The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-27
GOOD GONDOLIBRS.
The New Opera Society Of
the ]. c. A. C. Success
fully Launched.
ADMIRABLE WORK BY THE CHORUS
An Enthusiastic Audience Wit
nesses the Latest Triumph
Of Jersey City ANA.
teurs.
ADMIRABLE WORK BY THE CHORUS

| City Athletic Club made its first appear
ance last evening in Gilbert and Sulli-
vans comic opera, ''The Gondoliers," at
the Clubhouse Theatre. The success
which the performance attained, and it
was one of which the young people who
took part in it have reason to be proud,
can fairly be called triumph for Jersey
City. Notwithstanding the fact that
| most of the principals were from other
cities, the chorus Which did the most ef-
fective and artistic work, was entirely
home talent. "The Gondoliers' is a
characteristic Gilbert and Sulli-
van production. 1t has all the
charm of Sir Arthur's delightful
music and Gilbert's snbtle rhetoric. 1t
| deals with the story of Marco and Guis-
| eppe, two young Venetian gondoliers.
| The Duke of Plaza Toro, somewhat de-
cayed Spanish nobleman, comes to Venice
| looking for the lost heir to the throne of
| Barataria. He is accompanied by his
! wife, the Duchess, and his daughter, Cas-
| Ida, who, when an infant in the cradle,
was married "by proxy" to the infant
| heir prospective.
The Duke is also accompanied by an
attendant, Luiz, who loves and is loved
by Casilda. The only clue in possession
of the Duke is the fact that the heir to
the throne OF Barataria was confded to a
| gondoler and reared in his adopted
| fathers profession and it soon becomes
clear, for the time being, that either Guis-
eppe or Marco is the long-sought sove-
| reign.
But matters are further complicated by
the fact that both these young gentlemen
are married, having in the opening of the
act espoused Gianetta and Iissa. two
! i,y, de fr1nr nfa6
couple Of couples have seldom been seen
| off or on the stage.
| The Grand Inquisitor persuadeS the
| young gondoliers to accompany him to
| Barataria, where the real heir shall be pro-
claimed King, and Tissa and Gianetta
consenting to temporary deposition they
sail away.
ON THE BARATARIA ISLE.
| On the island of Barataria the two
| gondoliers share the throne until the
| mystery OF their birth shall be explained.
| The absent wives, however, tire of their
| loneliness, and, of a sudden, TessaN and
| Gianetta with their friends land upon the
island. The appearance of the Duke in
| the midst of the consequent festivities
recalls Marco and Giuseppe to reality,
| and the old courier explains the sitn-
alton. One of the two must we'd Casilda,
and, of course, either Tessa or Gianetta
must be widowed. The way out of the
| dilemma is foreseeE from the first, and
| Luis proven to be the rightful heir to the
crown, wins the hand OF Casilda and
leaves the gondoliers to their happy and
| unambitiouS life.
| Mr. J. Williams Macy was the Duke
| of Plazo Toro and a mighty good Duke
| he was too. In appearance, voice and
| manner he was the ideal Spanish grandee.
| whose pride in his noble descent could
! not debar him from letting himself out to
| an English syndicate. His singing was
| p,rt har,
Mr.. Macy was but following his daily
occupation and is not entitled to the
| same degree OF praise that is due to the
amateurs of the company.
| GEORGE HERRICK MAKES A HIT.
| But little fault is TO be found with the
work of Mr.. George r. Herrick as Don
| Alham bra Del Bolero, the Grand Inquisj
| tor. Mr.. Herrick, who is one of the most
popular members of the club, made de-
| cided hit, and demonstrated that the j.
| G. A. c. stock of comedians is by no
means exhausted. There was a refine
ment about his humor and delicacv
about his acting which was refreshing,
while the manner in which he sang his
| part left little to be desired. His topical
| song was fair, but he should remember
| that Chile and the Passaic are getting
rather passe and messy.
Mr. j. r.. Cooper made q picturesque
Luiz and sang his lines in tenor voice
timbre He was fair actor and filled
his part to the general satisfaction CT the
audience.
The parts OF Guieseppi and Marco were
filled by Messrs. w. ID. Preston and Geo.
G. Pearce. two young gentlemen from
New York, who sang fairly well and
danced gracefully. As the lovers of
Gianetta and Tessa they were very effec-
tive aud enthusiastic.
Notwithstanding the most favorable
opportunities for local hits which their
parts afford their ''gags" were entirely
devoid of any reference to current Jersey
City events, and their business had about
it an unmistakable atmosphere of burnt
cork. 1t was a most pleasant occupation
between the acts to think of the possibili-
ties of these two parts in the hands of
Billy Vidal and Frank Molten.
CHARLIE SHoNE LOOMS UP.
Charlie Shone as Antonio. one of the
gondoliers, had u small part in the first
act, in which he sang so well and danced
so gracefully that the audience insisted
upon his repeating the performance.
Charles has the making of a good comic
opera singer in him. but he wants to get
rid of what "Beau Brummell'' calls ''that
wabbling about" II would not be ex-
trave CANT to say that the Tersa OF Miss
Katrina Green was one OF the chief
features of the evenings performance.
Miss Green has appeared before Jersey
sweetness of her rich coutralto voice are
no strangers to the lovers of good music
in this city.
She was in excellent voice last evening
and sang and acted with the conscientious
grace and finish of the true artist. The
part of Glanetta was admirably filled by
Mrs Emma Henry Thomas. This young
lady is comparatively stranger to the
musical public of Jersey City, yet she at
once sprung into the favor of her audi
ence. She has q sweet soprano voice
and an intelligent knowledge of acting
which places her In the front rank of
amateur performers Miss Eleanor Bu-
chanan made the most of the small part
of Inez, the Kings foster mother. ana
Miss Cecile A. Stollberg, young lady
from Newark, as Casilda, the Dukes
daughter. deservedly received a large
amount of applause.
THE CHORUS FINE WORK.
The most effectual work, however, was
done by the chorus. 1t was essentially
well trained chorus and reflects much
credit upon the director. Mr.. VIM. H.
Thomas. There was no hesitancy or un-
certainty about its work. 1t sang to-
gether and moved together in almost per-
feet unison. Seldom, il ever, has any
amateur stage in Jersey City or else
where presented such a picturesque and
graceful performance as the Spanish
dance in the second act, as executed by
these young people. There was none of
that nervous apprehension so character
istic of amateurs on first night perform
ancea al,out hnv member Of this com.