The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-09
FArINIrzA.
Hts Presentation at whItIev's Opera
House by the Council Grove
Dramatic Company

House by the Council Grove
| Dramatic Company.
/ To say thai the performance Tuesday
evening tally justified the high expecta
tions which were entertained by the
Emporia public regarding it is TO keep
safely within the range of fair criticism
The opera itself is one of the most
pleasing OF The popular class 10 which il
belongs, and with its graceful music
the strong flavor of romance which per.
vades the plot, its excellent scenic effects
and picturesque groupings, stands con.
fessed as one of the most pleasing stage
presentations of the period.
The interest of the opera centers in
Fatinitza, the alias of a hand
some and youthful Circassian lieutenant
named Vladimir, who, while masquer-
aiding in female attire, Inadvertently
takes captive the heart of bluff old
Russian general, Count Timofey Kant
chukoff, and the amusing intricacies pre-
cipitated by such an unlocked for con
tingency furnish the interesting ar
gument for this pleasing musical drama.
This exac:ing role, involving the per-
sonation of two characters, is taken by
F1eta Lawrence, an attractive young
lady whose cultivated vocal methods and
easy presence on the stage seem almost
Incompatible with the statement volun-
teered 10y friend, that she but recently
celebrated her sixteenth birthday. The
admirable manner in which this prom
ising amateur falls in with the spirit of
her dual persOnation, coupled with her
excellent singing, attested the wisdom
of assigning 10 her The commanding
position on the cast which she occupies
and fills with such entire satisfaction.
Scarcely less prominent and certainly
not less popular. Miss Minnie Webb, as
Princess Lydia Imanovna, neice of
Count Kantchukoff and lover of Vla6i-
mir, came in for a generous share
of the honOrs of the evening, and
became favorite from the first moment
of her appearance upon the stage. Her
personal graces and apparent natural
viYacity, in connection with a voice of
much sweetness fit her well for the part
in which she won such hearty plaudits.
F. B. Lawrence, as Count Timofey
Kanchukoff, was more than successful,
and in his PRESERVATION of the leading
male role gave evidence of an order of
talent which the fortunate possessor
should spare no pains in cultivating for
a professional career. His voice, for a
person of his years, is little short of
wonderful, and with judicious training,
in connection with his pronounced dra-
matte ability could be made source of
profit to him which he should not neg
lect to avail himself of The
rough old Russian general
could certainly have found no
better interpreter than the gifted young
man who took the part with such excel
lent effect last evening.
The ubiquitous, inquisitive newspaper
correspondent, Julian Hardy, was per-
sonated with great felicity by w. F.
Lewis, who is an old favorite in En-
poria. He was in excellent voice last
evening, and as the useful and ingenious
factor in bringing about the happy de-
nouement on which the curtain falls
was highly successful.
1t is hardly necessary to say that Ed.
White, as Izzet Pasha, u reform" Turk
was up to the requirements OF the occa-
sion, as his adaptability to anything he
undertakes on the stage is SO well
known as to need no extended comment
ut our hands.
A highly creditable PRESERVATION was
the Mustapha of Mr.. ]. r. Applington,
who, as guardian of the harem, looked
and acted his part to perfection, and
kept under strict surveillance Izzet's four
wives, personated by Mrs. j. r. Ap-
plington, Mrs. r. w. Fisk, Mrs. Ed.
White and Mrs. Z. W. Spencer.
w. Fl. Moriarty, as Captain Staravieff;
E. w. Spencer, as Lieutenant Safanoff,
and A Strictly, as Corporal Onanoff,
added TO the strength of the cast, which
is one of uniform excellence throughout.
A very pleasing feature of the opera
was the Bashi Bazouk chorus, and
the charming trio in the third act
was enthusiastically applauded.
During the wait between the second
and third acts Miss Zelina Mantey rem
dered an exquisite violin fantasia
which was followed by an
encore, Bonnie Sweet Bessie, the Maid
of Dundee" and both we've received
with pronounced demonstrations of ia
Vor.
The orchestra, under the direction of
A W. Simcock, added wonderfully to
the sum of the evenings enjoyment, and
is worthy of the most flattering mention.
The entertainment in every regard is
worthy of the most liberal patronage,
and we hope to see the opera house
filled to its utmost capacity this evening.