Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-05
Gear and zimmerman,

The performance OF this beautiful opera
by the musical division of the German
society on last Sunday evening, was an
event of unusual excellence, deserving a
more than passing notice, and it is with
genuine pleasure that more extended
reference is made in these columns. In
doing this, we shall not attempt any dis
QUESTION on the merits of the composition,
which bears the approving plaudits of
generations of music loving people of
every nationality and which has become
standard work and special object of imi-
tation in and of TIE Lortzing
school Or style Of music.
It is of the performers themselves, who
have for months contributed their spare
time and close application to the proper
study of this work, We desire to say q
word and to thank them, individually and
collectively, for the superior manner in
which they acquitted themselves, fully re-
alizing the expectations of thei- patrons
and friends, who turned oat in such great
numbers that standing room was at dis
count and filing the roomy house to its ut
most capacity. The prominent feature of
the performance taken rs a whole, was the
rendition of the choruses, both male and
mixed, and herein was observable the Ia
borious and conscientious part taken by
Prof. Richard Stempf, the energetic di-ec-
tor of the society. It must
be remembered that the material
at his disposal was non-professional and
largely crude, requiring no simple rehears-
ais but punctilious drilling and downright
hard work. The professor deserves great
commendation. The chorus contains many
new, clear and good voices, and entered
into the spirit of the work with such vim
and vi gor that their work, while certainly
not faultless, was far from anateurish?
Mr.. Albert Scheffer again surprised his
friends by his conception Of the part of
Peter the Shipwright, investing the char
acter with most happy blending of court
ly grace and good humored urban
ity, man, who is easily accessible of ap-
proach by his fellow workmen, yet
hedged about with an unmistakable air OF
superiority, that repels all undue familiari-
ty- Mr.. Scheffer, while not quite in as
SOOu VOIC0 DIS Ou 1OIuleI OCCASIONS, richly
made up for such involuntary defect. By
his really fine play of mier and gesture,
being cool, calm, self-coIlected and s'every
! inch king"
Mr.. j. Giesen, as the pompous and
vain-glorions kurgomaster, seemed also
slightly indisposed in voice, bat as usual,
| his makeup, mannerisn and acting was
good, while his vocal work in the concert
ed pieces was highly conlmendable.
| Mr.. Frank Werner, in the part of Ivanow.
the Russian deserter and shipwright. dc :
serves, perhaps, the greatest NEED of
praise for his singing, which was clear,
vigorous and pleasing, while his concep-
ton of the jealous, hot-headed and vet
docile lover, was very good indeed.
| Miss Annie Schonarth, who assumed for
the first time character OF great respon-
sibility, in the part of Marie, surmounted
| all difficulties in a most surprising man
ner. Possessing q voice of considerable
power and fenbility, she sang her lines
and acted her part with graceful sprightli-
| ness and charming naivete, winning we'll
merited and hearty applause, especially
in the grand entire aria. The lady is a
most valuable acquisition to the society
and worthy successor to Miss Emma
Faber, who sang the part SO charmingly
before.
Messrs. G. Hildebrand and Otto Dreher,