National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-06
THE AMERICAN OPERA.
Close OF tho Season at Albaugh's-BriI-
liant Performances of "LaSme" and
tho UFIvinp nutohmanU

liant Performances of "LalSme" and
the "Flying Dutohman."
Nothing could havebetter shown the uhde
niablo strength Of the American Opera Com
pany than the operas chosen for performance
yesterday Delibe's "Lakmo," an exquisite
opera by tho famous French composer, rich in
fensuous melody, with beautiful oriental coll
oring both in the orchestral accompaniment and
in the mise en- scene; and Wagners grandly I'M
pressiye opera, The Flying pntchman, with
orchcstralion. That these operas, so widely
cuntrasted in style, each received n faultlcss
and oharncterlstio representation, showed at
once the wonderful resources of this Organlza-
iiIakme" was given before large and most
enthusiastic. audience 10 the afternoon, aud
was admired for Its own Intrinsic beauties for
the excellent work of all concerned in the
representation, and for the superb scenery.
Such beautiful scenes rs that Of the garden OF
the Brahmln, In the first act, painted by
Charles Graham, and that Of the jungle, by
Homer Emmens have certainly never boon
seen here before. II was the first performance
OF "Iakme'' here, and tho opera made an i'm.
mense hit Rarely is 80 much applause heard
az matinee performance as that accorded TO
the principal members and principal artists In
I.akme even strengthened the fine impression
she made In 1.-THE Marriage OF Jeanette"
singingwith rare brilliancy of execution and
acting the part with alternate force aud
tenderness. Mfr. Candidus, in the lead
ing tenor role, was In excellent
voice; his bearing as an English officer was
distinguished, and his pure and vibrant tones
came out with telling effect In the duos with
Lakme. Jessie Bartlett-Davis used her sono-
rous coDtralto voice with beautiful effect Ia the
duos with Lakme in the first act, and Alonzo
i. Stoddard made one Of the principal hits OF
the performance In the superb aria for barytone
IN the second act Messrs. Lee and Fesscndcn,
| Misses May Fielding, Helen Dudley Campbell,
and Kate BeDsberg contributed well to the
success Of the performance. Tho chorus and
orchestra, led by Mr. Thomas with rare taste
| and due attention TO the delicate requirements
| of the score, were at their best. The ballet was
| imposing, and the spectacular display OK
tremely liberal and carried ont with true ar
The performance of 1.-THE Flying Du;chman"
| In the evening was n triumphant ending 10
the brief but successful season Of the Amer
| lean opera. Tho auditorium was packed to
| the doors with brilliant audience, who were
| not slow to appreciate that they were hearing
the finest performance Of 1.-The Flying Dutch.
| man" ever given here. II Is impossible In the
limited space of this article to do Justice to the
| wonderful representation, both from musical
and dramatic standpoint, or to, properly do.
scribe in o few words the marvellous mechan-
ical and electrical effects that made the scene
realism. Miss Juchs seuta was the best In
dividual performance of tho season. The
| part calls for unusual vocal aud dramatic
ability, and we know of no artist In this ooun.
try who could so fully aud so beautifully have
filed the requirements of the role. In appear
ance she was an ideal Seuta; In voice she was
at her best, and the tenderness and gentleness
Of her acting will not soon be forgotten. The
long and fervent scene with the Dutchm1n in
the second act was superbly given, and re-
ceived with torrent Of applause. Mr.. Lud.
wig; the new barytone, who has a voice of
noblel timbre, made splendid impression rs
the Dutchman, and at once Showed himself to
be an artist OF the first rank.
Myron Whitney's unriyaled basso was heard
| in Its well'known riches and psofundty us
Daland, and w. II. Fessenden made a success
as the steersman; Miss Campbell gave with
care and good effect the small part of Mary,
and Mr.. Appleby was acceptable In the role OF
Erik. Mr.. Theodore Thomas led the orchestra
in mastery manner, and inspired his fine
body Of musicians TO their best work; such
of '"1he Flying Dutchman" could not be eS.
celled. The scenic effects were marvellous; the
lightning, the gloomy clouds speeding DER the
of the storm, and tho sailing OF the
ships in and out Of the harbor were superby
managed. The triumph Of American opera
in Washington was complete when the vast
audience remained to applaud and call out the
artists at the end OF the performance; The
company leaves this morning for Baltimore
where splendid welcome awaits them
Among those present last night were Secretary
and Mrs. Whitney, who occupied lower box
as did also Gen. sheridan and party: The
parquet was again thronged with the fashion
dienee were Senators Harrison, Fair
Eustls, Cullom, Secretary Lamar, Mr.. PER-,
belmont, Hon. Benz. Leievre, Chief Justice
Waite. Judge Mac Arthur, Hon. JEFF Chandler
Col. McAlister, Mrs. Annie Louise Powell, Mr
Wolf, Col. Corkhill, Hon. Norris Peters, Mr.
Chas. Graham, Assistont Secretary Fairchild
Stilson Hutchins Il. w. Fox, and numerous
congressman, army officers, and members o
NEW NATIONAL THEArER.
McNish. johnson, and Slaviu's minsrels
under the management of w. S. Cleveland
will appear at tine New National next week
and II may be safely predicted that, with thei
galaxy OF stars and refined speciality artists,
"big BOOM will be inaugurated. Among tn
and composer, Frank Howard. "silence ant
Fun" with Frank McNish in the dnal role
need not be commented upon, as he must b.
seen 70 be appreciated; Bob slayin, Carol
twenty-five others will assist in making lif
gay for all admirers OF the burntcork drama
Sale OF seats commences to-daya at the box office
KNIGHTS or PYTHIAs.
The benefit performance of Washington Di
| vision No. ], Knights of Pythlas, takes plac,
tonight at Albaugh's Grand Opera House
| l.. Downing as Othello and Mr. j. w, Albaugl
as Iago. The balance of the cast is printed II
another column. The sale of seats has alread!
reached q high figure, and the event vii
talent can do, and at the same time assist
worthy object by their presence tonight.
ALBAUGH's GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
Next week the season of summer opera open
at Albaugh's, with the Jennie Winston troup
in Fra Diavalo," for which sale of seats com
| mences to-day.
NEW FoUSDLrSo ASYLUM.
, We again call attention to tho benefit for tn
new founding asylum, to be given At a.
baugh's Grand Opera House on Friday, May
and Saturday matinee, when Gilbert's popula
comedy. Engaged" will be produced by OK
cellent Washington talent. We hope the goo
cause will receive the liberal patronage 1t dc
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