Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-18
OPERA AND DRAMA,
Emma Abbott's Company In Erueni-sar.
dou's ExIles at the Opera House-The
BIue and the Grny-LiIy CIay's Bur-
p..uu... bo demv

Emma Abbott's Company In Erucnl-sar-
dou's ExIles at the Opera House-Tbe
Blue and the Grny-LiIy CIay's Bur-
Iesquers Mt the Academy.
THE dramatic power OF "Ernani' transcends
its musical merits. So gloomy a tragedy
does not afford the company the opportunities
Tor variety, and Verdi's music In ''Erpani' is
monotouously mournful or terrific. 1t is a we'd
ding of martial clangor to maiden's lamenta-
tions. and the result could hardly appeal
strongly to the ears of most nen. There Is
much in the score that is impressive, and the
ensembles are remarkable for their strength
and rousing melody. On the whole, we doubt
if even admirers of Verdi would lavish much
praise upon "Ernani."
Miss Emma Abbott presented the opera last
night at the Bijou Theater. Her company mas
not undergone any change SO far as last nights
performance indicated. nor has the prlma
donna herself in any way altered. Her strong
points and her weak points are the same as
ever, but we cannot say that the part OF Etrrd
suits her very well. The reasons for this are
chiefly physical. But Miss Abbott sang WIN
that wonderful energy for which she is
famous and the brlliancy OF her Work In Tue
last act compensated largely for her lnaolity
to be the unhappy, much-beloved and often,dls-
appointed maiden of the earlier scenes. Her
voice seemed in good condition, and as usuai
her displays of its powers and training were
greatly enjoyed by the audience. Her
dresses were remarkably rich and beautiful.
Mr.. Pruette is one of those rare beings who,
with good voice, well schooled, has remark
able ability as an actor: A more grace1ui,
could not be we'll imagined. He brought out
to the full the soldierly nobility of the king,
and his presence as a central figure lent pic
tqresqueness and grandeur to many tableaux.
He sang even better than he acted,
and every number allotted to him re-
eeived careful yet spirited treatment.
!here are very few baritones on the
American stage to be compared with Mr..
Pruettes for ringing sorority and sweetness
the latter being quality hardly ever found in
baritone. His singing of the cavatina, "Oh,
act, revealed him at his best. but the principal
beauty of the sextet and chorus with which the
same act closes was Mr.. Pruette's share in it.
Mr.. Broderick as De Silva was very satisrac-
tory, but as much cannot be said for Mr.,
Mlchelena in the tenor role of Erldni. Miche-
lena's tenor is too light for such part, and his
voice seemed handicapped by huskiness also.
The chorus, as usual, has good deal to rec
ommend it, but it is not harmoniously bal
anced. The bass voices are too strong for all
the others, and the soprani were notably
weak-in fact. three or four in their ranks ap.
peared to be there for show alone. Several Of
the choruses, however, were very well sung.
The opera was gwen adequate stage setting, and
was applauded warmly in all parts. Tonight
the opera Will be Grown Diamonds"
Grand Opera House.
To people who are fond of mysterious plots,
diabolical wickedness, and thrilling scapes
by flood and field, the revival of Sardou's 'SThe
Exiles" at the Grand Opera House this week,
should have great interest. The play Is we'll
done in every respect. The company is unus-
ually capable, the scenery and effects are unde-
niably striking, and the story of the play Is very
exciting. The scene of "Tbe Exiles" Is laid in
Russia, and the plot deals. of course, with
heroic but reckless patriots, and with cruel and
despotic police.
The hero and his friend are, early in the play,
lured by an anonymous letter to a meeting of
masked men in a dark apartment and they have
hardly arrived before the police break in upon
them and arrest every one, while the CHIEF OF
the Bureau (who is also the william of the
play), pronounces the sentence, Siber1a?
Hence the title Of the drama, and hence the
remarkable adventures BY flood and fire that
make up the sensational features of the play.
The confagration. which ends the fourth act,
is thrilling and realistic in high degree, and
the introduction of many other realistic effects
really adds to the strength of the play. Per-
haps the audience would be just as happy and
palace of Prince Pierre did not come so very
near making too realistic conhagration. The
way those candles wobbled and fared last
night was enough to turn a mans hair gray.
The other scenery, however, as a whole, de-
serves very high commendation.
In the company. which is a very large one,
Messrs. Ralph Delmore, w. 8. Harkins, n. B.
Bradley, Miss Adele Belgrade, Miss Keith
Wakeman and several others did excellent
work. Mr.. Delmore is a remarkably fine actor
character of Senelna, Chief of Police. An op-
portunity may occur for more detailed criti-
cism Of this notable production.