St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-07
AMUSE MENTS.
How the Ideals Appeared in ssThe
Maid of HOnor.-

Maid of HOn0r.r
The initial performance in ST. Paul of
Halevy's so-called opera cOmique under
title of 1.-THE Maid of Honor" attracted an
immense audience at the Grand opera house
last night. the occasion being the Boston
Ideals second appearance during the pres
emf engagement and their first appearance
in the old opera revived. The audience
was even larger than that which attended
on the first night and the individual mem
bers thereof were more enthusiastic than
the night before. If there was the least
doubt as to the popularity of the Boston
Ideals with the amusement loving public of
st. Paul, 1t was thoroughly dIssipated last
night. AS each one of the principals i'm the
cast made his or her appearance on the
stage. he or she was accorded most hearty
welcome. The audience was most gener-
GUS in its applause throughout the opera
and numerous numbers were repeated to
the auditors entire satisfaction.
The opera is styled an opera comiuue. but
which appellatiOn was made does not ap-
pear either from the musical score or the
lines. There is not the slightest trace Of
comedy in the plot, stage play or lines, and
the comique is therefore a misnOmer. 1t is
quite pretentiOus in its claims for recogni-
tioR as heavy opera, as il is heavy from
the orchestra music TO the dialogues. The
melodies are of the Grand and imposing
order and command respect rather than ad-
miraton.
The most conspicuous feature of the en-
tire production was the elegant costumes
displayed by the members of the cast,
from the principals to the chorus
singers. The costumes, being repre-
sensations of those worn in France,
during the reign of Louis Kill, were gor-
geous in texture and makeup. and had many
claims to historical accuracy. The effect
on the stage, as the gaily-attired vocalists
moved about and gathered in groups. was
most pleasing to the eye. The ballroom
scene in the second act permitted the intro
duction of, what in a grand opera house
would be the ballet, but which last night
became a minuet. The innovation was
duly appreciated.
The argument deals with the love affairs
OF two young maids of honor and their ad-
mlrers. two young officers of Anne of Aus
tria's body guard, who are enjoying life at
Poitiers In attendance at the court of Louis
xii: One of the officers. although warm
friends, proves false to his fellow officer
and makes love, out of pure devilment.
to the object Of his friends truest affection.
q
true friend Is arrested for the offense. al
though his false friend is guilty. The
formers lady love clears him of the crime
by declaring that at the time of the night
at which the deed took place. the Young
oIilcer was with her. and was consequently
innocent OF the crime. The false friend
confesses and everything is satisfactorily
arranged.
THE CAST.
The cast included Tom Karl MorselI.
Mcdonald. w. II. Clark. Marie Stone. Az
mes Huntington and Lizzie Burton. Ii
would be difficult to say who deserved the
largest share of praise as they all received
applause and they all deserved II. Kari
and the Misses Huntington and Stone had
more opportunities for displaying their
abilities, but the others did what fell tn
them in praiseworthy manner and created
the general regret that their musical num-
Ders were not more numerous.
Karl was in excellent voice. a great i'm
provement on the night previous. and had
ample opportunity 10 display il. He sang
an aria. deep in My Heart" to the famii-
lar strains of Call Me Thine Own IL
seemed to suit him perfectly. and from be-
ginning to end he sang with feeling. His
other vocal numbers were not so pleasing,
although his fine voice was the source of no
end of favorable comments. The same
complimentary mention could not be made
OF his lines, as he failed to learn the text
and his promptings at times was most APP
parent.
Morsell shared with him the honors, and
carried his part IN the opera with his usual
success. He, as well as Karl, were re-
/ peatedly encored. w. II. Clark had
/ little or nothing TO do. His single musical
number. however, displayed his fine bass
/ voice to good advantage and secured for him
meritonous encore. Mcdonald was pains
taking and perfect as usual
Miss Stone was all that could be desired.
She not only sang with effect, but acted
! and dressed the part to perfection. While
not having any remarkable solo. she con-
tributed greatly to the success of the entire
entertainment by assisting In duets and
quartets, Her voice was as musical and