San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-27
ABBOTT'S ERNANI.
Another Splendid Audience to Hear
a Fine Opera.

Fine Opera.
VerdPs grand opera, Ernani, il
four acts, was a triumph last night
for the Emma Abbott company, and
the large audience present had very
encouraging effect on the singers. AS
Miss Abbott had promised, the colors
were warm, the costumes rich and the
voices all we'll suited to the parts
assigned to them. "Ernani" is from
Victor Hugo's Hermann, the charming
| tale of the outlawed nobleman OF
| Spain, who loved the noble niece OF
Don Ruy de Silva, won her and
then murdered himself because he
had sworn to die when de Silva
babe, in recognition of his grand hon.
or in saving his life. Elvira Miss
AbbotG as the petrOthed of Don Ruy,
was beautiful in her rich costumes,
and sang, positively, at her best.
She was frequently encored and al
ways responded gracefully.
Montegriffo, as Ernani, was in fine
voice and sang the part we'll, but Mr..
Pruette, as Don Carlos, the king, had
nearly all the work to do, and was in
consequence accorded highest houors
from the audience. Mr.. Broderick, as
Don Ruy, was also in splendid condi-
ton. The Ricardo of Mr.. Ready,
though minor part, was we'll hand
led by this young man, who has
very fine voice and one day will make
his mark in the world.
The costuming. and grouping of
the chorus was pretty and effective.
The opening chorus of mOuntaineers
was splendid, and the swinging Choir
us beginning of act 4th was also fine
in volume, color and general effect.
The septette, act LIST. of Abbott, Mi
rella, Broderick, Pruette, Montegriffo,
Ready and Karl also deserves men,
ton.
Tonight Bellini's opera Norma" in
two acts, will be sung. This Is beau
tiful opera, and one OF the best in the
company's repertoire.
"Rose of Castillo Saturday matinee)
is of the brilliantly romantic order, a
legend of Castillian romance and roy
al betrothal, conspiracy, intrigue, hu-
NOR ard devotion, as luxuriant in
dress as it is brilliant in music and
scene.
"The Yeomen of the Guard" is one
of the most unique and humorous in
plot and scene that Gilbert has ever
conceived, and is set to music in Sir
Arthur Sullivan's best vein. 1t is
given not as mere burlesque, but as
grand opera, and is successful under
the Abbott version. This is the fare
we'll opera of the week, with Emma
Abbott as Elsie Maynard and Walter
Allen as Jack Point.
NOTES.
Miss Abbott says she is very happy
to return to San Antonio and receive
such cordial welcome. She was
driving about the city yesterday af-
ternoon. She is delighted with her
protege, Miss Mirella, and the two
ladies off the stage are like sis ters.
The map for next season is now be-
ing planned by Miss Abbott and her
director, Mr.. Pratt, who Is at the
Menger with his wife, a charming
lady, who, like Mrs. Montegriffo, does
not appear in the company.
MIR. Peekey, the flute, has been with
Abbott II years.
Carl Martens deserves the appella-
ton, a thorough orchestra director.
Geo. Fortune, cello, received tele-
gram from Nashville, yesterday,
stating that he had become the father
of fine Daby boy on Christmas
day, his wife, known as Bertha
Fricke, who is well known In San
Antonio, being now in that city. Of
course, George did the right thing
in celebrating the event after the
opera last night.
Mirella is an American girl, born
in Chicago and finished for the Stage
in Detroit. Abbott is also native
of the City by the Lakes.
Col. RoDbias entertained the male
stars at the club last night.
1t will be good news to the little
ones, aye, and big ones, too, TO hear
that Little Lord Fontleroy will be
presented at the opera house Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday nights, and by
the same company which has made
such furore in San Francisco, New
Orleans and this week with our Gal
weston neighbors. Mr.. T. III. French,
of the Broadway theatre, Grand OPP
era house and new Madison Square
Garden, New York, is the manager of
the company, and San Antonio is one
of the few places chosen in the state
for the production of the world-fa-
nous and beautiful play. There are
two children with the company who
alternate in the title role OF Lord
Fontleroy, and both are described
as phenomenal by our eastern and
western contemporaries. The play
has been written and talked about
more generally and favorably than
this pretty story, and here as else
where, it is sure to have q hearty re-