St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-07
ADJUSTMENTS
An I'll al Grafton.

The Boston Ideals presented Lecocq s
sparkling opera Of Girofe Grofla at the
Grand last night, to an audience that filed
the house and overlooked into the foyers,
every eligible seat having been reserved. The
audience was not only large and
fashionable, ib1t it was appreciative
to the bounds of enthusiasm, and
while considerable license was taken with the
music the rendition may justly be described
as the most thoroughly enjoyable of the en-
gagement. The score sparlies with bright,
fantastic melodies and both the music and
libretto are Frencby in the sense that the
tempo is always lively and the action never
for moment faggs.
The dual title role of the twin sisters was
taken by Marie Stone, who made the palpable
hit of the evening. The more one sees of
this capable and gifted artist, the greater is
the impression that to natural ability of a
high order, she adds a conscientious desire
to please, a gift that is not common with
song birds, especially when they have
achieved the position occupied by this lady.
Her impersonation of the twin sisters was
marked by captivating abandon and chic.
while her pure soprano was liquid and bell
like in its quality. The clear and sustained
quality and power of her voice was especially
apparent in the wine song in the second act
which was rendered with remarkable purity
and sweetness, while the business of the
scene was given in an enchanting manner,
there being all the effects of pleasant exhil-
Grafton without grossness.
The artist deservedly received triple en-
core in this song. The ensemble at the close
of this act was spirited and very powerful,
the chorus especially appearing to fine advan-
tage, while the same may be said of the finale
of the first act, which was given in spark
ling manner Mr.. Whitney imper-
sonated the Moor, and his makeup
WAS Othello-like in its picturesqueness and
savage suggestiveness. He sang the role in
his usual enchanting manner, his solo in the
last act being remarkable for its power,
beauty and strength of expression. Mr..
Barnabee excelled himself as Don
Bolerd, the father of the twins.
He infused wonderful vitality and drollery
into the part and in his way was the comic
life of the opera. 1t would be impossible to
convey an idea of the bewitching melodies
with which the opera abounds, but mention
is due the quartette and chorus
at the close of the first act,
the duet, ''How nice twill be-" BY Ton Karl
aud Miss Stone, the song, "Thou fools may
jeer," by Mr.. Karl and the chorus, and the
solo, "Oh, these men," by Miss Phillips. The
latter sang uncommonly well, and she de-
serves credit for the neat manner in
which she closed up the gap which
followed her solo, the leader, Mr.. Studley,
also having shown a nice appreciation of the
situation. MIR. Karl sang his role with fine
spirit and his acting WAS vivacious and lively.
Mrs. Phillips, as the wife of the Don was at
her best.
The opera was handsomely appointed, the
costumes being bright and elegant while the
chorus work and Instrumentation was very
enjoyable and efficient. Miss Agnes Stone
was graceful as Pedro, and sang in pleas
ing manner.
The "Musketeers" will be presented at to-
days matinee, and the engagement closes
tonight with "Pinafore."