Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-12-04
PIRATES OF PENzANcE.
To BE Presented BY the Choral Club at
the Opera House.

The people in Wilmington have treat
in store for them Wilmington ALWAYS
was partial to comic opera and companies
coming here have never failed to secure
large houses. Recently the town has
been denied the pleasure Of gratifying
this taste as there has not been an opera
! company of any real merit here for some
time. Last evening a JOURNAL reporter
! dropped into the Wilmington College Of
Music and found the Choral Club in full
/ blast rehearsing their new opera the
Pirates Of Penzanee, to be produced at
the Opera House by the club on the even
ngs Of January 8 and 10. II was the
clubs first night with dramatic teacher
and they entered into the spirit of the
acting with the vim and earnestness Of
professionals. Their instructor is w. 4
Noir Of Philadelphia Mr.. NOR is an Old
actor and the best evidence Of his ability
Is that he drilled the original Church
Choir Pinafore Company. Old play goers
may remember how we'll he took the
part Of Dick Deadeye in that best Of
travelling comic opera companies.
1t can be safely said after what was
seen last evening that the Pirates will 30
produced here as they have never been
before, and it must be a source Of gratif
cation that there is SO much musical and
dramatic talent in this city.
John r, Bonner makes the ideal pirate
KING with his strong bass voice and easy,
frank manners. Gilberts intention
N creating the part evidently
was to portray the character of bold
and brave leader OF desperate men. stop
ping at nothing but still having warm
heart, frank, generous nature
The major General in the hands of N
Dushane Coward is mastery handled and |
the Board Of Directors in assigning TINT |
part To him could not have done better. |
Mr. Coward singing is treat His |
stage action is also excellent If there is
superior excellence in this latter respect
John " Bratton as sergeant Of police
possesses It. W. r. Walters we'll takes
the role Of Frederic, the pirate appren-
tice. Miss Mary Thielman's voice is
treat at all times, but rs Ruth a pratt
cal maid Of all work, she promises to sur
pass herself Mrs Florence Fisher Miss
Kate Bisselle and Miss Emma Beck are the
major generals daughters. The excel.
lence Of Mrs. Fisher us a soprano has been
before demonstrated. The last two ladies'
will make their first appearance in a part
IN this opera. Miss Bisselle cannot bo
otherwise than popular Her manners
IRE easy and graceful and she possesses a
rich soprano voice Of much volume and
sweetness. Miss Beck as isabella will
are for that part excellently, if her first
lttempt last evening betokens anything
The chorus is superb and well drilled.
{ is very large and the music rendered
asst evening was better than any chorus
n any comic opera company that sang in
his city within year past. The success
ttained by the club is due in a large
Measure to its musical director, Professor
J. 3. Rhoads Professor Rhoads has been
intiring in his efforts at training the
Tub and the members feel grateful to
i'm for the interest he takes.
Mr. Noir will attend each rehearsal IN
Y the production. There will be another
ehearsal tomorrow evening.