, Miss Bregelmann, and Mrs. Rawson were all that could be expected, even from such singers. (7) 17 L Jan. 17:7/1 Socials are held every Saturday evening at the Central place Friendly Inn. On Jan. 15 the members of B. C. Freeman's quadrille band generously devoted their services for two hours, delighting the crowd that pressed in to hear them. It was wonderful to see how the careworn faces of those present brightened under the magic influence of the sounds. 18 L Jan. 18:4/5 - It has been many months since Case hall held so fine an audience as that which greeted M'lle Titiens last evening on the occasion of her first, and possibly her last appearance in Cleveland. M'lle Titiens is simply and honestly great. There is no unique charm or witchery in her voice; she never rises into those climaxes which make people cheer and applaud Lucca. Her triumph is genuine, honest, and independent of all meretricious ornament or effect. There are in her execution none of the interpolated trills and roulades with which inferior artists are apt to deface the scone of the great composers. Of the remainder of the concert it can be said that it was fairly good. Mme Carreno has improved greatly since her first appearance here. Mark Keiser is a remarkably promising violinist. Signor Baccei, tenor, and Signor Orlandini achieved only a moderate success. (2) (13) 19 L Jan. 18:8/3 Hundreds of persons were turned away from the opening of Hart's academy last evening. A strong company appeared in a successful manner and gave promise of one of the best vaudeville performances ever given in this city. (1) 20 L Jan. 18:8/3 George L. Fox's New York Humpty Dumpty troupe opened a season of pantomime at the Euclid ave. Opera house last evening to a fine audience. The new version of this wonderful pantomine is "Humpty Dumpty in Every Clime." The tricks all the way through are very amusing. The second act is filled with choice specialties, which include the Almonte brothers, acrobats; Dunbar, vocalist; Kynock and Smith, parlor skaters; and Little Tod, gymnast and contortionist. CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1876 Abstracts 21 - 26 CULTURAL FORCES (Cont'd) The leading performer is Maffitt as "Clown," while Chapman seconds him as "Pantaloons. 21 L Jan. 19:8/1 No one acquainted with "Happy Cal" of Wagner's minstrels expects anything but enjoyment in the entertainment he provides. The program last evening at the Globe theater was full of fun and many specialties were introduced which were new and entertaining. 22 L Jan. 22; ed: 4/2 - The introduction of a 13 year old boy as a contortionist, acrobat, and trapeze performer in one of the theaters this week is a shameless cruelty and injustice, and spoils a good show. "It is not probable that the manager of the Special Combination now performing there is aware of how much 'the little phenomenon' injures the reputation of his otherwise excellent entertainment. Let him rest assured that juvenile trapeze business is a mistake. If it is not soon abandoned voluntarily, there will be, as there should be, laws to prevent it." (4) (2) (11) 23 L Jan. 25:4/4,5 The Euclid ave. Opera house was visited last night by the largest audience since its opening. The play was RICHARD III. Barry Sullivan's "Richard" is an even, artistic performance. The characterization is not so imposing and powerful as the imagination can frame for the crook-backed tyrant, but it is sufficiently broad and ample, and as it stands is without a flaw. He presents us "Richard" the villian, the deep, plotting, cool, murderous, viperish, insinuating villain. The whole performance was masterly. Every element in the singularly diabolical character stood out boldly in marked colors. Sullivan is an actor who thoroughly understands the spirit of his roles. The fact that the company had previously played with Sullivan was visible in the excellent manner in which he was supported. Ed Lee understood his part thoroughly, but was a little labored and heavy. His tone would have done admirably in the stilted language put in the mouth of the players of HAMLET. (19) 24 The L Jan. 25:7/2 - In a letter to the editor, "A Citizen" says: amusement criticisms in the last issue of the SUNDAY MORNING VOICE are a disgrace to journalism. To say of the great Titiens that her voice is worn, rendering perfect execution of tone impossible, and in the same issue pronounce a low variety show a highly meritorious entertainment certainly exhibits an elevated taste. We hope the publishers of the VOICE will either dispense with musical criticism or employ some one who can at least write without grossly insulting artists who visit us. 25 L Jan. 25:8/1 (3) A. F. Nolze and Company, city hall building, have just published a new piece of music for the piano entitled "March Brillante." It was composed by A. Spengler of this city and is pronounced a very creditable production. A very large audience was present at Hart's academy last night. The Wild Bill performance is hairlifting, especially when the 26 L Jan. 25:8/4 bear is introduced. (1) (2) CLEVELAND NEWSPAPER DIGEST JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1876 Abstracts 27 - 31 CULTURAL FORCES (Cont'd) 27 L Jan. 25:8/4 The manner in which the thrilling and exciting drama, THE TWO ORPHANS, was presented by the McKee Rankin combination at the Globe theater last evening certainly deserved the compliment of a larger house. It is a powerful, shifting picture which in one moment appeals to pity, the next to indignation, and in the next to laughter. The part of "Henriette" was played by Miss Kittie Blanchard, and was drawn in a tender yet vigorous manner and shows that she has great talents for emotional acting. As "Louise," the blind sister, Miss Mary Myers won the sympathy and admiration of her admirers. The play will be repeated. It is a piece worth the seeing. The interest is unflagging throughout. (7) 28 L Jan. 26:4/5,6 Barry Sullivan appeared last night before a large audience at the Euclid ave. Opera house in HAMLET. The characterization was throughout even and well- rounded, giving general satisfaction, though without any striking exhibitions of power or intensity of feeling. l'e understands the spirit of the character thoroughly and sets it forth in his gestures and movements rather than in his voice and facial expression. In the stormy scene with "Ophelia" which follows the soliloquy, Sullivan introduces several novelties in the "business," some of which are far from being improvements. As a whole, Sullivan's "Hamlet" is really a remarkable piece of acting. It is smooth, graceful, and even, full of picturesque poses, new and eloquent situations, and though it may lack the fire and intensity which at times becomes character, it must nevertheless te regarded as a performance of extraordinary merit. The support last night was generally good. (22) 29 L Jan. 26:5/2 In a letter to the editor, "An Interested Stockholder" says: By what right does the president of the Euclid ave. Opera house stock company now announce that no six per cent was ever guaranteed subscribers. It is the opinion of many stockholders that the president and several other interested parties are doing their best to depreciate the stock, buy it cheap, and then control the Opera house. (4) 30 L Jan. 27:4/5 The name of Barry Sullivan as the "Cardinal-Duke" in the play RICHELIEU drew a large and enthusiastic audience to the Opera house last evening. The humor of RICHELIEU is most fully brought out whenever there is an opportunity. In the fourth act the trying scene, where the curse of Rome is launched, was passed through with great power and ease. This outburst of fierce, desperate passion is the most trying point in the performance and it was rendered with eminent success. Sullivan was admirably sustained by the company. 31 L Jan. 27:4/5,6 The renowned German pianist, Hans Von Bulow, was welcomed at Case hall by a large audience which was fairly representative of the best musical culture and intelligence of the city. (9) The program was such a one as only a supreme master of the piano could have presented. The evening offered a chronological feast of music, covering the two centuries from Bach to Liszt. |