Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-21
AxusEKER9s



appearance and artistic execution Of
its choral force, but their superiority |
in this line is more than Offset by their
deficiency in leading ports. Aside
from Miss Bockell and Mr.. Raymond,
the baritone, the voices Of the COM
pany are awfully thin and unmusical,
excepting, of course, Miss Stembler,
whose voice, though light, is exceed
ingly sweet. The troupe, however,
from chorus to its poorest soloist,
is fully up in all of its respective parts,
keep accurat, time, and show careful
training by doing everything smoothly
and evenly. Indeed, it may be said
that they invest their several parts
by charm of action never before seen
here in an entire company. The
several performances here, so far, have
run along, from the rise to the fall of
the curtain, without a hitch or mis-
take Of any kind, as far as could be dis
cernsd by an ordinary observer. With
an accomplished and carefully trained
chorus and: excellent stage manage
ment like Ford has, the Abbott
party could, next season, be made
faultless and uDrivalled, while its
popularity and patronage would be
largely increased in communities
where there is a large music loving
population, such as ours, for example.
The contrast between the two COM
panies was particularly noticeable in
their respective conditions Of the opera
of Patience" In the several scenes
where twenty maidens figured, last
night, Ford has fifteen, while Abbott
has nine. The fifteen. with their
graceful action, exquisitely aesthetic
cOstuming, idyllic posing and splendid
singing, invested the picture With a
beauty of the most delightful and
enhancing description. On the other
hand, the Abbott troupe's illustration
of the scenes referred to we're awk-
ward and lacking in picturesque effect,
and many who had seen Patience, -
in Eastern cities, or who had heard it
described by Others, we're sOrely dis
appointed at tie Abbott representa-
ton of all, except the leading parts,
which, Of course, were finely and ar
tistically executed. This, however,
was like giving hungry squad deli
cate desserts, with no substantials.
And, speaking Of subStantials, the
Ford Company have a superabundance
three or four dozen shapely, symmet
rical and well formed limbs, as can be
shown on any stage. In Patience, y
however, the opportunity is not af
forded to see much Of this popularity,
In the leading role last night, Miss
Bockell was particularly charming,
land one present, who hes Witnessed
all Of the Patiences in the
country, remarked that she
was not only pretty Patience, but
was equal to the best, and superior to
many. The Bunthorue of Mir. Fitz-
gerald was finely acted and fairly
sung. Mr.. Raymond invested the
part of the COLONEL with both grac,
and grandeur, in the lyric features
as we'll as the action. The othel
parts were satisfactory. This evening
thenew opera Of Manola is announced
and persons who saw it rendered b,
this fine troupe at New Orleans, las
week, mention it as a most meritoriou
performance as we'll as a pleasing one
To morrow afternoon Patience" ant
tomorrow night closes the Ford En-
glish Comic Opera Troupe engagement
Tho Walking Tournament
to open next Monday evening is likel
to be the interesting event Of the sea
son. The noted pedestrians, O'Leary
Hart, DOwney, Dale and Dobler, ar
entered for the match, the prize bein
1920 and the gate receipts. The Ex
position building is rapidly being place
in condition for the anticipated spor
:, The Grand Concert.
In the grand complimentary concer
to be given next Monday night a
. Leubrie's theater, for the heuef
= Of Mrs. G. H. Fits and Miss Bessi
:, Pierce, the following artists will pal
q ticipate besides the fair benefciarie:
= The Misses Woodward, Hunte
Houston, Brown, Speed and Franl
> voCalists; Misses Hannah Barrow
(, Smithwick, Hail, Karr aud Mr.
: Raine, pianists Professor Del
! Violinist Miss Bessie Pierce, harpi
|, and vocalist; Professor Handwerker
> orchestra Mrs. G. H. Fits, pianis
=, !, and Mr.. James Kirkland, stage mai
ager,
10 May COrOnRIiOr.
A hundred children are in trainil
under the experienced and accor
Of, plishcd Mrs. W. c. Thompson, Al
will give spectacular entertainme
8. at Leubrie's Theater about thr
weeks hence. The daughter Of Nj
Ella Sabatzky, now ten or elev,
As ,.o.rr of 80 .rJ -. r. H. -.