Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-05
himself most handsomely, exhibiting his
best and sweetest singing.

himself most handsomely, exhibiting his
best and sweetest singing.
MIR. II. c. WILTON.
That Mr.. Wilton possesses musical
ability there is no question. Probably
with less experience in that line than any
of the tenors who assisted in the opera,
his rendition of captain COrooran' was
highly creditable. He gave the music of
the part in Il spirited manner, showing
perfect smoothness o~fvoice and trueness
OF tone. The most difficult point to ac-
complish well in amateur productions is
to appear on the stage dramatically easy
and natural, with bnt little practice and
when that accomplishment is not exactly
attained by the amateur, the easiest thing
in the world for the looker-on to do is to
make harsh criticisms, much easier than
to take the same roll and render it better.
Take it all in all, Mr.. Wilton's captain
Corcoran" was most creditably rendered,
both unsteady and dramatically.
MR.. AID. REFS.
This gentleman ranks high among our
best amateurs, and has won encomiums,
on several occasions, from our most criti-
cal audiences. Possessing Il finely culti-
vuted, low baritone voice, his rendition of
the 'Boatswain' was most excellent. In
deed, Mr.. Refs is necessary to all amateur
musical productions given in Memphis.
especially of opera, which fact is itself
one Of the greatest compliments that can
be paid.
MR.. IKE PETERS.
Mr.. Peters also has a fine, rich baritone
voice, which fell unsteady pleasant upon
the ear, in his rendition Of Dick Dead
eye. His dramatic efforts deserve much
praise, for the part is one difficult to por-
tray at the hands of an amateur. MANY
professionals would have made a less in
teresting i-mpersonation than Mr.. Peters.
to whom the whole business of the opera
was entirely new and strange.
MR.. Won GUNDEL.
Splendidly cultivated, the voice of Mr..
Won Gundel invariably c~aptivates when
he appears in baritone parts. While sus-
tanning no part of particular Importance
IN Pinafore, except in chOruses. he took
the license of introducing the celebrated
song and chorus entitled "Nancy Lee" a
production not less popular than the cap
tivating music of Pinafore itself. In this
Mr.. Won Gundel made a most happy hit.
Our people have frequently been made
the recipients of his musical favors, and al
ways appreciate them.
MR.. JAMES KIRKLAND,
we cannot close these notices Of the
very clever amateurs who made Pinafore
such a wonderful success without attempt-
ing a deserved tribute to the musical geni-
US, taste and untiring labor Of Mr.. James
Kirkland, who trained and directed the
vocal business of this delightful little
opera. 1t is to his experience and interest
IN such matters that everything worked
50 smoothly and effectively and it is to
his careful labor that those e~ntrancinp
choruses were given with an effect worthy
OF any professionals now before the Amer
lean public, and which both astonished
and delighted our people. Nc communitv
can claim an amateur of finer ability than
MIR. Kirkland, or one who more cheerfullv
enters into the preparation of such musi-
cal events as that Of Thursday and Friday
nights last. We hope to see placed on the
stage here at no distant day, under the
direction Of Mr.. Kirkland and Professor
Emile Levy, the thorough musician and
pianist, that beautiful opera entitled, The
Chimes of. Normandy, with thevery same
amateur talent which appeared in Pima
fore in the cast. II would prove an in
mense success.
In conclusion, we are confident that
both the amateur dramatic and musical
talent Of Memphis cannot be egcelled in
any place in the Mississippi Valley which
has a population anywhere rear our own
Inc we have reason to congratulate our
selves IN the fact,