Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-13
"IOLANTHE" A SUCCESS.
Its PerfOrmPuce at the Theatre
Last Evening by the Duff
Opera Company.

1t would be difficult to express the feel
ing of surprise which came over the
audience at the Salt Lake Theatre last
evening, beginning with the first gentle
measure in the opening scene and grow
ing greater and greater as the perform
ance approached the grand finale of the
last act. OF those present, it is safe to
say that but very few had seen the opera
before, and it was for them that the
greatest surprise had been prepared. Per-
formed as it has been on previous occa-
sions in this city, the opera was indiffer-
ent, to say the least, and that there
should be so much to it was what formed
the greatest surprise. Not one of the
Gilbert-Sullivan operas depends SO en-
tirely upon the merits Of the performers,
and on this account the success of last
evenings entertainment must be credited
entirely to the excellent company in
whose hands it had been placed. 1t was
an evening Of INSTRUMENTATION Of
beautiful music, revelations of graceful
motion and pose, revelations Of hand
some scenery, revelations of pretty forms
and faces, in TACT, the revelation of an
opera whose beauties have been buried
and blemished by the performances of
other companies.
There was large audience present,
and it was an audience of whose approval
the singers might well be proud. That its
approval was given (or rather WON, it
need not be said. The applause was
hearty from the first, and before the
close OF the piece it showed warmth
not often found in a Salt Lake audience.
OF course the interest centered in the
charming Lillian Russell, who made her
first appearance on the Salt Lake stage
last evening Much had been expected
OF her. There was no disappointment.
Those who had seen her in other roles,
where the requirement was chic, in
which she is so pre-eminent, must have
been surprised at her quiet, composed
manner in the part OF Phillis. Her con-
ception was a good one, and it brought
out all the sweetness in the part to an
extent quite detrimental to the occupants
of orchestra chairs. But beautiful as
Miss Russell is, her beauty and grace
can hardly be compared with the sweet,
flexible voice which she controls so per-
fectly. Every number she sang brought
out some new beauty. Her notes do not
jump from her throat; they simply flow
with smoothness almost wonderful, and
no matter how abruptly the note is
| finished, there is no sign whatever Of
anything harsh or in the least rough.
The lady was so entirely unassuming
that it is safe to say that not half OF the
number present fully know how much
they owe to her part in the evenings
success.
OF Zelda Seguin, less need be said.
She has been seen here often before and
she has place permanently reserved in
the hearts OF all Salt Lake theatre goers.
Her deep rich voice never sounded better
than in the beautiful numbers allotted to
the Fairy Queen. Her first solo was an
entertainment in itself and like all follow
ing, it was vociferously re-demanded.
The lady's costume was particularly rich
and appropriate and altogether she was
an ideal queen.
Jarbeau was a disappointment, but
whether it was the fault of her voice, or
the fault of the music, it would be diff
cult to suggest. Beautiful as the music
is, it has popularity whose beauties are
only brought out by voice peculiarly
fitted to it. Jarbeau will be heard to-
| night as Yum Yum and it would be we'll
to reserve Judgment until she is heard in
this part.
AIR. Ryley makes the part of the Lord
Chancellor one continual cause of merri.
ment. He is very original, and with
every natural qualification, it is not sur.
prising that he should make so great q
success. Ryley was always encored.
DUNCAN made a success of the rather
tame part of Strephon, and brought out
all there was in it. This is not saying
much, but the gentleman's abilities could
not be tested by such part. His voice
is sweet, strong and clear, and with more
opportunity there is no doubt that he
would fairly shine
Nash, Hillard and Boudinot sang tc
perfection, and did we'll all the acting
required OF them.
The choruses, both male and female
were strong and clear, and won good
share OF the applause. Every member
was easy on the stage, and their action
as well as their singing did much TOWARD
the evenings success.
The company appears for the second
time tonight, and will present the evel
popular "Mikado."