The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-10-31
Opera House.

The Mac Collin Opera troupe left not
one condition of their preceding repre-
sensations unfulfilled during their stay
here of last week In the face of the
poorest encouragement well imaginable,
and the most evident disappointment,
they met their engagement with the
most commendable composure. The
house that greeted "Falkan on Thurs
day night was surprisingly Indifferent,
considering the reputation of Staunton
as Il music-loving people and the we'll
known merits of the piece upon the
boards. Notwithstanding these draw
backs, it is impossible TO remember fal-
ka with anything but delight. This
story of German life and love, though
by no means intricate in plot, is pointed
with crispness and originality. that in
the hands of a force so we'll adapted and
evenly balanc renders it's denonement
enthralling Miss Fannie ID. Hall as
sweet, inspiring Falka, and Mr.. Mac
of a coterie of very brilliant artists,
each one a star. Lay Brother Peli-
can simply beggars description. The
browning touches were put to his capac-
ity as a vocalist and clever comedian by
his inimitable song, 81 Wanted That
Badly" Mr.. Walter Ford's matchless
baritone rendition of .sMarguerite," for
which he has acquired SO much popu-
larity, will long be remembered with
ecstacy. The chorus is very complete,
is well trained, picturesquely grouped,
and interspersed with a fair share of
good looks. The costuming goes great
ways towards accentuating the realistic
effect of the opera. The scenic effects
are excellent.
At the matinee on Friday afternoon,
although the paucity of the audience
was pitiful in comparison with the ex-
pectations, Patience was as bravely pro
duced as though the house had been
crowded. and the absorbant attention
accorded by the appreciative few who
were there, and their discreet applause,
compensated, in some measure. for the
scarcity of their numbers.
To the part of Patience, Miss Fannie
her the character is evidently play work. /
Mr.. Mac Collin as the original Bun !
thorne, and Miss Augusta Roche as the
original Lady Jane of Patience, have
lost nothing from the repeated repeti- |
tons which their parts have sustained
in this opera.
While we have every incentive to wish
for another visit from the Mac Collin
Opera Company, we scarcely dare init
mate that it's force will speedily recover
from the effects of the ''cold wave that
seems to have capsized the Opera House
just at present. We can scarcely ac-
count for the existing state of affairs,
unless it is that in this particular in
stance the means and time of many of
our citizens have been recently enlisted
in a very worthy and spacious home en-
terprise. Apart FROM this, however, it
does seem that our people are culpabiy
backward of late in recognizing the ex
traordinary advantages possessed by
the nature of the theatrical diversions
afforded them.
We owe, as every body knows, the
select nature of the dramatic and ope-
ratio amusements that are induced to
come amongst us to the earnest and con-
slant endeavors presented by our very
efficient manager, Mr.. Olivier, whose eff
forts to create creditable standard at
the Opera House have been more siren
uous this season than ever. But unless
the support accorded him in the future
is to be surpassed in cordially by that
displayed in the recent past we may pre-
sumo that he will very often be put to
the blush, to say nothing of the pecu-
mary embarrassment attending these
delinquencies. We would say, Come,
let us render unto Caesar the things that
are Caesars.