The morning call., 1890-11-18
THE THEATERS.
Hess Opera Achieves a Success
at the Orpheum.
Clara Morris In "odetts The Alcazar Stock
Makes Good Pley With "7-2o-s."
Dorothy" at the Tivoii-E:c.

The G. D. Hess Opera Company had q
grand reception at the Orpheum last even
ing An elite attendance crowded the thea
ter and made the visiting artists very CON-
Portable by the warmth of the general recep-
ton. Evidences Of unpreparednesS were
visible everywhere on the stage and in the
auditorium the singers had come too soon
it would appear for the management, but
not, as the performance of Verdis we'll
known and often played I'll Trovatore
proved, for the public. In all of the lead
ing principals, excepting, perhaps, the
contralto, Mr.. Hess has brought
good company with him, and
they would, by their excellent voices,
beautify and render endnrable the
most commonplace surroundings. In this
instance, there was a poverty OF scenery
and stage mounting, but what the public
more desired, wealth of lyric talent.
Everybody in the distribution, from Leonora
to Ruiz, was devoted to the best work at
command, and the audience recognized the
fact by almost tumultuous applause. "Such
a company in such theater!' was the eX-
preston OF surprise on every hand. But
the management promise to speedily I'M
prove the entourage and make the stage
and the auditorium worthy of the singers
who have appeared so suddenly and COM
paratively unannounced among US.
MISS FRANCESCA GUTHRIE,
The Leonora of the distribution, was the
special favorite of the evening distinction
she well mtrited, both by her magnificent
voice and her admirable action. She must
be classed as prima donna dramatica asso-
luta Her figure is of ample proportions.
aud her chest, like all the queens Of song
who have attained greatness on the lyric
stage, shows strength and endurance OF
voice. She made the audience wild by her
singing of "Tacea la Notte Placida," and
the "Di Tale Amor" in the first act,
and also in the trio with the Count and Man
rico. Her other numbers, in the course OF
the opera, were given to the full the ap-
plause they well deserved. Miss Guthrie'S
voice has a quality of richness as we'll as
strength and high range without impair
ment in any of its tones Her notes are
particularly clear and vibrant in the upper
register-in fact, the lower, middle and
higher registers are each, TO the ultimate,
satisfactory. She is remarkable singer,
gifted by nature and we'll equipped by art.
Her schooling Is perfect.
THE TENOR, ALBERT GUILE,
Has already been well accepted by this
public-at the time lie was here with Patti.
through an "alderman'S thumb ring" lie
is 10 taller row, but he is larger Side
ways" and with his increase OF adipose
tissue has retained the quality of voice that
made him desirable in the first place. His
''Deseria Sulia Terra" caught the audience
at once although they heard the romanza
without seeing the singer He came out
strong in NAL Resgendo' in the glen scene
with AZucena in the second act, and
also in the "D Quella Pira," where every
tenor is bound to take, ii he can, a high c.
Guile satisfied himself with the note below.
bat did SO with perfect mastery. He was
sweet, tender and pathetic in 'Ah. Che Ia
M0rte," filling it with the sad expression of
the occasion. The little tenor may be too
stout to make a romantic ManTicO, but lie Is
the troubadour vocally.
Mr.. WILLIAM MERTENs,
The BARITONE, carried bimselfssplendidly as
the Count iii Luna His tones are full
volumed and flexible and his principal aria,
I'll Balen,' was finely phrased ami well ex-
pressed.
MISS FANNIE MYERS,
The contralto, who sung AZucena, may be
considered the weakest in the quartet OF the
leading voices. She Is, as may be easily
seen, young on the stage and Is t!md and
crude in action as well as deficient in voice.
Her Stride la Vampa" was the test of the
qualities in which she failed. She WAS ap-
plauded for the duet in the prison scene
with Manrico.
The chorus was in good shape, The orches-
ira was not. But taking the performance
altogether it may be called very creditable
one {; and there are better in reserve for an
appreciative public.