The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-28
OPERA ROUTE.
An Interview With the Lady Who
IL 10 Play In wheeling Next

Is 10 Play in Wheeling Next
Bah.lo Express
During the week Just paat we have, a.
most Of our readers are aware, been treat.
ed to aseAson OF opera bonfFe BY the Oates
English Comic Opera Company. Mrs.
Alice Oates, who is the bright particular
star Of the company, Ia we'll known
throughout the country as q most indie.
fatigable and successful exponent Of Eng.
lish opera boufle. Throug b her untiring
energies was this style OF opera brought
to and introduced 10 America. During
her stay reporter Of the Express sought
an interview with Mrs. Oates, but owing
to the multiplicity Of her duties NO OPP
portunity was offered until last evening,
when our representative called at the
Mansion House, and after formal in.
PRODUCTION held the following conversa.
ton with Mrs. Oats:
Mrs. OAtes--Well, | should be very glad
to give you any information can upon
the subject.
Reporler-When did you first intro.
duce English opera bouife in America.
Mrs. Oates-I think IL was 10 1873.
Reporter-Where?
Mrs. Oates-At the Olympic Theatre,
New York.
Reporter-What was the opera?
Mrs. OAtes-"La File de Madame An.
got" Aimee produced it the same night
at Broadway Theatre.
Reporter-Do you not find that your
Interpretation OF opera boutfs has aSsiat-
ed in setting aside the prejudices Of a
great many!
Mrs. Oa,es-Yes, decidedly so. We
could not bring out the French idea Of
many Of the plots without seriously effect.
ing our success.
Reporter-Do you consider that 1t re.
quires as much musical talent to produce
4 good opera boufie singer a. one who
follows those operas Of n more classical
order?
Mrs. Oates-It requires good dramatic
as we'll as good musical powers, but Of
course, not 80 much cultivation rs in
operas Of higher order.
Reporter-ls this style Of comic opera
gaining popularity, or ia il likely after a
time TO lose ii, hold and people become
tired Of III
Mrs, Oates-I think II has increased in
popular favor and will continue. Why,
people are only Just beginning to learn
the pleasure experienced In listening Ia
3 good opera boutfe we'll given. Drama
Is too heavy. II sends one home feeling
heart alex, while opera bouffe drives away
low spirits and ia sure to make one happy,
Reporter-What Is your opinion Of
the future OF opera boufFe?
Mrs. Oatea-ls future ptopsects are
most excellent. know OF nothing, In
the amusement line, destined 10 have i
more succesinl aud lasting future.
Reporter-Which Of the operas in your
extensive repertoire do you consider the
best, and which one seems to be general
layorite with the public?
Mira. 0ates-Well, NJ first "Aladame
Angot" was the most popular, bnt "Glro.
e.Giroaa" has superseded il. The
"Graud Duchess" always draws, proba
bly, because 1t is better known by mos
people than any Of the others.
Reporter-hAve you any iovoritep
Mrs. 0ales-Yes, "Giroae.G irofA"
like as we'll as any. Still, they are al
pleasing to me.
Reporter-How does lhia season com
pare with previous oues with your com
Mrs. oales-vsry we'll indeed, and i
will turn out much better. Ny compa.
ny il the best I have ever had, and il o
course constantly improving the Longer
they sing together. lconsider mine one
Of the best compaies that ever travelled
Reporter--Did the hard times last sea
son affect the busines OF comic opera Il
any great extent!
Mrs, oates-My worst obstacle las
season was bad management. We fel
the hard times very little.
Reporter-What Is the expense 0
maintaining your compSnyg
Mrs. oates-Well, Il will average s.,
| 500 4 week.
Rsporter-HoW Long IL your seasonS
Mra. oatea-It will extend into July.