Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-13
"CARMEN,"

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the Stralxosch-Hess Company---"Bohe-
mian Grip and "Mefistofcle" To-Day.
The Opera house was again crowded last
evening, the attraction being Bizet's charm.
ing opera Carmen" with Miss Laura Schir.
mer in the title role and Mile Torriani as
Michaela. The opera loses something of its
beauty by its translation into the English Ian.
guage, but still retains the sparkle and piqu.
ancy of the original tongue in a greater de-
gree than could have been expected. Carmen,
saucy, cOquetlsh, impudent, inconstant as the
wind, and full of the fire of the gipsy nature,
was admirably acted by Miss schirmer. She
has pleasing presence, many charms of per.
son, and dressed the part with great taste,
her costumes being both rich and appropriate.
She is q charming actress and particularly
adapted to arole calling for display of Vi
vacity and abandon, and has evidently studied
the character to good purpose, for, exacting
though the personation is, she filled its every
requirement.. Her voice does not possess
very wide range, but is well schooled and in
the meZzo-soprano tones exceedingly musical.
Her first solo, "Ah Love-" was expressively
rendered, though the music does not permit of
brilliant execution. The scene with Jose ID
the first act in which she captivates his heart,
was entertainingly fresh and piquant, and her
singing of "Near by the Ramparts' was bright
and sparkling. The opening scene of the sec
ond act when Garments surrounded with her
gypsy companions in the tavern and sings
merry refrain, accompanied by tambourines
and castinets, was beautifully placed upon the
stage, and Miss Schirmer won loud applause
for her vocal efforts. The following
acting and singing in which she
executed a dance, playing on the
castlnets, was gracefully performed and elicted
hearty encore. She also appeared to splen-
did advantage in the quintette in the same act
q scene that reminds one forcibly Of the duet
between Beppo and Giuseppe in Fra d.
avolo," and was repeated in response to an
encore. Her acting and singing in the cave
scene in the third act, where the
cards reveal her fate, were both worthy of the
highest praise, and her solo, Pictures
spades grave ~ was an admirable piece of
vocalization. The last scene when she meets
her fate at the hands of her discarded lover
Jose was intensely dramatic. Her entire de
lineation of the character, while not great, was
highly acceptable, and stamps her as lyric
artist of great capacity. M'llN Torriani sang
the secondary role of Mlchaela with excellent
effect. Her duet with Jose in the first act
gave her opportunity for displaying the ex-
cellent texture of her voice, which
she improved to the full. That
part of it "My Home in Yonder Valley"
evoked q nearly encore III IUc LQlTu &CG uer
solo, II Try Not to Owp,n was rich speci-
men of delicious melody, displaying the full,
round quality of the artiste's voice, as well
as it's sympathetic quality and perfect modu-
litlon. The audience only regretted that her
lanes were 80 few. The tenor of Mr.. Talbot
was fair on the upper register, but decidedly
uneven. He was awkward in his gesticula-
tions, and several times appeared to have for
gotten his lines. His solos were well sung,
however, and received deserved recognition.
Mr.. Gottschalk was a very creditable Es-
camille, and executed the toreador song with
much spirit and in excellent voice. He, too,
was obliged to respond to an encore. Messrs.
Tilla and Howard made very fantastic snug
glers and added greatly tosthe enjoyment of
the scenes in which they took part. The
chorus was fair and the Instrumentation OF
the orchestra faultless.
The mounting of the opera was appropriate
and elegant considering the disadvantages pre-
sented. 1t was costumed appropriately, neatly
and richly.
To-day will close the season at st. Paul At
the matinee 1.-THE Bohemian Grip will be pre-
sented with Miss Schirmer as airline, Miss Ar
conc as the Gipsy Queen, Mr.. Hall as Count
Arnhem and other strong characters. In the
evening, "Mefistofele" will be placed before
the public, with Miss .Abbie Darlington, Miss
Sarah Barton, and Messrs. Comfy, Byron and
others in the cast. Both performances Will,
without question, be artistic and every way
worthy OF large patronage.