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Show LOST HIS NEW OPERA. O. II. Hrlgham Tell How IteWolf Hopper Decamped With the Muilo of Marcella. Chicago Herald. r Sr. Loi'is, Feb. Fob. 21. G. 15. Brig-ham Brig-ham of Chicago, author of the score of tho comic opera, "Marcella," is here and tells an interesting story of the way ho was tricked out of tho opera by Comedian DeWolf Hopper. Last December, De-cember, when the stalwart Hopper was doing "Castles in the Air" in Chicago, he was given "Marcella" for inspection The book is by E. N. Wood, also of Chicago, and the papers had spoken well of the effort. The authors had received re-ceived oilers for its production from several good companeis, notablv Ihe combination headed by sprightly Ver-nona Ver-nona Jarbeaii. In this way it. had attracted at-tracted the attention of Wesley Sisson, the well known theatrical business manager, and Mr. Sisson was so thoroughly impressed by Marcella' s possibilities that he undertook to place it with DeWolf Hopper and thus secure at one stroke tho opportunity for scoring scor-ing a metropolitan success at the start. At Hopper's own appointment a meet-in meet-in a was arranired at which he was to hear the score of "Marcella." He requested, re-quested, however, that flic libretto be dlaeed in his hands before that meeting in order that he might look over it and familiarize himself with the action of the story. His request was complied with anil the book of "Marcella'' confided con-fided to his care. He did not keep his appointment but eloped with the score. Mr. Brighnm has for two months been vainly trying to recover his gem, and the only answer Hopper makes is that he gave it to his valet to mail back to Chicago. The postal authorities have made a thorough investigation and state officially that the opera was never mailed. |