Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-16
BELLS OF C0RNEVJLLE,
A NEW OPERA BY THE LYRICS,
To be Given Next Month-The Plot OF the
Opera-The Cast Of Characters
and Some Remarks ofthe
Performers.

Since its highly successful rendition
of "Pinafore," two years ago, little or
nothing has been heard ef the Lyric
Opera Company, OF this city. Now,
however, the promise is given that ere
long the company will present itself to
the public in a new and more difficult
role. On Thursday evening REGISTER
news gatherer by request, dropped into
Mozart Hall, while a rehearsal was in
progress. The first few notes told him
that the beautiful, opera, "The Bells OF
Corneville," Was in hand, and he learn
ed that il was the intention OF the Lyrics
h produce the little gem, some time in
May.
The BELLS OF Bonneville" or American
edit on OF the "Chimes OF Normandy" is
one OF the brightest and most sparkling
of comic operas, Astounding in beautiful
solos, duets, trios and quartets, and
ringing choruses. The plot may be
briefly stated as follows: Henri, Mar
auis de Bonneville, who has been since
childhood, owing to civil war, an exile,
returns to his ancestral home on the oc.
casion OF the great annual fairs which is
being celebrated in the village that re-
ceives its name from his chateau. 1t is
one OF the old fashioned Norman viii
lagos OF the Seventeenth century.
In the first act, the curtain rises upon
an assemblage OF village gossips, discuss.
ing scandal and small talk. Serpolette Ia
character which partakes oil the nature
OF Rdnchon and BoulOtie) is the topic OF
conversation among the village bellies.
She comes in just in time to turn the
tables on the others, and changes their
taunts into expressions OF rage. Gas
pard, an old miser, wishes to marry his
niece, Germaine, to the principal magis'
trate OF the district, the BdiM. This ar.
rangement does not suit Germdins, who
desires to take her love affairs into her
own hands; nor does it suit young
fisherman named Jean Grenicl,etLr, who
pretends that he has saved her life from
drowning upon certain occasion. 10
escape from the power OF old Gdspdrd,
Germaine takes advantage Of the privi-
leges of the fair Ia similar scene to that
in Martha, and becomes the servant
of de Corn1iHs. Her example Is fol-
lowed by Grenichcur and STpOlette.
The second act is taken up with the
supernatural visitors who have so long
made the Castle OF Bonneville an object
OF dread. Henri determines to find out
the real character OF these ghostly ap-
pearances, and for this purpose
Greniche,u conceals himself in suit OF
armor in the chateau; he discovers that
is all the work OF old Gdspard, who has
concealed his treasures in the castle,
and takes this means OF frightening peo.
pie away. The discovery drives Gdspard
crazy, especially when he hears the bells
of the chateau ringing for the first time,
since the flight of the old Marquis.
The third act represents the grand
fete given in honor OF the return OF
Henri to his ancestral home. Serpotette
arrives as a Warehouses, as some pa
pers, found in the chateau, indicate that
she is the lost heiress. The miser, how.
ever, RECEIVERS his reason and shows that
Germaine is the true Marchioness. A
love duet between her and Henri, and
the reconciliation OF all parties, bring
the romantic story to close.
The Lyrics have cast the characters as
follows:
serpolette, the Good for Nothing Soprano
Mrs. Fannie Hornbrook, Phiiadeiphis.
Germaine, the Lost Marchioness -MeZzo-soprano
Mrs. c. W. EofT
Gertrude S.sbne Village Maid Mis- Mis- A Aila h GSs
Maneits ems, Soprani. Miss Emma Nichols
Suzanne Miss Sallic Roemer
Henri de Bonneville Baritone
Mr.. c. Y. Lucas.
Jean Grenicheux, a Fisherman. .".......--T Tenor
Mr.
GaSpard Miser.... .... Bars
Mr.. Joseph Hall.
Mr.. W. b. Howell.
Mr.. ID. 8. Geyer.
Mr.. Will Day.
Mr.. Joseph schsrkof.
The most OF these ladies and gentle
men require no introduction at our
hands. Mrs. Eugene Hornbrook, nee
Miss Fannie McBurnie, has q voice
whose volume and sweetness is well
remembered by all who have ever heard
it. She will doubtless I'll the difficult
part OF Serpolette 10 nature.
Mrs. Eof's vocal powers are known
to every one. Her full, rich mezzo-
soprano voice has made her one OF the
most popular singers in the city. The
pleasing part OF Germdine suits her ex-
actly.
Miss Annie Hess has never, We be.
lieve, been heard in public, but she has
a pure, sweet voice and will succeed.
Misses Ella House and Emma Nichols
have both been heard with pleasure at
Madame Saehse's soirees. Miss Sallie
Roemer will make a graceful, pretty
Suzanne, though a debmdnte. She is a
younger sister OF Mrs. Eof.
Messrs. Lucas and Arkle are too well
known to require sught but mention,
and Mr.. Halls admirable rendition OF
"Dick Deadeye" is remembered by all.
Messrs. Howell, Day and Geyer are
perfectly known through their connec-
ton with church choirs, having been
frequently heard, respectively, in the
choirs OF the First church, st. Matthews,
and the Fourth street church.
The rehearsal OF Thursday night was
scarcely ready for an intelligent criti.
cism, though it could be seen the solo
parts have been brought to an advanced
stage of perfection. In three or four
weeks all will be ready, and we will be
able to say just what the opera will be.
1t is the present intention to present it
in May and it will be given with new
scenery, costumes, stage effects and full
orchestral accompaniment. The must.
cal and dramatic talent is there, and
we expect a most pleasing presentation
OF the "Bells OF Bonneville"
Mr.. CHRIS SIKBKE, always on the alert
for the accommodation OF the public,
has bottled the new "Erlsnger Beer"
manufactured by the Nail City Brewing
Company. Give him a call. See card
in another column.
In all Colors,
Brocade Silks at Blum's.
BoILs pimples, and all blood diseases
are cured by "Dr. Lindsey's Blood
Seacher." Sold by all druggists