The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-26
ADJUSTMENTS.
ENeL1sH's OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.


The Barton Opera Company began engage
ment of three nights and matinee at Englishs
last night, to fine audience, presenting Gilbert
d SullvaD's new opera, ''Golanthe, or the Peer
and the Peri" which had never before been seen
here. The performance was listened to with
great interest and enthusiastically applauded at
frequent intervals. The opera has been so fire.
quently reviewed in the columns of this paper
that there is now no necessity for rehash of
the story. The libretto shows that cleverness
thai has made Mr.. Gilbert famous; but that de-
licious satire which characterized "Prates of
Penzance" and Patience" in "Iolanthe"
is not so apparent to American
audiences, for its subject, the English
House of Lords, is an institution that
is but little known to them For that reason it
probable that the opera will not prove to be
nearly so popular as were its predecessors. The
plot Is of course humOrously ridiculous, and in
the deyelopement the author shows much of
that Wit and originality that ch aracteriZed the
Dad Ballads" and other previous productions
But in "Ioanthe" there are % number of lines
that seems dull and commonplace, and the i'm
preston grows on one that Mr.. Gilbert has not
added greatly TO his reputation as "a brilliant
tirst by his latest work. On the other hand ,
Mr.. Sullivans music appears to be of higher
stan dard than that of his previous efforts and
1t shows decided tendency toward classical
composition. The concerted pieces are sJrikingy
good, and the orchestral effects are worked up
very artisticaly There Is much less of what is
commonly known ms popular airs" than there is
in either "PinafOre" "Pirates," and if
'IOlanthe" does not meet with general favor
as did the others, 1t must be because preten-
tious musical compositions are beyond popular
appreciation. The work whole is n very
clever one, the design is unique, the action
spirited and picturesque and the music Keel
lent. To be thoroughly understood and enjoy ed
the opera must he seen more than once, and
must be considered in connection with
The circumstances which are its raison
d'etre. The performance given it
Rnpfnn'a a n
respects. bur not altogether satisfactory, two
three of the principals heng deficient in vocal
power. notably Miss Hart, Mr. Fraser and Mr..
Pelham. Aside from this, the latter's Lord
Chancellor was a very funny performance, his
makeup and business being comica in the ex-
treme. Mr.. Traverner and Mr.. Hogan appeared
TO good advantage both singing and acting well,
while Mr.. Seamore's stephen cannot be SO
highly commended. The ladies appeared to bet
ter advantage, Miss Fritch wEo was seen here
with the SlrakOsch company earlier in the sea-
son, made very attractive Phyllis, and used her
voice, which is one of considerable sweetness
and power, with much taste ana expression.
Miss WentwOrths Iolanthe exceedingly
rreditahle, her solo in the second act being
very gracefully rendered. The chorus is large
and well trained, and the costuining was the
richest ever seen here. The chief criticism that
can BE- made against the performance ia that the
com pany does not fully bring out the satire and
wit of the librettr, and for that the opera
may appe rr tinler than its merits Justify. 1t
Will be repeated again this evening, tomorrow
afternoon and Tomorrow evening, and Will well
repay attendance.
THE NILSSON CONCERT.
The following is the programme for the Nilsson
concert at the Grand tonight:
Quintet in A Op. 10 Mendelssohn
Mendelssonn Quintet Club.
Signor Del Puente.
CANCELS Ever Bright and Fair" (Theodoral
Nine. Christine Nilsson.
Recit. and Aria "Il Guramento". .Mercadante
NJ. TheOdor BiOrksten.
'Vien che poi sereno". ...................Gl Chuck
Miss Hone Glenn.
Fantaise for Violonoelo on lie Desir". - Servais
NJ. Frederick Giese.
"The Jewel Song" (FausIl .G0unod
Nine Christine Nilsson.
"Toreador," Garment. .Bizet
Signor Del Puente.
"The Better Land" ......................CO wen
Miss Hope Glenn.
Minuetto Composed for Quintet 49,. Bocoherini
Mendelssohn Quintet Club.
Quartet, "Mezza notte," (Marta). ........ FlotOw
Nine. Christine Nilsson, Miss Glenn, NJ.
Borksten and signor Del Puenre
1t is desired that the audience be in their seats
promptly at 8 O'Clock, 80 that all confusion may
be avoided.
Mr.. Henry L. Shepard, manager of George G.
Min, Ia in the city.
| Mr.. Nick Roberts, long way ahead Of
| "Romany Rye" ia In town.
| Mr.. and Mrs. George s. Knight will appear
| the Grand omnrrow afternoon and evening in
] Chosen Friends. They are excellent artists and