The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-24
MISS JUCH AZ VALENTINE.
A Fine Performances Of = Beautiful
Opera.
T'Hy Hu0UExors: A grand operA In fopr
scts. by GiacCmo Meyerboer. =

George Williams
The Juch company appeared under more
favorable circumstances last evening. A
two days rest had driven away the fatigue
and hurry incident TO the initial perform
ance, and rs . result the opera OF The
HuRnenots Was suns with commendsble
spirit. The audience was not large. Ihe
pargnet was hardly more than half oiled,
and the gallery WAS very small. Neverthe-
less. it was a cultured and critical gather
ing representative of the fashion and swell
dom of the city. The opera house WAS
again too cold for comfort. and the audi
cnce wes compelled TO shivsr through the
performance. Besides this discomfort the
respectability Of the audience was annoyed
by = gorgeous display Of the demi-monde in
the most conspicns box. There are occa-
sions when even the managers love OF
financial gain should be tempered with con-
siderstion for his patrons.
Meyorbeer's opera OF the Huguenots ID a
mastery composition OF grand choruses
and harmonious parts. Throughout the
music IL meIodious and fascinating. The
plot is interesting enough for q drama and
offers unusual opportunities for good act
ing. The last act WAS grandly impressive
and will be long remembered by the audi
ence. The plot il heroic and deals with the
religious excitement Of early France.
Queen Marguerite in her efforts to bring
about q reconciliation between the Cath
olics and Protestants plans q union Raonl
dc NanRis. q wealthy Huguenot gentleman,
and Valentine, the daughter Of Count de
81. Bris, governor of the Louvre. RaOul
consents, but on beholding, Valentine de-
Catholics lesds them to q plot to EXTERN
mate the HnRuenot race. kaoul is selected
for assassination but the plot is overheard
by Valentine. who tells the situation to
Marcel. tho servant of Raoul. kaoul,
S so% 4. at r sss he ~ Seve vslsn' .lsc
learns of the plot, and. III a state Of distrac-
ton, hurries away to join his friends.
Valentine, to induce Ksoul to keep from
certain death, tells him of her love. The
love scene that follows is interrupted by
the tolling Of the death bell and the dis
tine ~fainting at his feet, but returns and
both are killed by the firing from the mob.
The dramatic plot requires constant &C
ton, which was ex%ceIlently maintained. The
spirited choruses never Jagged, while the
solo parts were strong and we'll balanced.
better mounting, though fortunately the
opera did not require elaborate scenes
The coStuming was nOtic0ably fine.
Miss Juch first appeared in the
second act in an assemblage Of courl
ladies. Dressed in gown Of
white silk devoid Of ornaments she was an
ideal picture of maidenly innocence. When
the greeting of the audience had vaned al
grew still in anticipation. The first notes
arose in the air like the music of ripping
waters and then died way az an echo
There were but a few lines and the prims
was not seen again until the third act wher
she appeared in a superb duet with Marcel
In the closing scene Of the opera she dis
played an unexpected appreciation of dra
matte action when the climax of the pIo
suddenly ends in the death of Valentino
and kaoul. Her parts we're sung with char
ac.eristic sweetness and purity end wer,
warmly applauded by the audience.
p Hiss Carlotta Maconda was a stately ans
imperious queen and appeared to much bet
ter advantage than as the shepherd in, Tam
hansen. Besides a voice of great range and
power she has youth and beauty and some
aine atthe opening of the second act was Oh,
Of the delightful numbers Of the evening.
Miss Louise M%eislinRer made a SHAPED,
and pretty page. Hell mellow and wei
nodulated contralto WAS heard to fine ad
&: vantage.
, voice viii the exception of Mr.. Vetta, who
seemed slightly hoarse. Mr.. HedInondt j.
a much better singer thana ctor, though il
the last scene he displayed appreciation O
the dramatic requirements. /.
: Mr. Knights fine bassO was not oftel
heard but as usual his numbers we're wei
sung. --
This evening the company will appear il
Z Bizst's delightful omantic opera Carmen
Tomorrow afternoon ii Troyatore will b.
sung and ON Wednesday evening the en-
gagenent will close with Wagner's gran
opera Lohengrin in which Miss Juch vii
. appear As Elsa.