National Republican., 1888-05-29
ADJUSTMENTS.
ALBAuGn's GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

AIEANbH bNAND ofEhA hoIsE'
COL McCaull's Company gave "Thc Bcggar
student" last night as the last Of the series Of
brilliant productions for the present engage.
mCnt. The Bcgear student" is almost
novelty to the people Of Washington, having
been given here only three nights at former
engagement of the same company. II Is by
Milluckcr. author Of "'rhc Black lIussar,' and
Is suggestive of that opera In places but not
unulcasantly so. The composer has pcculinri.
ties uf style that would be noticeable In any
of his work. The Bcggar student Is lively
In action tuneful, and picturesque. The COS
tunes are novel and strking-somc Of them
very pretty, notably that worn by Miss
Niurola in the first act, and the same might
be said of those. worn by Messrs. Wllko
act. The cast included Mr.. wilko as the icg
GHr student, Mr. DUNCAN as his companions
w. Bel as Cen Ollcndorf, Mr.. Cripps as the
.lailgr, Miss Manola as Laura, Miss Meyers as
Ronislana, Mrs. Bell as the Countess ami
mother Of Laura and Bunis lana, Miss Knapp
~ Ensign Puppcnburg, and Miss Petit as Eva
Mr.. Wilke sang admirably and was In a thor.
oughly congcnial part. Mr.. Bell rs the brag.
gadocio general was quite amusing, but he Is
better in a charncterof the drOll sort, like that
he lad in Indiana or the BLACK, Hussar
AZ times last night he threw the audience, into
ruars of laughter Mr.. DUNCAN was entirely
satisfactory, Mrs. Bell was capital. II is the
best part she has been seen In here.
Her acting in the scene of the first act with
the landlord was exquisite. Miss Manola
looked very charming, and sang as well as she
looked. Like Mrs BELL, She has the best part
in this opera in which she has yet been seen
here; She bad fine solo In the first act,and she
and Mr.. Wilke had great duet in the second
Miss Movers was quite pleasing as usual.
Miss Knapp, as the ensign hal not much real
work TO do, but was very easy and graceful.
She Is a thoroughly conscientious artist. The
opera gave great satisfaction. The close OF
tile second act Is a masterpiece. II even sur
passes the finale of the second act In Tho
Black llussar.'
NEw NATIONAL TnEATER.
The regular summer opera season was in
augllrated at the New National last night and
II was also the first appearance of the Grau
OpeIa Comiquc company in this city. The
"irhe Queens Lace Handkerchief" and itS
measure of difficulty exceeds by a large de.
gree other works. of the waltz king Miss
Lillian Conway, who essayed the role of the
charming king, brought TO the role the neccS.
sary gratuitics of an excellent voice and good
figure. Miss Murtha Porteous, the queen, IL
possessed Of clear soprano voice, ana her
singing of the many little gems of song was
Marchioness and Miss Minnie Dilthey, Donna
Irene.
The latter is very pretty and graceful
little, lady. and has q rich contralto voice,
which she well knows how to use, Ar. Brud.
erCk, as the Prime Minister, received a de.
served encore for his rendition of an interpo'
lated song, THE Wine Drinkers Mr.. Camp
bell as Cervantcs was very satisfactory The
coronation march IN act third, led by Miss Julia
Earnest, wasa taking feature of the opera.
The chorus Is large and the concerted pieces
were given with requisite volume and depth
Of tone, The attendance last evening was
quite large.
The action Of the opera takes place at the
court of Portugal during the year 1870 The
prime minister of that kingdom, who Is In
league with Philip IL Of Spain, wields almost
absolute power, and TO retain II he creates
discOrd between the youthful king and his
queen. Cervantes, the poet, Is appointed
reader to her aieSty, and her inexperienced
heart becomes captivated with the bard, and
she writes on her kerchief, "a queen loves
YOU" and placing Il In n book gives II to him,
The book Is seized and Cervantes arrested.
His release Is effected ON the plea of insanity,
The prime minister plays his last card and
shows the king the handkerchief cont aiming the
compromising sentence, The queen is sent to a
nunnery and Cervantes again imprisoned, but
cffecting his escape he Joins the brigands. and
with them captures the queen journeying 10
the convent. The king while hunting strays
upon the party and mutual explanations fol-
low.