National Republican., 1883-01-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
!" "PATIENCE.n

"PATIENCE."
The performance of "Patience" by the
Washington operate association in Lincoln
hall would have been successful with even an
audience of strangers That it was successful
with an audience made up largely, if not
altogether, of tho families or friends Of those
concerned would count for very little in its
favor, because amateur successes under such
conditions are matters foregone and in nowise
dependent upon the quality Of the singing.
But in this case there was merit
sufficient to have made successful head
way with any audience, friendly or
hostile The association has very good reason
to be satisfied with its work, and the city to
be proud of so capable an organization. The
main value of the performance land one
which suggests a field of usefulness very
much more dignifed and suitable to non
professional singers lay in the chorus singing
The chorus was numerically strong and very
happily balanced and the voices, being
fresh, unworn, and nearly all young, pro-
duced general effect such as cannot be
expected from the chorus of any travelling
company by whom tho opera is offered.
There was rich, elastic, resonant quality in
it which was not obscured by either the i'm
discreet volume of tone sometimes permitted,
nor the occasional competitive roaring set up
between the stage and the orchestra. There
were roughness, of course. 1t would have
been unreasonable to look for perfectly
rounded work but these roughnesses
were all of a sort that would yield very read
lily to judcious treatment at the hands Of q
good master. The average of individual
voices was high-very much higher than is
usually found even in choral societies, where
large concerted effects are the main things
sought to be reached. Such company need
never lack for solo singers. Threaded
through it are voices equal to any solo need
short of the highest,
OF the voices selected for solo parts last
evening it is scarcely necessary to speak.
The music of "Patience" is not exacting
Sullivan is kind to the vocalist, as well as
delightful to the listener. There are no py-
rotechnics in his score to tax the throat or
puzzle the ear, nor does he call for any effort
prolonged to weariness. 1t is one of the most
graceful attributes of his music that itrewards
all who treat it fairly-the weak abuidantly,
the strong voiced with generous increase of
abundance. No singer with q fair voice ever
failed in any character for which he had pro-
vided music. The ladies and gentlemen
Of the company acquitted themselves well,
and Sullivan's gentle melody was good to
them. The disappointment that was felt at
first because Miss Mills did not appear was
early dissipated by her substitute Miss Mad
dox, of Baltimore, a remarkably handsome
young lady, who uses u full, wide ranged, and
very sweet mezzo soprano voice with truth
and good Judgment that reflects credit upon
her teachers. She did not act, but carried the
book in her hand and frequently was COM
PEELED to read from IL. The other parts were,
as aforesaid, well carried Mr.. Pugh oXcelled
in acting, because he acted less than any of
the others. All tho rest overacted very
awkwardly MS the way is with amateurs.
| If the object of the entertainment and
the Kindness of isshare in it were not in the
way, a sharp word or two might be said OF
Mr.. Sousa, who, with all his good sense and
mastery of orchestration, could not resist an
opportunity to have it out with Sullivan's score
just little. The time in which he played
the Colonel's "patter song" and Bunthorne's
IF you're eager for to shine" would probably
have made the composers head spin. But
Mr.. Sousa is too highly deserving of credit for
the point to which he has brought his or
chestra for any such triaing eccentricites to
be held against him.
At another time, and with more fullness
than is here possible, it is intended to dis
cuss a question suggested by the chorrs sing
ing, With such q body Of singers for a
nucleus a choral society could be organized
equal toany between the two oceans-and supe-
rior to most 1t is respectfully submitted ia
the membership of tho operate association
whether it would not better accord with
their own tastes and the social level
they occupy to sing decently and in
order such things as the great writers
have set down to be choired in high music aud
to the elevation of all concerned, than to
parade lin unacoustomed apparel that does not
fly the fact, which really stands in no need OF
demonstration, that they cannot act? Let
them think it over.
LoTTA.
"The Little Detective" employed the
talents Of Lotta and her company at the Ma
tional theater last evening, and will again
tonight. More upon the subject could not be
said.
Robson and Crane will amuse the patrons
of this house next week.
THE BOSTON IDEAL COMPANY.
Next Monday the Boston Ideal Opera Com
pany begin an engagement at Ford's Opera
house, The operas to be given are as follows
Monday, "Fatinitza;" Tuesday, "Musketeers;
Wednesday, Marriage of Figaro" Thurs
day, Patence;" Friday, "Pirates of Pen.
zance;" Saturday matinee, Mascotte;" !" Sat,
urday evening, Bells of Coneyille" The
advance sale indicates very large audiences at
each performance,