Eleven Female and Ten Male Figures.
This thrilling tableau is a representation of a scene from the popular
opera of Sappho. The design is taken at the moment when Sappho has
finished her first song, "Morning has never dawned," and the
attendants join in the chorus. The number of figures in the piece is
twenty-one, eleven ladies and ten gentlemen. The scenery in the
background and at the sides represent pillars of marble; these can be
cheaply made of strips of marble paper, with a cornice running around
the top; in the centre of the background is placed a platform two feet
high by four feet square; on each side of this are pedestals three
feet high by one and a half feet square, the fronts panelled with red
Turkey cloth, and bordered with gold paper; on the top of these should
be placed large earthen vases, painted to represent bronze, from the
mouth of which there should issue colored flames. From the right and
left sides of the platform to the front corners of the stage place the
chorus singers. The ladies stand on the left side; three are placed on
a platform one foot high, and standing in front of them, at equal
distances, are seven more. The gentlemen on the other side are
arranged in the same manner. Sappho, the heroine of the tableau,
stands on the platform between the two pedestals; the left hand rests
on the top of one of the pedestals, and the other is raised up at
arm's length. The head is thrown back slightly, and the eyes are
raised upward. The right foot is placed twenty inches in advance of
the left, the body facing the audience.
Sappho's costume is a long, white robe, cut low at the top, over which
is worn a short half skirt of white tarleton muslin, reaching to the
knee; sleeves five inches long, trimmed with Grecian border; the
lower portion of both of the skirts trimmed with black velvet two
inches wide, ornamented with gold paper and spangles; a wide band of
gold is placed around the top of the dress, and covered with wide
white lace. A band of wide black velvet ribbon, ornamented with showy
paste pins, encircles the waist, and a wreath of silver leaves adorns
the head. These can be cut from silver paper, lined with cloth, and
fastened to a small wire. The hair is arranged in wide braids at the
side of the head, clasped by a silver band at the back, and allowed to
hang in short curls in the neck.
The chorus ladies are costumed in white dresses, low-necked; sleeves
five inches long, trimmed with narrow pink ribbon, a bow of the same
at the top of the sleeves, fastened to the dress by a brilliant glass
pin; over the skirt of the dress should be worn a half skirt of white
tarleton muslin, which should be two feet long in front, and three
behind; this is belted about the waist with a pink ribbon, and trimmed
around the bottom with oak leaves. The hair of most of the ladies
should be arranged in curls, which should be confined together with a
band of silver, while three of the ladies must allow their hair to
fall loosely over the shoulders; wreaths of artificial flowers should
adorn the heads of all. The lady who stands near the corner of the
stage at the front should have in her left hand a torch, from which
issues colored flame, while the right hand is raised above the head,
the right foot placed twenty inches before the left, the body and head
thrown back, the eyes cast upward, and excitement should be expressed
in the countenance. (The torch can be made of wood, and covered with
silver paper.) Every other lady in the row of seven should hold a
torch, and take similar positions. Those standing near the
torch-bearers are costumed in the same manner, and hold small harps in
the left hand, while the right touches the strings. The body and head
are thrown back slightly, and the eyes cast upward. Those performers
standing near the platform should be elevated on small platforms of
various heights, so as to be distinctly seen. On the platform behind
the seven stand three other ladies, at equal distances from the front
corner of the stage to the pedestals. Their costume should be similar
to the others; position the same, while the hands are clasped in front
of the bosom, and the eyes are directed to the form of Sappho.
The ten gentlemen are costumed in white coats trimmed around the
bottom, the sleeves and collar with black cambric two inches in width,
and ornamented with gold; a black belt of the same material encircles
the waist; black pants or breeches; white hose reaching to the knee,
and fastened with a silver band and buckle; low shoes, with a blue
rosette on the front. A wide white mantle trimmed with oak leaves
should be worn across the breast, the ends ornamented with wide yellow
cambric fringe, which should be fastened at the side with a blue
rosette, and trail made nearly long enough to reach the floor. The
head is adorned with a wide band of velvet, ornamented with gold. The
performers should be furnished with long, full beards, which can be
made of hemp or horse-hair. The arrangement of the gentlemen is the
same as that of the ladies--seven placed on a line from the pedestal
to the corner of the stage, and three on the platform behind. The
front rank have the golden harps and the torches. The gentlemen on the
platform clasp their hands in the same manner as the ladies opposite.
The position of all the chorus singers is such that a profile view is
had of their features.
The front lights should be turned down quite low; the lights at the
side where the gentlemen stand should be very brilliant. A red fire
should be thrown on the platform and the figure of Sappho. Music
should be quite brilliant.