The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-12-16
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49, N#HAHHaA
Mr. a. B, Main, we'll known as o caterer to
the public taste in comic opera, honored
Wheeling once more last night Asa rule,
his operas notably Fatinitza and BoCcsccio,
have been successes, but Donna Jusnita was
not 50 conspicuous in this line, As has
always been noted, the choruses were good,
full and strong, well trained and well bal
anced, but the solo parts, in many instances,
fell short Of what the public had right to
expect Miss Flora Barry in the leading role
was aclever, versatile and interesting actress
but not much Of o vocalist, and so with most
OF the Others, Their histrionic talent seemed
developed at the expense Of their voices,
which Is execrable in opera, Mr.. Van Hou'
ton was an exception TO this rule, Us his act
ing and VocaliZation were both good, Miss
Marie Perry's "Petrita" was an entire
failure, as she seemed TO be suffering from o
chronic state OF stage fright and forgot the
few lines which fell 10 her part This,
by the way, was her first appearance IN the
part, so she was in part exeusable; OF the
chorus, however, much may be said In praise
as above. The feminine portion was COM
posed OF the owners Of good voices and good
shapes, the latter JiHe quo IgOR IN modern
comic opera.
The argument OF Donna Juanitan is very
simple, During the PeninGular campaign OF
1895, Rene Dufaure, French cadet, is sent
into the Spanish town OF San Sebastian, Us q
SPY, by General Pichegru. Rene has been In
disgrace in consequence Of having disguised
himself as girl, Donna JuRnita, In which
guise he made hot love to his Colonel,
Arrived at San Sebastian in the gulse OF q
muleteer, he discovers his brother, Castor, a
prisoner 10 the English garrison be relates
his love making to him and Is overheard by
PetrtO, GaStOn's sweetheart, who, blinded
by jealousy, denounces Rene as q woman,
named Donna Juunita. Rene gracefully &C
cepts the situation, becomes the guest Of the
Alcalde and Is warmly wooed by this Official
and the English Commander, Colonel Doug
las. The Alcaldes wife, besides having u
passion for the ballet and fandango, belongs
10 on anti-Republican conspiracy, in the in
terest OF the English. Donna uanitR joins this
band, Is made It's President and learns
its secrets A body OF fifty English soldiery,
ambushGd without the town. Is thus discover
ed, captured and French soldiery substituted.
In the guise OF "Pilgrims OF Bscayo," they
are admitted to the garrison, and Of the pro-
per moment Rene Is TO unmask this battery
and capture the town. On the day OF the
"Childrens Festival when old people for
the nOnce become children In manner and
costume, and when the garrison Is of It's
guard, Rene suddenly changes from the fair
Donna to French cadet, and at the head OF
his fifty men, assisted by CASTOR and the
notary, seize the town and eleYates the Trl-
color, thus winning his lieutenants epaulets
from General Plchegru,
Many OF the incidents arc most laughable,
notably the rival efforts at gallantry Of Cen
eral Douglas and the Alcalde and the con.
splrators session. In the latter, Rene, still
In disguise as JuAnita, embraces the oppor.
tunty to bestow sisters kiss upon tho red
lips OF his pretty eo.conspiratorS, to the envy
Of his (her) two adOrers and doubtless many
Of the audience. The antics OF the Alcalde's
bOlero dancing wife are also.oxtremely anus
ing
The opera abounds In sparkling music and
interesting situations and would have been
exceedingly enjoyable, but for the pOorneSs
Of several OF the solo parts, In which dis
elimination would be useless,