Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-21
THE OPERA.
Emma Abbott and the Hess
Grand Opera Comparative
Pleasing Performances.

Emma Abbott and the Hess
Grand Opera Comparative
Pleasing Performances.
Last week was a gala one for the
lovers of music, there having been no
less than FIVE performances in the six
DAYS. Tickle as our people are in amuse-
ments, they are certainly fond OF music,
and TO each of these performances sent
good audience.
"THE CHIMES OF NORMANDY.
A good sized gathering, made up
mostly of ladies, listened TO the rendi-
ton Of this beautifully pleasing little
opera, and were well satisfied, albeit
Miss Abbott did not appear. While 1t
is made up OF beautiful melodies, this
opera is quite simple, and may readily be
followed and understood without a libret-
TO. An old Norman chateau, long I'M
tenanted and supposed TO be haunted, Is
the principal theatre of incidents. 1t
has been deserted by its owner for
many wears, and it is believed that
upon his return the chimes VIII
sound from the long silent belfry. The
owner returns, though in disguise, and
discovers that an old miser, who has
possession of valuable papers and some
gold belonging to it, has been in the
habit of illuminating the chateau and
playing ghost to keep away the super
stitious villagers. A man is placed in
an old suit of armor and discovers the
trick. and while the miser is gloating
over the gold, he is interrupted by the
sudden wild changing OF the bells, when
the owner makes his appearance. Some
papers are found from which it seems
that an airy village girl is transformed
into a marchioness, but the miser, who
has become insane, afterward produces
another establishing the right to this
title of young girl supposed to have
been his niece. Various other incidents
are interviewer, making up beautiful
and attractive whole. The bright cos
tunes with the many colored sashes
and short dresses add to the effect.
Miss Montague as MignOnette, at first
supposed TO be the marchioness, has
SOPRANO voice of considerable purity and
compass, though has but little opportu-
nitv of exhibiting it. She has fine
form and an airy piquant manner that
was very taking. Miss Seguin as Ger
maine, the real marchioness, was most
pleasing. Her voice is noble central.
| 10. sweet and full, while her rendition oil
the character was faultless. OF the
male performers, Mr.. Ryse as Gaspdrd,
the miser, was worthy OF special men
! ton. HetoOk difficult role to sustain
and did il well. Mr.. Turner as Robin
Moore, is a vocalist of fair ability, and in
| two duets with Miss Seguin was warmly
applauded. The rest of the cast was OF
average worth.
"FAUsT."
The audience that gathered to hear
GuonOd's masterpiece, the beautiful and
difficult Faust" was one, compliment
tarv TO Miss Abbott and creditable to
the city, being made up OF the most oil
Wheeling's taste and refinement
The argument of the opera is as fol-
lows: Satan has received power from
the Almighty to tempt Faust, learned
and worthy doctor of Germany, into
self BETRAYAL. Faust, who is old and
| suffering, is about to take poison, when
| his hand is stayed by the songs OF
villagers and hay-makers passing before
his window. In his despair he calls
upon the King OF the Internal regions,
and, in flash OF sulphurous fire, that
worthy appears before him in the form
of Mephistopheles, a handsome
fiend, and proposes a contract with
Faust, the terms OF which are:
lie is to make Faust young and hand
some and to serve him during his life,
after which he is to get his soul. Faust
wavers, when Mephistopheles causes TO
appear a vision of the beautiful
Marguerite, which quickly brings his
signature To the contract. He then be-
comes Young and handsome and his
new life begins. The evil spirit con-
ducts him to the city where Marguerite
lives, the second act opening upon a
tavern scene where body OF troops,
about to leave for the war are taking a
final cup and singing a farewell song
Valentine, brother of Marguerite, is to
90 with the rest, and commits his sister
TO the care of Siebel, who is timidly in
love with her. MephistOpheles appears
and asks leave to join the song, which
being accorded he sings the Song OF
the Golden Calf" Disliking the wine
they give him, he causes first wine then
fire TO come from painting of barrel.
While all are astonished, he makes sever
al augurs, predicting a waiting swOr for
Valentine, and for Siebel, that all he
touches shall wither. The former draws
his sword and advances upon Mephisto-
uheleS, who surrounds himself with q
magic circle drawn with his rapier, and
causes the sword of the other TO break
off short. Recognizing the presence OF
evil, Valentine, followed by the rest,
present the sacred sign of the cross on
their swords, at which the iiend trem-
bles and covers, recovering when they
leave him. Faust here appears, and
meeting Marguerite, seeks her acquain-
lance, but without success.
The next act discovers Siebel gather
ing nosegay for Marguerite, but the
angury of the fiend has proved true, and
all he touches withers. The thought &C.
ours to dip his fingers in holy water,
which he does, and the spell being
dissolved, he finished his bouquet,
placed il on a garden chair and retires.
Faust and Mephistopheles appear, and
the former, feeling remorseful, wishes
to abandon his evil object, but is spurred
on by the fend, who produces casket
of Jewels and places it by Siebel's
present. Faust sings a love-lorn sere-
made and they retire. Marguerite comes
in and seating herself at her spinning
wheel, sings the beautiful melody liking
of Thule" Seeing the flowers she
speaks touchingly Of Siebel's kindness,
when the jewels meet her sight. In in
nocent vanity she tries them on, admir-