The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-12
ADJUSTMENTS,

GRAND oPERA-HoUsE-"FRA DIAvoLo."
Mr.. William Castle, of the Abbott company,
and the indianapolis Opera Company gave a
very creditable presentation of Auber's tuneful
opera, 'Fra Diavolo," at the Grand Opera-house
last night, the audience being large and fashion
able, and altogether generous in the matter of
applause and flowers. OF the general features
of the performance it can be said that it was
given smoothly and evenly, with but few mis-
haps, and those of q minor character. AS is gem
orally the case with performances given by others
than professionals, the music was rendered with
better spirit and effect than the dramatic por-
ton of the composition, and to Pro-
lessor Barus's excellent Judgment and
careful and patient training this was
greatly due. He is a musical director Of fine
abilities, a fact that is establis he'd by the excel
lent operate performances recently given by
amateurs who were under his guidance. In the
cast Of "Fra Diavolo" Mr.. Castle, who has al
ways been a favortte here, was, of course, the
central figure. His fine stage presence, natural
cleverness and excellent dramatic methods have
made him one of the most accomplished lyric ar
fists before the public. His voice, although a
little worn, is still sweet, and his use of it is
most admirable. His barcarole in the fret act,
and aria In the second, were both encored, and
In the concerted numbers his voice was
heard to much advantage. The cast other.
wise was quite satisfactory. Mr.. Sidney
Reade sang the part Of Lorenzo nicely, but his
acting was somewhat s~piritless and weak. Mr..
g. B. Foster, W. De NJ. Hooper and Harry
Hackett, in character parts, were clever, the
nrst named especially so. Mrs. Enrique c:
Miller was the Zerlina, and sang with her usual
sweetness. Mrs. Leon Bailey, aside from Mr.,
CASTLE, gave decidedly the best individual per.
Torrance in the cast. She is an accomplished
actress In many respects, and her voice is an ex-
oellent one for opera, AS has already been
Indicated the choruses were one of the chief at
ETAnf1nna nf tho nnnpo na fhnu n 1N-nn .-Etl
much spirit, and the excellent orchestration also
deserves special mention, The first act moved
somewhat slowly, but the second and third were
given better, and the chamber scene was done
with delicacy and discrimination, although the
curiosity OF two or three of the chorus singers,
VINO peeped IN at the window, marred the effect
somewhat. The performance will be repeated
TINS afternoon and evening, and will well repay
attendance.
NOTES.
Robson & Crane are underlined at the Grand
for the evening of the 23d.
John Hazelrige, who has been the leading man
of the Bertha Welby combination, is home for
the summer.
Ida SiddOns's Female MastodOn Minstrels will
De at the Park the last three nights of next
week. The "spit rows" are already engaged.
The announcements for the Zoo next week are
Castles Celebrities, an excellent specially com
pany, and McCarty and Monroe's "Muldoon's
Picnic" combination, which also has a good
reputation.
"The Naiad Queen will be reproduced at the
Grand next Tuesday night and during the re-
mainder of the week, in gorgeous style and with
the original cast. Tho sale of seats will begin
this morning.
Mr.. Frank Durand, representing Barnum's
big show, which is here the Goth inst, is in town.
The Barnum show this year is the largest and
best That ever Travelled, and has many new and
original features. The attendance here, will, of
course, exhaust the capacity of the tents.
Three of the male members of Catherine
Lewis's Comic Opera Co~mpany-Messrs. Len
n0X. Nash and RtckettG-failRd IN amman at tI.
performance last night in Chicago, owing. as it
is alleged, to the non-paymenJ of back salaries.
The management explains that owing to the ex-
travagance of Mr.. Arfwedson, husband of Miss
Lewis, whom she dismissed in New York a few
weeks ago, she left the metropolis heavily in
debt, but had nearly succeeded in wiping it out
when the present incident occurred. The per-
formance Will proceed with the aid of minor
men of the troupe.