GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 4

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

-0-0-[BY EUTEKPE.j

Arthur LbsaNT has joined the ranks'of the Benedicts, but still retains his position in the Opera Troupe; R. W. Sceata is also a member of the chorus.

Mr J. McMahon, who left Sydney seven years ago to pilot Scott-Siddons around the world, has just returned to the colonies, and is now making arrangements for the _production in Sydney of Mr Henry Irvmgs grand spectacle of " Romeo and Juliet, the scenery and effects of which are reputed to have cost £12,000. Miss Fanny Reid, an English actress, has been brought out to play tho rule of Juliet.

Sam (jenese is arranging a benefit at Sydney for Signor Ricardi, who has been ill for noarly six months. Williamson and Co. have donated tho use of the Theatre Royal.

Sheridan's "Widow O'Brien " is the most laughable absurdity that tiie "Sydney Bulletin " has seen put on the boards. Mrs O'Brien is an ignorant dame, who, through a couple of lucky matrimonial speculations, has become rich. She is a bit of a wit in her way, and so full of Irish eccentricities that a potato would leap out of the ground if it happened to cot an eyo on her.

Manager Abbey, of the Metropolitan Opera Jlouso, New York, took a "benelit " lately, and tho scats were sold by auction. Tho boxes wore sold first, Mr Theodore Moss,of Wallack'sTheatre,paying 2,100 dollars for first choice. Mr Moss tlmn gave tho box back, and it was sold again to the ai'tUta of tho Metropolitan Opera llou^e for 2,000 dollars. Madamo I'atti paid 1,000 dollars for the next box, and Col. Mapleuon, Abbey's rival, paid 250 dollars for another box. Altogether the seats and boxes brought 15,000 dollars, a great portion of it being paid in by Mr Abbey's rivals in business.

R. S Smytbo has resigned his position with Mi™ O. Ward, and is " running Alec.' Mayne, an elocutionist."

Signor Verdi's new opera is approaching completion. The composer, it seems, is unwilling to call his opera " lago," as that personage is quite a subsidiary character. The work may not improbably be entitled "The Moor." Signor Boito, the librettist, lias dispensed with the business of tho first two acts ef Shakespeare's play, and, curiously enough, he has made Koderigo and Cassio comic characters, obtaining a good deal of fun out of the love business of Kodorigo. In tho catastrophe Pesdemona sings an " Aye Maria," and after a lengthy and dramatic duet with Othello, is duly smothered.

Messrs W, 11. Allen and Co. are about to publish, under the title of " The Victoria Era," a dictionary of all persons of note and eminence who are still living or have lived during the reign of Her Majesty. The work will be from the pen of Mr Edward Walford. It will occupy three, or perhaps four, large octavo volumes, and will be published in instalments. Let not all the New Zealand celebrities apply simultaneously for space.

Tho first exhibition of pictures ever held in Scotland on a Sunday wai given in the Corn Exchange, Gal ishiels, at the end of May. The collection belonged to a London art deMer. During the four hours the exhibition was open it was visited by upwards of 3,000 persons.

Mr C. W. Fredericks, ono of the. rising Engli-h tenor vocalists, has made a great success by his singing at the Trocadero Concerts in Paris. He was especially complimented for his-efforts by M. Gounod.

Messrs McMillian aid Co. were to have published on June 1 the first volume of a new library edition sf the works of the Poet Laureate, to be completed in seven volumes, issued monthly, ut five shillings each. A limited edition on hand-mado paper U to be issued, in gets only, at the rate of half a guinea a volume.

Mr Swinburno, is likely before long to bring out a now volume of critical essays.

The M.S. of Professor F. W. Newman's book on the origin of Christianity has been sent to the printer.