The Washington critic., 1890-02-23


prima donna has never been in better
voice, her company is excellent, the
orchestra powerful and the scenery
and costumes of the very best. More.
over, the repertoire is remarkably
promising. 1t Is as follows:
Monday "Ernani,n
Tuesday. Grown Diamonds"
Wednesday Matnee..."."B ."Bohemian Girl.n
wednesday" y",,,.,,.,,,,.,..,.,,....,.,.. Martina.
Thursday" ay"",."",","".."."l Trovatore."
FRIDAY norma
Saturday Matlnee..."" Romeo and Juliet
saturday .'.r.....'.,.,,,,,,'',..,'..',, "Mlkado"
One of the surest tests of opera, or of
any performance by which to pre-
judge 1t is the unbiased and unin-
tluenced opinions that are passed upon
it. If this be q sure guide, then the
opinions that have so far been passed
upon Abbott opera this season estab.
lish beyond a reasonable doubt the high
character Of the Abbott performances.
Columns Of direct evidence, all newly
given, have been quoted to prove the
conclusion, and from the most reputa-
bic journals in the country. In brief,
however, they have said: emma
Abbott is doing the most brilliant work
of her life" "We have heard Emma
Abbott annually almost ever since she
began h er operatic career and never be-
fore did she sing with such power and
brilliancy as she did last even
ing" 'Hrhe presentation of the opera
cErnaniO was simply magnificent" "
The Worth dresses worn by Miss Alb
bott were bewildering dreams.
"Never have we heard in English
opera such a ch orus and orchestra. "
Miss Abbott never had such a power
full company"
All this goes TO testify to the worth
of Miss Abbott's performances, but
more than all do Washingtonians who
have heard her know of her merit
from personal experience. She has
been here before, and always received
a cordial greeting. This time she
comes with strong company, present
ing attractions of known merit and is
assured of successful weeks visit.
With her are Miss Mirella, Miss An
nandale, Montegriffo, Michelena,
Pruette, Broderick, Allan, Ready and
Karl. Carl Martens will direct the new
chorus and orchestra.
STUART RoBsoN COMING. Stuart
Robson in his new comedy, IAN Arrant
Knave," begins an engagement at AL
baugh's Grand Opera House week of
February "a.
That Mr.. Robson is a comedian of
marked ability few need be told, and
now that he has separated from his
former partner, Mr. Crane, he will, of
course, use his best endeavors to in
crease the good opinion always held of
him by the public. "An Arrant
Knave" had its first performance at the
Chicago Opera, House Monday night.
In speaking of the event the Herald of
that city says:
"'An Arrant Knave' is a comedy in
blank verse, illuminated with fifteenth
century costumes in nineteenth century
| humor. Set in an environment OF
beautiful scenes, and frightened by all
that stage art can contribute to dra.
matte production, this comedy, from
the prolific pen of Steele Mackaye, was
first exploited last evening, under the
most favorable conditions,
"The Chicago Opera. House, thai
scene of so many triumphs, was crowded
full of appreciative people, and, tc
crown all Stuart Robson was the cen
trail figure of the new play. This alone
was most potent circumstance in his
favor, since the comedian whose name
has so long cen synonym for al
that is amusing in light comedy is il
his own person an army with banners
when a dramatic field is to be won
And then the occasion borrowed sig
nificance from the fact not alone tina
the play was new, but from the othe
circumstance that this was Mr.. Rob
sons first appearance as single star
Obviously, nothing less than a heart,
feeling of sympathy for the new ven
ture could prevail in city where Their
is every disposition to encourage nativ,
productions and American artists, an(
this was undoubtedly the animatinl
spirit of the audience last evening. Mr.
Robson's appearance was the signal 70
prolonged applause, and if he had en-
tertained any doubts as to his status il
this city they were speedily and effect
ually dissipated."
"THE GoNDoLIERs." +" - To morrow
evening will mark the reopen
ing of Lincoln Music Hall 70
the first production in this city of Gil
bert and Sullivan's new comic opera
"The Gondoliers," by the company OF
ganized expressly for this opera by MI
John Stetson.
"The Gondoliers" have emphaticall
made hit in New York, where it
permanent attraction at Palmer's The
atre. Mr.. Stetson's company has C:
sayed it with signal success in Brook
lyn and Baltimore, and will soon pre-
sent it at the Globe Theatre, Boston.
Mr. Stetson holds the sole right
produce THE Gondoliers" in the A
lantic States and Canada. This con
pany has been rehearsed by Il stag
manager sent direct from the SavO
Theatre, London, and the scenery an
costumes are duplicated from the orig
nal London designs.
The opera is, therefore presente
in strict accordance with the instru'
, tons of the author and composer.
The company comprises a list {
, bright names, some old favorites of ii
. public, others newly introduced befol
: the footlights.
| The cast is as follows:
, The Duke of Plaza'Toro, "a Grandee
Inirl Ms attandani Mr. MaicoI
Observation-Disclosures. Geo Lau
, Marco Palmiero I Mr.. II. Hillial
Giuseppe Venetian Mr.. j, j, Rata
,, Antonio......... .,,.Mr. Walk
| Francesco...... ( Condo Mr Eide
Giorgio......... liers. .... Mr.. Hadl
| Annnibale. ...... ,,.... Mr.. Cla
! Ottavio,......., ,..,..Mr, Wel
| The Duchess of Plaza Toro. o......,....,.....
' ........,,,.........,....,M Miss Mabella Bak
, Casilda (her daughter, er,.,"......,..,......,'
l ,......,........,...,,M Miss Bettina Padelfo
Tessa......... Miss Celia El
. Fiametta..... ; Contadine, : Miss Remse
, Nittorria......, ......Nliss CO
y Inez (the Kings Foster MOTHER, Miss Irw
b and
G Gianetta. a.,....,.,.s.,,,,.'.MlsS Lllllah Cru
Chorus of Gondoliers and COntadine, Me
alarms, Heralds and Pages.
- Nice DoJa1fnr1 will bo racprpiypI