Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-06
AMUsEMENTS.


ALBAUGH's OPERA HoUsE.-It Is not too
much TO say that the representation Of Wag-
ner's "Flying Dutchman" by the American
peey operasic s eo
witnessed in Washington. Nothing was want
ing to make II as nearly an ideal production Of
for. The leading roles were filed by artists
who seemed to have q peculiar fitness for
equal % tne demands Of the bea wS seo1
The orchestra did its work with the marvellous
finish Of technical excellence and the power
ton of Mr.. Theodore Thomas The setting was
q wonder of beautiful and elaborate stage art,
and the mechanical devices worked so
smoothly as to complete the illusion of the
picturesque scenes. With the raising of the
curtain the weird, gloomy, Hateful atmosphere
seemed to steal forth and envelop the audience
like soft mist from O phantom ocean. Out of
the storm and the darkness the mysterious
craft of the Dutchnldn swept like u thingOfs the
fancy into view from the black invisible of the
background. On its spars and its rigging the
lightnings played like luminous tree-snaSes on
the familiar boughs of their native saplings.
The ocean Outcast seemed to moan and tremble
as the tumbling waves and driving winds
hurled 1t forward to the rock bound coast;
while beyond, through the riven, scurry-
ing clouds, faint, broken rays of light
struggled gle in to reveal the gloom
striking piece of illusion, 1t is safe to say, had
not before been seen on Washington stage,
and is not commonly seen on any STAGE and Its
effect on the audience was accordingly over
mastering. They at once surrendered to the
spirit OF the work, even before the buchanan
tMr. Ludwig), pale, gloomy, noble In the
strange pathos of his destiny, stepped forth in
sombre dignity upon the rocks and began in a
spell thus cast upon the audience was not again
broken until the splendid final tableau; but
with each succeeding event in the beautiful
each developed and carried forward harmo-
niously and cumulatively the initial promise
ana a, purpose Of the theme In appearance and
thy representative OF the mysterious hero Of
the picturesque legend on which Wagner
founded this, mis- least characteristic work. He
gave to his impersonation that air of romantic
gloom and noble resignation, which might he
supposed to characterize a fate-pursued man;
ana yet 1t was human to u degree which won
at once the syInpathies of the audience. Mr..
Ludwig's voice is OF great beauty and power
in the middle and lower notes. but his Higher
notes he does not give with as much clearness
ana certainty. His stirring opening number
displayed the best and most pleasing qualities
thusiastic admiration of his audience. The
long duet with SeWa in the second
a ae s Ms full h,rsts of dramatic power
won round after round of applause, and at the
end the curtain had TO be twice rung up. The
Senta OF Miss Emma Juch was in every way an
adequate companion work to Mr.. Ludwlgs
buchanan. This charming artist surprised her
warmest admirers last night by the poetical
and the power and dramatic fervor she Infused
into her rendering OF the music. She was alto
gether, an almost ideal Sentu. The dreamy
longing and romantic exatation of the open
Ing scene of the second act were beautifully
expressed, and the meeting with the Dutch
man. man was n,t , trying test. iron from which she
ming chorus was given most effectively
and was received with the usual expressions of
delight. In the splendid duet with the Dutch-
man Miss Juch sustained her part with striking
power and u briiliancy OF vocal effect which
WOULD not have escaped an encore had any
the baton. Mr.. MyrOn w. Whitney is pecu-
llarly suited to the part of Ddtdad. His bluff,
inu, stye, ootn on acting and singing, were
good voice last night, and gave his number in
the second act with especial charm and in a
style of hearty good nature which impregnated
every note that weilcd up from the sugary
depths OF his baSSO protundO. The remainder of
the cast was satisfactory and the fresh voices Ut
the chorus were heard 10 fine advantage.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs' BENEFIT.-A perform.
ance of "OthellO' OF more than usual interest
will be given at Albaugh's this evening for the
benefit Of Washington Division, No. i, Knights
OF Pythias. MIR. Robert l.. Downing will appear
in the title role, for which he is well equipped
Albaugh will be the IdgO, Mrs. Albaugh the
Emilia, Miss Rosa Rand Desdemona. and Mr.. s.
w. Keen Cassie
ALBAUGH's OPERA HoUsE.-The summer
opera season will open at this house Monday
evening next, when JEANNE Winston will APP
pear III her Interesting impersonation Of Fla
DtaCOto, supported by Il good company. The
prices will be the same as last season.
NATIONAL THEATER.-A minstrel engage
iucuG Will DC Tie feature u LnlS Louise the first
three nights OF next week. The troupe is Nc
Nish, Johnson and Slavin's, which is said to be
u good one, and contains some prime favOrites
OF minstrel patrons, including Carroll Johnson,
Frank +. McNish aud Bob Slavin, the three
proprietors and principal Iun-makers. The sale
OF seats began ut the box Office to-day.
HERZOG $ OPERA HoUoE.-MIss Louise Syl.
vester and a capable company will present the
new and funny musical ausurdiLy, "a Hot
lime, at HerZOgs next week.
A TESTIMONIAL CONCERT to Mr., Edward c.
Gill Will be given ut the National Rifles armory
Friday evening. A very line program has been
arranged. Among those who will take part are
Mr. ltakeman, the violinist, the Franz Abt
club, Mr.. Whipple, and many Others
The COMING OF BARNUM-There IS some-
thing In the makeup OF the average rightly
constituted American which creates In him at
least once year IL craving Tor tile obstreperous
excitement OF the circus, and this craving for
years 1t las been the almost exclusive duty of
Mr.. I. L. Barnum and his associates to satisfy
IL Is great Undertaking, but one in which tie
interchangeable Yankee has yet to record "a failure
Monday and Tuesday OF next week MIR. Bar
mum md his great aggregation will put in their
annual appearance III Washington; pitching
the tents at 9th and 5 streets. OF course th.,
show this year is larger, more magnIticen ut and
more interesting than ever before, Us is the i'll
variable case with circuSeS. TO accom- modate
The public, reserved seat tickets and admission
tickets have been put on sale at MetZerott'S
music store.