National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-21
ANfUSENfENrS.



"MY LIFE"
At the National last evening Harry Mere
dlths melodrama, my Life" was presented,
with Nine. Janauschek In tho leading roles.
In this new departure the great tragcdionne
has initiated the experiment Of entertaining
the public at its own expense, instead of, as
In the past educating 1t ut hors. The play
is fairly good even in its worst scenes. but the
last three acts are sufficient TO insuge It's sue
cess for the full span of seasons that the public
accord TO even the best melodramatic effort.
The plot OF my Life" while II is built up
nom the usual improbable events that enter
into one of Miss Braddons novels of English
lie, Is well sustained, and the author
has maintained a degree OF intensity and
unity, especially in the last three acts,
that he would have done well to have OBJ.
served in the prologue and first act As Mico,
the grisette, and Leben, the blind woman,
Nine. Janauschek gives a touching picture,
artistic In every detail aud full Of tender
pathos. Then, as Circo Encore, she presents u
sharply-dcilncd contrast even more strik-
ing than her Horlcnso in "Chcsney Wold,"
one Is the pure woman exalted by suffering,
with heart overllowlng with tender love for
the child she has devoted her life to- the
other the painted dsHiircp, Il Parisian vixen
who oilcnds In speech, action, and dress. TO
these characters so widely apart she imparts a
strength and to each gives distinct person.
ality that Ills them far beyond the narrow
limits of the play. They are the creations
that lmplant vitality into what would other.
wise be q somewhat commonplace production.
The support has been well selected, and the
stsge settings are particularly good, especially
the attic in the Rue st. Luce and the hall at
Moorand castle. The costumes of Nine.
Janauschck arc Of American manufacture
and fairly rival the best efforts of Worth. The
dress worn in the second act is almost barbaric
In It's brilliant huos, and the striking effect Of
this toilet was intensified by the many mag
nidcent diamonds that were worn with it.
My Life" will be continued during the
week and ,at the Wednesday and Saturday
matinees.
SoTuERN.
Last evening Mr.. Edward sothern began n
weeks engagement at Fords, appearing as
Jack Singleton IN the comodietta, "Aunt's Ad-
vice" and as Leveret in II. G. Byron's drama,
"Old Soldier" Mr.. Sothern has rapidly ad-
vanced as an actor, and frequently exhibits
flashes of that peculiar and eccentric genius
which his father was so famous for Ills com
pany Is far above the average, and gave Il
pleasant surprise by the artistic way in which
they handled their respective roles Miss
Lizzie Geremy and Mr.. Charles Frew fairly
divided the honors with the star, the latter
making decided hit in the character of Cos
sidy. The same bill will be maintained until
Saturday, when the roaring farco-comedy
Crushed or, Whose Are TheyG" will be pre-
sented at the matinee aud evening perform
ances.
THE ST. CECILIA QUARTETTE.
The first concert of the season took place at
the Congregational church last night and the
large auditorium was filled with brilliant
and enthusiastic audience. The programme
was furnished by the st. Cecilia quartette,
which is now composed of Misses Evan, bet.
weller, and Jessie Harvey and Mrs. Mills,
under the direction Of Dr. j. W. Blschoif., The
idea of vocal quartette of ladies was n novel
one, for 1t is rarely that four female voices can
be found which will blend together so as to
make full and perfect harmony. That result
has, however, been attained in the st. Cecilia
quartette, and the various numbers in which
the ladies all appeared were all executed with
a precision of time and tune and a dellcacy of
phrasing that fully deserved the enthusiastic
applause they received Perhaps the careful
training and practice to which the quartette
has been subjected were best shown in the
Chant by Rhodes and the "Soldier's Fare
we'll" although the number which most cap
tlvated the audience was Caldicott's "Humpty
Dumpty."
Each lady sang solo, their selections being
rs follows: Miss Harvey, "Going TO Market"
by Diehi; Miss Evan, Dame Nightingale
"My Darling was so Fair" and II Must sing"
.i---- -,,r'--' - --tupvtsr As!ia-T --iI-i-'a
at the Window" by Hutchinson, and Miss
| Detweiler. "sognai," by Schira Each soloist
was cncorcd, but Mrs. Mills alone responded
and that was III obedience to the emphatic
desire of the audience, who would not be sat.
slied until she repeated the last stanza of her
song. DR.. BischoH played Fantasia on
| Themes, from Faust" on the organ, and for
an encore dainty "Minuet." lie also per
formed the task of accompanst, bringing out
| the full rich tone of the Weber grand piano,
but supporting and sustaining the soloist with
out oycrpowcring hor voice.
The concert was one of the most enjoyable
that has been given by the st. Cecilias, and the
ladies are certainly entitled to great credit fol
the perfection which they have acquired II
is doubtful if'therc is another similar organl
zatlon in the country, and it would be difficult
to find one that could compete with this
which merits especial favor, as its members
are all residents of this city. II is TO be hoped
that the success of this concert will induce the
quartette to give Others during the season.