The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-07
SUMNER OPERA PROSPERS
AN EXCELLENT WEEKS BUSINESS
AT BOTH HOUSES.
Old Favorites of Which the People
Never Seem to Tire-Attractive Bills
for the Coming Week.

There is nothing like the good old operas
with their melodies that never tire to fill the
theatres. No two operas Isung with much
frequency nowadays have been before the
public longer than "Fra Diavolon and "The
Bohemian Girl.n The former was given
during the early part of the weck at Albaughs
to crowded houses while the latter at the
National all the week was listened to and
applauded with enthusiasm by fine audiences.
The familiar lyrics of each were we'll rendered
and received encores as tumultuous as IL in
their first season. Not only the lyrics, but the
business of the comedians went with great
gusto. In "Fra Diavoo'' Mr. William
Pruette made great hit In the role of Beppo,
in which he displayed comedy powers that
surprised and delighted everybody and fairly
threw the audience into convulsions OF merri-
ment, while his interpolated solo, "Will o.
matte force and vocal form Of the highest
Miss Vincent, and Mr. Fitzgerald also
distinguished themselves by their work in
s'Fra Diavolo." At the National 1t was re-
freshing to observe the enjoyment which the
''The Bohemian Girl" Mr.. Campbell was
really very strong as Thdddeus and stirred his
audience deeply with his spirited rendering Of
''The Fair Land of Poland" MIR. Hamilton
d
dramatic singing of 'sThe Heart Bowed Down"
and Miss Lamont was unusually effective In
ssI Dreamt that Dwelt in Marble Halls'
Altogether it was highly satisfactory week
of summer opera from every point of view.
The "Royal MILDLY" at the National.
The Lamont Opera Company will be heard
tomorrow night in Richard Genee's opera,
"Royal Mildly" which wifi be the occasion of
the first production of this opera in Washing
ton in several years. The opera has the adj
vantage OF an excellent libretto, while Genee's
music is bright and tuneful. 1t will bring
out the full strength of the company, with the
addition of Mr.. John Brand, who will play
his original part as played by him during the
run of the opera at Daly's Theatre, New
York. Mr.. William Hamilton will remain
with the company, and it is expected that he
will add to the laurels gained by him the past
week in his excellent rendition of the Count
in bohemian Girl.n Charles j. Campbell
will also have prominent part, which is said
to suit him admirably. Misses Lamont and
Annandale are happily cast The latter will
be heard to better advantage than in either of
the preceding operas, as the character of the
Queen is full of pretty music. Walter Allen
will assume the comedy role of Mungo, and
will no doubt handle the character in his
usual excellent style.
.'Chimes of Normandy" at AIbaugh's
All who have heard "The Chimes Of
Normandy have listened with delight to its
rare melodic gems ''The Legend Of the Bells'
will always tinkle in the memory of any one
who has listened to it and there is not charac-
FER of any Importance in the opera that has
not at least one number which it is pleasure
to recall. s'The Chimes' will be given at
Albaugh's to morrow night with cast that is
far superior to many offered by companies
playing at the higher prices of the regular sea-
son. The cast will be the following: Miss
Lily Post, iSerpolette; Alice Vincent. Germdine,
Marion Langdon, Gertrude; William Pruette,
Henri, the Impoverished but debonair marquis;
w. H. Fitzgerald, Grenichelr; j. K. Murray,
Gaspard; G. Fl. Bigelow, the Bailhe; and
Walter West. 1t will be seen at once by those
who are familiar with the personnel of the
company that even the subordinate parts are
in able hands.