Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-21
IOLANTHE.

The First Pre- sentation of the New Opera
in st. PauI-An Excellent Rendition
Special Engagement of the Emma Abbott
Company.
In the presentation of the drama and
the enchanting production of musical art,
the Opera house of st. Paul has scored a
great many brilliant triumphs, but i'll all
its history it never contained a larger or
more select audience than graced its some
what rusty and musty interior last night.
The house was densely packed from par
quette to the upper gallery, and the audi
ence, moreover, was musical and essentially
appreciative.
1t may be said, imprimis, that the rem
dition of ''Iolanthe," by the Abbott opera
company, swas an artistic and enjoya-
BILE success. The audience did not en-
thuse to the extent of boiling over, to use
homely phrase, but it manifested its de-
light and applauded in manner not to
be readily mistaken. "Iolanthe" has been
heralded as Gilbert & Sullivan's latest sue
cess and the announcement may be &C.
copied as literally true.
These gentlemen have not only had the
discernment to discover the way to a new
school for the exercise of literary and
musical ability, but they have had the
brains and rare good skill and fortune to
perpetuate their unique department by a
series of successes. 1t is patent fact, how
ever, that "Iolanthe" does not possess to
so eminent a degree the factors of popu-
larity as some of the proceed
ing productions of the same author.
At least not to an American audience
which finds it more difficult to seize upon
the salient points of the satire. Unlike
Patience" the points of the satire are all
foreign, so English indeed, that no one
not conversant with the manners of Bel
grave or the West End, can fully appreci-
ate, at the first blush, the rein of true
comedy and humor.
unsteady, the composition is not SO
taking as Patience" or "Pinafore," while
''King for Day." the operetta given on
Monday night, is more catching, there
being dozen airs in either of the above
which an audience readily seized upon and
made familiar.
'Iolanthe," also, contains greater
sprinkling of dialogue; this is bright and
sprightly and as satire on English polit-
ical aristocracy, the hits are amusing and
immensely relished.e
The cast last night included Miss Abbott
as 'Phyllis," Julia Rosewald as the "Fairy
Queen" Mr.. Castle as the 'Lord Chancel-
lor," Mr.. Stoddard as "Strephon," Mr..
Hall, as the earl of Ararat." Valentine
Fabrini as the earl of Tolloller," with
Miss Hindle, Miss Hoyt and Miss Hart
man as fairy fays and not to omit Mr.. Gill
bert as "Private Willis" his character be-
ing one of the enjoyable hits of the even
ing.
This cast was supplemented by good
chorus, the entertainment in this respect
being considerable of an improvement on
the opening night, few of the passages
however being slightly marred by the over
towering effect of the brasses, which it
seemed might have been trife less dem
onstrative.
Miss Abbot sang with tender power and
sweetness, it being the gift of this
lady to emulate the mission of bird
which seems to sing because it cannot
help it. Miss Rosewald made a bewitch
ing ''Iolanthe," both in appearance and
vocally, while Miss AnnandaIe sang with
unwonted power and beauty of express
sion. The ''Lord Chancellor" by Mr..
Castle, was somsthing unique for this
gentleman, but he aquitted the trying
role with credit to himself
and pleasure to the audience
His extemporaneous lines after the solo
in the first act, in response to repeated
recalls, constituted a pleasant feature of
the evening. Mr.. Hall made capital hit
of his part, and Messrs. Fabrini and Stod-
dard sang their parts with earnestness,
spirit and beauty. The balance of the
cast was admirable. The calls for encores
were numerous, apd the audience seemed
we'll pleased.
AT the matinee I'll Trovatore" will be
presented, and tonight the company will
give ''La Sonnambula."
A SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT.
The patrons of music and the drama will
be pleased to learn that the Abbott COM
pany have arranged for an extra engage
ment in st. Paul.
The special engagement is for six
nights and two matinees, commencing
Thursday, March LIST. The repertoire is as
follows: Thursday and Monday evenings,
''Iolanthe;" Friday evening. Paul and Vir-
ginia;" Saturday matinee, Elixir of Loves"
Saturday evening, "Martha;" Tuesday eve
ming, Romeo and Juliet" Wednesday
matinee, ''Chimes of Normandy" Wednes-
day night, ERA Di Diavalo." The sale will
commence tomorrow morning at o'clock