Telegram-herald., 1890-02-26

Genie Opera at PoweFs' sed ths bias
aud the Gray at Redmondss

jules 1rauas opera company sang
themselves into popular favor AZ Pew
ers' last evening IN Zulbikis' pleasing
opera "AmoritA." The music abo0nds
with catchy, sparkling melody, and
VAS on the whole given 4 spirited and
animated Interpretation. 1he choruses
are particularly fortunate in beng as
signed airs that are commonly called
popular. The work of the ensemble
Mas happy and foreibleand VAS marked
with measure Of strength above the
average, IN travelling opera companies.
Mr.. Grau's organization is fairly well
trained and principals and ehoruses
succeed IN giving smooth and attract
I've presentation. There Is much II the
music TO inspire them TO good work, as
the tune Is easy and the theme de
lclous and infatuating. Miss Marie
Greenwood a. Amorita, sings with con-
fldence, has the advantage of knowing
how 20 act, and appreciates the value
OF carrying herself gracefully. Miss
AIdrlcn, buxom blonde, WAS IN dash
ING mood as Angelo, and Miss
Bernard won some attention as Forte
bracclo. Mr. Gulberson sang Fra Bonn
barda IN manner that was artistic.
and was conscientious enough 10 use
the mlnutest details 70 good advantage.
A low comedian is by custom, il seems,
indispensable TO comic opera, and
Montjoy Walker got all he could out of
Castrucci and besides introduced some
bright bits of comedy that was not
down in the lbretto. The company Is
strong as whole, and the production
received good support from the orches-
tratlon OF Director Lawson and his CO.
laborers. "Amorlta" will be repeated
this afternoon at popular prices. To-
night the most popular comic opera
success of the season, "The Brigands," /"
will be offered. This is the piece de re-
sistance of the Grau Company's roper
tory.
"The Blue and the Gray" is the title
of drama, now being played at Red
mond's, and assumed in n certain de-
gree to be constructed on incidents Of
the war. 1t was written by the late
Elliott Barnes, an author who achieved
some success az producer OF llgnt
plays. He was among the first to go INTO
the great conflict for material with
which TO build drama. The title Is,
however, trifle misleading, as the IN
terest is really centered III the adven-
ture of a gallant Yankee captain and an
ideal Southern girl, who fall in love on
sight. Their destiny and hope is fire.
quently IN jeopardy, owing TO the con-
fusion and exigencies of war. Some of
the characters are well drawn within
natural bounds, while others, notably
FItZBaker, are made to talk too much
and contribute moth ing to the action or
motive. FitzBaker is, indeed, an Of
fense, and should be cut out entirely.
There IS not a particle of wit TO IT and its
success lies merely in imposing on the
time of a very patient audience. Mr..
Murdoch, as Mark Stanley, acted with
carefulness and earnestness, and Mr..
Kline was most patriotic veteran of
1912. Sam Ryan, as Dennis Pagan,
gave very clever and life-llke person-
alton, while J. w. McAndrcws, as Josh,
offered really a creation IN the presen-
tation of a Southern plantation negro.
Miss Pierce had a heroic and lovable
character in Ruth. She imposed it
with discreet artistic coloring, and en-
listed deep sympathy, as it Is a charac-
teriZation that must be admitted, not
only for It's purity of construction as
we'll as its nobility of purpose. The
scenery is appropriate and attractive,
and the services of the Grand Rapids
Guards contribute considerably to real
ism of many of the situations. There
Will be matinees tomorrow and Satur-
day