Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-09-16
THE CHIMES.
Fort Worth Talent as viewed Abroad.
Dallas Herald.


Dallas Herald.
The theatrical season of ass was
formally opened yesterday afternoon
and evening at the Dallas opera-house
by the amateur operate talent Of Fort
Worth. The patronage was not such
as was desired or as the merits of the
performance really demanded, though
in the evening good crowd was pres
ent composed of the best people of the
city. The selection was an admirable
one, being the" Chimes ofNormandy.U
This Is one of the sweetest, smooth
est, most charming operas, and
10 Is but justice to say that the ex-
quisite music of the composition was
brought out fully by our Fort Worth
friends. The chorus was excellent.
The male voices surpassed the female,
AZ ungracious as such an announce
ment may seem. More than any other,
this opera abounds in sweet, even
flowing airs of various kinds, and
those who assumed yesterday the
leading roles acquitted themselves
most admirably.
Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Pettus
personated respectively Ger
maine,n and "Sefpolette,n the
principal female characters of
the opera. Mrs. Francis has n
very soft, sweet voice, capable of much
expression aud volume when occasion
requires, and won the repeated encores
of the audience by her neat, intelligent
appreciation other role. The only de-
feet noticed was an apparent want of
enthusiasm on the lady's part.
Mrs. Pettus was vivacious, "cute."
sang well and was recipient of n
large degree Of the applause of the
audience. These two ladies have q de-
cided development OF operate talent
and would show well In any musical
company.
Mr.. Bonner, as the "Marquis,r was
very good, has clear, distinct, strong
voice, and seemed to enter into the
spirit of his role.
Mr.. Maginnis, as the Fisherman, -
WIS simply tirst-class. Possessing a
splendid tenor voice, good actor, and
with evidently thorough conception
Of the meaning Of his role, he fire.
quently won loud encores from the
audience. Mr.. Maginnis Is one of the
most agreeable teuOrs that the Dallas
public has heard for long time. Gas
pard, the Miser," by N. NJ. Washer,
and 1.-The Baillie,n by Mr.. II. +. Big
hey, were excellent. Their voices were
full and rich, enunciRtion distinct,
acting and makeup first class.
The music was good, but too strong
for the voices IL seemed. Frequently
the voice, both in conversation and
song, was lost, and it seemed as If the
audience had been invited to an in
strumental concert.
But the Fort had unquestionably
fine musical talent. IL is a stretch OF
the Imagination to take this fact in,
but the truth Is that way, and when
they return TO Dallas with an operate
company our citizens would undOubt-
eddy be repaid by turning out in force,
for they can, from these performances,
something nice and attrac-
tive.
The opera-house is magnificently fur
nished and equipped now, thanks TO
Mrs. Benton's taste, and Is one of the
prettlest places of amusement in the
country.
After the performance last evening
the Fort Worth ladies and gentlemen
were rendered ball at the ST. George
by their Dallas friends and admirers.
Many couples were present, music
arose with its voluptuous swell, love
looked love to eyes which spake again,
and all went merry as marriage bell.
The visit of this company has been a
most pleasant episode TO both visitors
and citizens of Dallas. They will meet
IA cordial welcome when they come
again.