National Republican., 1883-02-14
DRAMA AND MUSIC.

DRAMA AND MUSIC.
FoRD's OPERA HoUsE-MR. wARDE.
Mr.. Wardc and his company played John
Howard Payne's "Brutus" last evening in
Ford's Opera house to an audience whose
demonstrations of approval were both fre-
quent and loud. The performance was in
many respects good one, even in the inferior
parts. Mr.. Wardo's share in it deepcncd the
very favorable impression produced by his
Virginius, and may indeed. he said to have
established him with this public. There is
more than u little pleasure experienced in
saying thus much, for to say it is to record the
advent of % new and worthy tragic artist,
where genuine artists have been few. Mr..
Wardc's work in these important characters
bears out tho expectation created by his cf-
forts in earlier days and less important chan
nels. He is n thorough actor, in love with his
art, and endowed with strength sufficient to
support the weight of responsibility that de-
wolves upon the central figure in great play.
His Brutus Is a noble embodiment, full of dig
nifty, and lighted up by splendid vigor. If
he crrs at all, il is in ovcrearnestness Mt the
beginning. His first and second scenes are,
if anything, too heavily marked tor those that
follow. There was feeling last evening that
he had exhausted himself before he REACHED
that fine passage in which Brutus addresses
the people over the body of Lucrcce. This
fiery appeal was given with good tempering Of
passion with discretion; but it was all in
lower key than might and with due in.
crease of effect, after what had preceded it)
should have been used. Mr. Warde does
not leave any one in doubt that he
apprehcnds the just and true pro-
portions of the character. 1t is soundly
considered, and carried out with an intelli-
gent regard to its total effect. His moments
of relaxed force are never moments of dimin-
ished intelligence. His reading, aud in the
main his action, is admirable. When he is
weak, ii is in voice and body--nover in pur-
pose or ESQ to speak, perspective.
"The Merchant of Venice" will be played
this afternoon, with Mr.. Wardo as Shylock
This evening Damon and Pythias."
HER MAJEsTY's OPERA.
The most notable event in the musical sea-
son will he the appearance of Her Majesty's
Opera company next week at the National
theater, The announcement is made this
morning in tho advertisement of tho prices
for the season, which will open at Motzerotts
tomorrow, Thursday, and continue for
two days only. Nine, Adclina Patti
will appear in "semiramide" and La Ira
viata," Nine. Albani in "Rigolotto" and
Faust" and Nine, Scalchi, the eminent con-
tralto, in Semiramide," "Don Giovanni"
and one other opera of which announcement
will shortly be made. The company number
1873 persons, and will arrive here on Sunday
morning next by special train.
THE APOLLO GLEE CLUB.
The largo audience that filled the Congro-
gational church last night evidenced the
popularity of the Apollo Glee club, which ap-
peared before the public for the third time
as complete organization. 1t was the
first occasion when the club had sung with
orchestral accompaniment, and most crcdita-
bly, did they sustain themselves. There
was marked improvement in their
singing from last year, showing the
result of careful practice and proving
the skillful tuition of their musical director.
The club, from the small nucleus of the for
mer male octette choir Of st. Johns church
has now grown to such proportions that il
should become q permanent institution.
There has been no American male singing or
gani2ation in this district since the disband.
ing of the Choral society until the formation
of the Apollo club; and the support that has
been given the club each time it has
made its appearance in public should
indicate that il could remain fixed body in
our musical organizations. The programme
was carefully arranged, and appealed do
cidedly to musical rather than popular taste
The selections rendered by tho club were
"Bluo Bells of Scotland" arranged by Dudley
Buck "Annic Laurie" by the same com,
poser; "King Olafs Christmas" from Long
fellows "Saga of King OlafD, also by
Buck; chorus of Spirits and Hours (fron
Shelly's "Prometheus Unbound" ~ also by
Buck and the Wedding in Corinth,
by Koschal. The last named was perhaps tn,
most effective, giving n greater variety o
shading, although, as has been said, every
number was exceedingly well given. Th
orchestral numbers included dramatic over
ture by Keter- Bella and sercnade by Schar
wenke, both of which We're well executed, tn
conductor having his force fully under con
troll. Two soldists assisted the club, MI
A. d. Woodruff, of New York, an,
Mrs, Annie oemer-Kaspar, of this city. Nh
Neutrality-suspicious. "Murmuring Zephyrs,
showing tenor voice of excellent qualit
} and good range and which has evidently bee
subjected TO careful cultivation in the bes
school, He created most favorable impref
sion upon the audience, and, in response I
: an emphatic encore, gave "Maric," also b.
Jensen.
Mrs, Kaspar's selection was an extremel.
! ambitious one, being an air and variation
by Rode, but her brilliant execution c
the many trills, runs, and staccatoos Shove
that her voice was fully equal to III
difficult requirements of the piece. In tll
many times she has appeared in public hel
7 she has never so completely displayed the fu
, capabilities of herwell cultivated soprano, he