The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-05-11
nrhe Doctor Of Aicnntnra.v

The favor with which the first repre-
sentation of this charming opera was
received by the citizens of Middlebury,
FRIDAY night, April ~, before all audi
ence, which, If not quite as large as the
preceding one, was even more appre
ciative and enthusiastic. The enjoya
bleness of any musical production of
excellence increases as 1t becomes fa-
miliar to Its hearers, and the enhanced
pleasure of those present at the second
performance of the doctor of Alcanta-
IA" was manifest In the continuous rip
pie of applause with which 1t was greet
ed.
In Judging of the merits Of represent
tation in which those who have taken
part are not professional players, q Sc
" be set up. It's obvious that as voca-
lism and acting are arts in which per-
lection Is not to be expected until after
years of persistent training, a COMPARE
son of amateur with professional per-
formsnces would not be just to the for
iner. And yet, we are almost ready to
question If the ladies and gentlemen
who contributed their talents and time,
musical taste of the community, as we'll
as to an act of christian helpfulness,
have any reason to ask for forbearance
ut the hands of the critics. Certainly
there was little If anything more to de-
sire In the musical part of the perform
ances at Academy Hall, towards ren-
dering them perfectly acceptable to
cultivated musical judgement. 1t is
] 20. tl,at 90 a.
certed parts, the choruses and most of
the solos, it is not usual to hear better
work on the regular stage, OF course,
much OF this successis due to the exis-
tence of material out of which alone
success is possible. Our community is
fortunate in the possession of several
fine voices, which have been trained in
the best schools, and these, with valu-
able accession from abroad, have consti-
tuted working force which but need
hand to be fashioned into an effective
Fortunately again, the directing ability
was present IN the person of Professor
Higley. To his fine musical perception,
his executive strength, his patience, his
perseverance and his earnest devotion
|
gratifying result ofia,l week.
Where the whole was so satisfactory,
it would be almost superfluous to dwell
at length upon detail. We cannot re-
frain, however, from making special ref
erence to the excellence with which the
finale to the first act was rendered by
the company. There was precision in
the time and spirit and dash in the de-
livery that has rarely been equaled, as
far as our experience goes, in chorus
singing on the professional stage. The
same qualities were noticeable in the
terzeftd which opened the act. The So
10 gems of the opera are the roman,d,
by Lucrezia, "In Days Of Old" and
the air sung by Carlos after he first
emerged from the basket These we've
given by Mrs. Fletcher and Mr.. Shell
don with much feeling. Mrs. Olney
ratified of the two peculiarly Spanish
ballads assigned to the part Of Inez W tn
a liveliness and righteousness admira-
bly, in keeping with their character.
Miss Tupper's clear, sweet voice was
heard to advantage in the pretty aria
Beneath gloomy Converts WALL"
If the "acdng" part of the perform
ance of last week cannot be classed with
professional acting, it is only because
dramatic training, unlike musical train
ing, is not part of unprofessional life.
Thousands Of persons In private life are
educated to be fine singers and instru-
mentalists; very few are taught a
knowledge of the stage. Hence anna
teur acting is never likely to be as sue
cessful as amateur opera vocalism. But
It Is safe to claim that the presentations
of the Middlebury company, last week,
were as good as those of any other anna
tour company in the samo opera, and
that some OF them were decidedly bet
ter. Professor Higley, for example,
made u very clever presentation of the
part of the conscience-harrowed and
fear-stricken old quack doctor of Alcan.
tara. With the sprightly Inez, Mrs. o.
ney, he occupied the stage nearly
throughout the opera, and the efforts Of
the twain to conceal their fancied crimes
kept the house in roar of laughter.
Mr.. Sheldon was sufficiently absurd in
the character of the soft-hearted and
sott-headed young lover. Mr.. Whipple
pompOus captain of the night watch.
the home and the person of DR.. Parcel
|
tai young lady fresh from the convent,
were acceptable. The toilets of these
ladies were very handsome. Criticism
stands disarined in presence Of the
unique performance of the aged Don by
Mr.. Thad. Chapman. Whether it was
a great piece of acting or no acting at
all, but Mr.. Thad. Chapman In prop,ta
persona, just as he appears in the
| 10 of FOL
would be difficult to determine, but Il
certainly was very funny. 1t was hit.
The always amusing Duet of the por-
tiers was capitally rendered by Messrs.
Harvey and John Chapman. In voice,
makeup and Cuisines" they were eff
fective. And Mrs. Bond deserves much
praise for her excellent work at the pi-
ano. She generously, and we ought to
add in view ofthe circumstances, brave
ly, volunteered, almost on the eve of
the first representation, TO take the place
of sister artist who had fallen iii. 1t
would have been impossible for the au-
dience to know from her playing that
she had become familiar with the score
only few hours before. The sickness
of Miss Sheldon, who had practiced so
long and with such promise of success,
at the rehearsals, was a matter of much
regret, for she deserves to see the
triumph of her faithful labors. The or
chestral part Of the opera was under the
charge ofProf. Hatch aud was efficient
ly performed.
The new stage, with its bright. CHEEKY
interior, was surprise and delight tn
the audience. Something that Middle
bury has always wanted, It has at length
got, thanks to the publc-spirited lady
who started the movement and the citf-
zens who periodically fell into line with
their subscriptions. Hereafter, II KEEL
logg or Booth decline to scintillate be-
fore. the F. Fs. of Middlebury it win
not be because there is not a proper
stage In the town TO hold them.
Proclamation.
I