Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-14
"MEFISTOFELE.'


SONIA Grand Operatic Concert Sunday
Evening.
The Strakosch- Hess opera season in st.
Paul closed last evening with the largest au-
Hence of the week, large delegations having
come from Saltwater and Minneapolis. The
attraction was the grand opera OF "Meflsio
fele" by Boito, and to pronounce it splendid
success is to express the pleasure of ali who
heard it in mild form. The opera is founded
on Goetlie's romantic poem of "Faust," the
plot of which is familiar to every reader. II
vas written before Gounod's Faust" but
the success of that master work, which was
fortunate enough to secure the first presenta
ton, prevented its performance until few
years ago. 1t is different in neatly every re-
svect from its more familiar competitor for
public favor, and must he pronounced greatly
.uperior in almost every feature. Gounod
made Marguerite the central figure; BoitO has
invested Mephisto and Faust with the greatest
Prominence, and instead of closing with the
lea'h If Marguerite has carried the opera to
is legitimate conclusion, the death of Faust.
The music of The two operas is totally differ
nj, and while much of the exquisite music o.
JIounod is missing, it is more than made up
n strong dramatic Effects, superb orchestra
ton and powerful concerted passages, all OF
hem replete with the most enhancing music.
From first to last the action is strong both
dramatically and unsteady.
The opera was presented last night in a
manner that reflects the greatest credit upon
The company, aud proves it to be capable OF
,rot erly presenting he most difficult cOmpo-
tions in the entire repertoire of grand opera.
The cast embraced tie following artists in the
oes indicated:
st Part. I'd Part.
Nargherta Miss Darlington. Helen of Troy
,larla ..... Miss Barton.... ...... Pantalis
aust. ...... Mr. lyron. ......... Faust
'"fiStofe'e.. Mr.. Comfy. Metistofele
Wagner. So. Mr.. Tllla ......... ....... Nero
That all acquitted themselves with ability
and 10 The satisfaction of the audience was
evidenced by the loud applause and frequent
recalls that each received, and by the further
fact that though the midnight hour was near
ly reached before the close, not
a soul left the house. Miss Darlington,
though new to st. Paul audiences,
found no difficulty in asserting her right TO "a
high place IN their regard as an accomplished
artistic and delightful, pleasing singer. Her
voice is much OF the same quality as that OF
Torrian, though her method is different. A
iul, round, sympathetic tone and thorough
command of the voice from the highest to the
lowest soprano register are possessed by her,
TO which is added a careful attention to the
dramatic requirements of the role of Mar
guerite. Her quartette in the second act was
most panstaking performance, and elected
hearty applause. The duet with Faust in the
prison in the third act was also an artistic
rendition, full of soulful melody, and her vocal
action in the death scene established her
in the hearts of the audience. The open
ng duet in the fourth act, when she appears rs
Helen of Troy, was IN exquisite bit of melody,
" hich received a double recall. Miss Barton,
in the roles of Marta and Pantalis, was very
satisfying second to Miss Darlington. If any
doubts had existed as to the artistic excellence
of Mr.. George A. Comfy, they were removed
NY his mastery rendition of the extremely ex-
acting role of Mephistopheles. He has mag
nficent bass voice of extraordinary power
great compass and perfect cultivation. He
sang his lines il such manner as to win the
Simcerest plaudts of his auditors. The GUe in
The prologue was superb rendering of one OF
the grandest of bass solos, while his scenes
with Faust all displayed not only the perfection
Of art but degree of talent possessed by no rival
on the lyric stage in America. Mr.. Byron
surprised the audience by an almost faultlesS
PRESERVATION of Faust His voice, a tenor of
excellent robusto quality, was handled with ex-
cellent discrimination, aud proved his capa-
city for such work as no tenor in the country
need be ashamed of. The orchestra, from
which much was demanded by the score,
proved itself capable of fulfilling the require
ments of the most exacting, and the chorus
was also the strongest and best of the sea-
son.
The opera in its entirety, was by all odds
the best ever seen in st. Paul, whether consid-
cred as musical composition or in the man
ner in which it was presented. 1t would have
been difficult to find more perfect cast
voices better adopted to the characters or
more thoroughly we'll trained and
harmonious. There was not
weak situation in the score, musically or dra-
maiically considered, and the most critical
could scarcely find flaw in the vocal Or in
strumental thinning of the masters work. Ii
will be many days before the st. Paul public
will be again favored with as mastery rem
derng of grand opera, and the public is in
debted especially to Manager Davidson for so
rare privilege.
THE MATINEE.
The matinee performance of "The Bohemian
Girl" differed but little from previous rendi.
tons of the same familiar opera. Miss Car
rim ton made an acceptable though not bril-
liant airline, and Mr. Hall was excellent in the
rsle of Arnheim. The other characters were
not noticeable for their excellence.
THE MINNEAPOLIS SEASON
opens this evening with civilian TELL" in
the repertoire of the company. The special
opera trains will leave this city at o'clock P.
NJ, returning at the close of the opera.
large number of our citizens will avail them
selves of the opportunity Of seeing this pro-
duction.
EASTER SUNDAY CONCERT.
Before the opera company leaves this region
it will give grand operate concert on Sun,
day evening next, in which all the leading ar
fists will participate. The official announce
ment of the entertainment, which will be the
greatest event of the season, will be found
elsewhere In the GLOBE.
job Lot of Turkish Towels
From 25c to Csc each. These Towels are worth
fully SOC to $125 There are about twenty
dozen of these Towels, and they will soon be
gone. w. B. RowELL & Co.,
6S Wabashaw street, Sherman Block.
Carloads of New Goods
This week at Esterley & Heinemann'A