The daily gazette., 1879-11-22
Inducements.

THE PERFORMANCE LAST EVENING.
The performance of the "Chimes of
Normandy" at the Opera House last
evening, was greeted by good audience,
but what was missing in the attendance
was made up in ent, usiasm.
The opera is one that recommends it.
self to an audience on account Of lis
light, sparkling music and pleasant situ-
a ions. There are number of very
pretty solo, duets aud triI s in the opera
that are arranged throughout tat the
audience is kept in a pleasant frame of
mind during the entire performance.
Ii one listens ntively he will detect
familiar rs from other operas {; in fact
the "Chimes OF Normandy" is very near
ly composed of airs from other operas,
although the lines are d flrrcnt. The
music IS light, aud is Therefore easily
understood by all who ever heard
| music.
The opera is simple in pl,t at.d is de-
| vel0ped In tha first act. IL Is simply
scene at COrnevilIe, france, and shows
a number Of village maidens and yeo-
men in their customary pur vi S. While
they are en- saged in informing one an
other Of various things t0at are trans
| phuS III tuc NilldBc tntlt cuteio upoh
the scenes young man who announces
that lie is traveller from America, but
who in the end turns out to be Henri,
the Marquis of Corneville. Near the
village Is large Chateau, which has
been cl sed for years, and said TO be
haunted by the villagels. At this cha
teau Gaspard, miser, is wont to visit
nightly for the purpose of counting his
boarded gold, aud his visits give rise to
the rumor that the place is haunted.
OF this fact the stranger is informed,
and upon bearing this story he an
nounces his determination Of visiting
the chateau. He engages nun ber of
the villagers, as attendants, and the
night of his return he visits the castle,
and after arranging all details, he lays
in walt for the ghos.y visitor. He has
not long to wait. as he Is soon rewarded
by discovering Gaspari, counting his
ho ,rded gold. The chimes ring out the
announcement of the return Of the
heir to the estate, and this death knell
to the hopes OF the miser sets him crazy.
However, the opera ends with all hap
ny.
The company that presented the opera
last evening, was, taken throughout, the
best that has been here for long time.
The choruses wece full a.d well sung.
The principal characters were assumed
by those who do not lay claims to being
prima donnas, but who proved themselves
abundantly able to sing music at any
opera. Miss Blanche Chapman, as Ser
polette, proved herself to be not only a
good singer but an actress as well. She
has piquancy about her that is bound
to keep an audience in sympathy with
her from the time she enters upon the
stage until she makes her exit. she has
good voice, and what is better, knows
how to use it.
, Miss LIZZIE Annandale, as GeYmdine,
| was also a success. This lady has an
exquisite voice, and so great is her COM
mand over it that one listens attentively
while she is singing She is also good
actress, aud, during the evening, was
frequently and heartily applauded.
Mr.. George Denbam, as Gdspard, the
miser, added fresh iaurels to his alread y
well established reputation in this city
as an actor and singer. HIS acting in
the second act was mastery, and at the
close of the act when he is discovered
counting his gold in the Chateau, and
, hears the chimes ringing out the return
of the heir, the expression of his face
was a complete study; in fact it proved
that Mr.. Denham is an actor of n,
mean ability. At the conclusion of the
, act he was called before the curtain. Mr..
L. w. Hoff, as Jean, gave evidence of a
, good tenor voice, but he needs to culti-
vate 1t somewhat. His enunciation is
, not distinc: enough, and it would prove
better if he would only raise it to high
er key. Mr.. McCollin, as Henri, the
Marquis of Corneville, delighted the
audience with his rich voice. The other
characters were we'll sustained by COM
petent actors and singers; in fact the
opera has been placed in the hands of q
, company that Mr.. Ford may well feel
proud of.
This afternoon they will give a matt
nee, the "Chimes of Normandy" beins
the attraction. They will close theii
engagement this evening with the pro-
duction of Brown and SullvAn's opera
''The Sorcerer."
"KERRY cow"
On Monday evening next, Josepl
Murphy will appear In his great special
. | ty-"Kerry Cow" Mr.. Murphy ha.
, been performing, for the past week, a
the Arch Street Theatre, PhilaIelphia
5 to large and enthusiastic audiences. Ill
will bring his own scenery with him
lie should be created with large audi
encs