Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
The Hess Opera Company.

The performance of Era DiavolO' by
the Hess company yesterday afternoon
was, unsteady considered, the best of the
season, but decidedly the worst from dra-
matte standpoint. Miss Abbie Darlington,
who assumed the role of Zeriina, has fine
vocal organ, well cultivated and artistical-
ly employed, but her physical ponderosity
units her for such a character. and she is
but an Indifferent actress. Her singing.
however, deserved all, and more than all,
the applause it received. Mr.. Wilkie as
Diavolo sang we'll. Messrs. Peakes and
Tams did not make all of the brigands of
which the roles arc capable. though what
they did was good. The Lorenzo of Mr.
Appleby, was about as bad, both unsteady
and dramatically, as it could be. With
the exception of the conclusion of the first
act the chorus did rather Indifferent work.
THE MAsCoTrE.
In the evening the company presented
1.-The Mascotte'' to very large audience.
The opera, with its light but lively and
taking airs, is familiar to St. Paul audi
ences, which has had it in all manner of
forms. good, bad and Indifferent. The
presentation last evening was of that char
acter, good, bad and Indifferent. In the
matter of dressing the opera was
presented in better style than
ever before in our city, and two or
three of the leading roles were in many
respects entitled to the same commenda
ton. For instance, the Lorenzo, Prince
of Denmark" by Henry G. Peakes, was, as
all he has done during this and other en-
gagements in this city, of a high
order of merit, both in acting and singing.
Another fine representation was the Pip
pc, Shepherd" by Mark Smith. Miss ST.
Quinten as ''Bettina." ''The Mascotte"
was also most admirable representation,
without doubt the best she has given DUR
ing the engagement. Her solos and
duets, with Mark Smith, were all viyaci-
ously and cOnscientiously rendered, and re-
ceived. as they deserved, enthusiastic
recognition. In short, the performance, as
whole, was pleasing, and helped to
round up the good impression made by
the company iii previous presentations.
Hennaa Thompson ia Joshua Ehitc0ni5.
For the coming week, though not among
the novelties, having been seen here sever
the American comedy drama of Joshua
Whitcomb is always hailed with delight.
The play has held the stage for more than
dozen years, and still continues to attract
delighted audiences in every city of the
United States. Mr.. Thompson's represen-
tation of the gooa-hearted, whole-souled,
plucky, sympathetic New England farmer
is one of the finest creations of the stage
Without the slightest attempt at the bonn
bast or clap-traps which abound in so many
of the sensational dramas of the day, he
produces the greatest effect by his simple,
natural acting, and that artistic self
restraint which never over-does, but pro-
duces in the spectator the impression
of reserved strength. One must
have lived among the New Hamp-
shire farmers at home, or seen
New England countryman suddenly
transferred to that life in large city
which SO strongly contrasts with the SIM
pie homeliness of his own, to appreciate
thoroughly the high histrionic art, which
seems SO entirely artless, displayed by Nj
Thorn pson. In BUSINESS of conception,
and of artistic completeness of execution,
his personation of Joshua Whitcomb can
hardly be rivalled. Effects which inferior
actors seek to obtain by exaggerated bonn
bast in striking situations. he produces
with far more real power over the sym
pathies of his audience. by the most deli
cate touches of genuine humor and deep
pathos.
The company is one which bears witness
to Mr.. Thompsen's good judgment in its
selection, and forms fitting background
to the central figure.