Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-25
PINAF0RF, AH0Y!
Gilbert and SuIlivan's Opera Revived in
Good Earnest-Twelve Temptations af
the Bijou Under the Lash-The Academy

Gilbert and suIlivan's Opera Revived in
Good Earnest-Twelve Temptations at
the Bijou Under the Lash-The Academy
Attractions.
H. NJ. S. Pinafore sailed into the Grand
Opera House last night with all sails set, yards
manned and colors flying, and the cheers which
greeted the gallant ship showed that her popu-
larity is as great as ever, and the new crew as
able as any that has gone before to handle
her. In plain English, Gilbert and Sulli-
vans comic opera H. M. S. Pin
afore'' was splendidly performed. in a
setting of exquisite and extraordinary beauty.
and enthusiastically received by a large
audience. 1t may be said without fear of con-
tradiction that taking the performance by the
Duff Company as whole, ''Pinafore" has
never been interpreted better, here or any
where else. In saying this we have in our
memory the best renderings by American and
English Notwithstanding that which
under the personal direction of author and COM
poser produced the opera in London. There may
be individual parts which are not equal in in
depreciation to those of preceding organ1Za-
tions, but we repeat and with emphasis. that
as whole ''Pinafore" was never better sung,
acted and staged than 1t was last night. If in
one particular more than anoJher this pro-
duction excels it is in the work of the chorus.
Grand opera seldom has been able to command
the services of such a chorus, in which
the individual voices are SO fresh
and so cultivated, the blending and balancing
so nicely harmonious. and of which the volume
is SO magnificently sonorous. This is dealing in
laudatory superlatiVes we know, but when
really good thing comes to Pittsburg theater
and this desert has few oaseS-we deem it only
just to our readers to let them know it in plain
and unmistakable terms. The possibility and
as an artsc f5G% financial sHeh we
revival OF Gilbert and Sullivan's
operas have been repeatedly urged in these
columns. MIR. Duff is the tilst man to make
the experiment, and he makes it on such an
imposing scale that he cannot but command
success He is to he congratulated upon pos
sessing the requisite sense and nerve for such
project.
1t is rather late in the day to rehearse the
peculiar qualities which from the start made
"Plnafore" phenomenal success IN this
country and across the sea. Every schoolboy,
or more certainly every schoolboy's father and
mother, to say nothing of his sisters and his
cousins and his aunts. knows most of the words
and all the airs in "Pinafore" by heart. Per-
haDs, then, it is best to say that in this pre-
sentation the lines and the music of "Pinafore"
are given in full, from the graceful opening
bars of the overture to the ola podrida
ensemble with which the opera closes. The or
chestra, led by Mr.. Julian Edwards, gave a
strong, tasteful and sympathetic rendering of
the score, which contains a multitude of gems
and not bar of commonplace music.
The cast is, to begin with. well balanced and
Ou pldne. merely lOE tue sake OIL max
ing our meaning clear, We may say that the
company which appeared here recently in
THE Gondoliers" was well balanced, but on n
low plane. "The Gondoliers," had it been sung
great hit surely. Digby Bell has distinct
affinity for such comedy as the Right Hon'b Die
Sir Joseph Porter, K. c. B., is designed to
afford. His dignity and his gold-braided coat
are equally stiff When he unbends at all it is
with conscious condescension. The barbed
shafts of Gilbert's wit all went home from
Mr.. Bells bow. 1t is again to Mr..
Bells advantage that his voice. in spite
of years of Ill treatment has not entirely disap-
peared. There is plenty of force and express
sion in Mr.. Mark Smiths Captain Corcoran,
and his WHAT, Never?'' solo shone conspicu.
ousIy against the rich backgrJ Jund furnished
by the chorus Mr.. Bassett's tenor is round
and mellow, and he sang with great spirit and
care the many lovely numbers which fall to the
share of Ralph RdckstraW.
The good looks and erect figure of Mr.. w. H.
Clark were not to be recognized in the re-
pulsive makeup of Dick Deddeye, but there
was no mistaking the deep rich tones of his
robust bass. Mr.. Clark shone particularly in
the duo with Captain CorcorGn-'Sing heyi
the gallant captain and the tar"-which was
encored with enthusiasm. He gave the part an
eccentric and clever rendering No one won
the audience more completely than MIR. Nc
Laughlin in the role of Bill BobStdy He sang
He is an Englishman" with wonderful effect
that the grand singing of the chorus height
ened.
We have taken the names as they come on
the programme or we should have mentioned
Miss Lily Posts delightful rendering of Jose
phi'le. In a dress of truly stunning crimson
the skirts accordion pattern-she looked charm
ing enough to turn the heads of a whole navy.
She sang with admirable taste and spirit;
catching the full merriment of the charac-
ter and never letting 1t drop for an in
slant. The Little Buttercup of Miss
Grace Atherton was thoroughly acceptable.
She possesses remarkably sweet and powerful
contralto. The other members of the cast were
perfect IN their work. AS we have said, the
chorus did splendid work. 1t numbers some 10
voices, and includes number of pretty girls.
The scene, the deck of the Pinafore in
Portsmouth harbor, was presented with ex-
traordinary reality. The sea all about
the ship was crowded with men-of-war.
riding at anchor. By skillful mechanism the
motion of the ocean was simulated, and the
heave and swell were like enough to nature to
make a sensitive mortal qualmish. The firing
of salutes from the feet on the First Lords
arrival was managed with great ingenuity.
When the night came on in the second act, the
presence of full moon and the twinking
lights on ship and shore MADE still more ro-
mantle picture. 1t is certain that "Pinafore"
never was set with such fidelity to nature be-
fore.