The Washington critic., 1886-06-15
At TIE OPERA.
An Excellent Performance of "The
MiI.nInv hy fha Ict nj rn

An Excellent Performance of "The
Mikado" by the McCaull Company.
The opening Of the National Theatre last
night for summer opera was an event well
worth remembering on account OF the
really excellent manner in which "The
Mikado" was presented. No less than
seven companies have given this opera In
this city, but never have the musical beau
lies nor the stage situations Of the opera
been brought out as they were last night.
The company is numerically strong and of
rare individual excellence. enc feature of
the performance was quite noticeable and
deserves the highest praise-the enunciation
Of the principals was clear and distinct, so
that no word of the libretto was lost. Mr..
Digly Bells Kok0 was revelation In the
stage business, while his singing Is
far above the average OF operate
comedians. Mr.. MacDonough is
the first real tenor who has ap-
peared here rs Nan kipoo; of fine presence
and good action, he did full justice to the
part. Mr.. Ham Adams delighted his friends
as PiSh Tush his improvement both In
singing and acting being very marked. Mr..
Plunkett's POO-Bdh was carefully done.
Though his voice is light, it meets the re-
quirements Of the part, and is more than
compensated for by his clever acting. Mr..
Dungan's UikddO was far above the aver
age and well received. OF the female char
acters Laura Joyce Bell is the strongest,
her powerful rich voice showing off to
splendid advantage in the music Of kdtishd.
Miss Post has pleasant voice, pretty
hgure, and made very favor
able impression as Yum Yum Mrs.
Nellie McCartee made a charming Iti
sing Although the part is not wholly
adapted to her voice. she did 1t full justice,
and charmed her friends not only by her
singing, but also by her perfect freedom on
the stage. Miss Walters made q good
PeepJO, and will no doubt soon be a favorite
here. The chorus is strong and well
drilled. The business given by the com
paDy is in many respects new, and reflects
credit on the stage manager, Mr.. ii. A.
Crpps. The audience was very large,
'standing room onlyn being announced be-
fore the performance began. That the per-
formance was thoroughly enjoyed was
manifest from the numerous and emphatic
encores. Summer opera at the National is
an assured success.
LA File de Mime. Angot."
The usual large and appreciatve audi
ence witnessed the first presentation OF
Lecocq's ia File de Madame Angot," at
| Albaugh's Grand Opera-House last night
| The music was given to good advantage. All
| Of the old favorites, Misses Winston, May,
Searle, Meyer, DeRue, and Messrs. Fay,
Hogan, Allen and Hampshire, came in for
their share Of the applause. The floral
offerings were especially handsome, one Of
the bouquets, made up Of Jacquemnot roses,
being large enough to cover q large table.
| The opera was handsomely set and will run
through the week; being the best Of the Sc
ries, 1t will no doubt meet with hearty sup
| port. The manners and costumng of the
opera were historically correct, yet there
were those In the audience familiar only
| with the works Of Gilbert Il Sullivan, or
| Audran, who seemed to find great cause for
| mirth in the faithful representation OF
| French manners Of the last century. I'm
der the circumstances, Miss Winston pre-
served creditable self-possession. The
| familiar airs of the opera were all encored,
| being sung with spirit. Despite the
"Frenchyness' of the opera 1t will doubt.
| less draw well.