St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-18
TO PLEASE THE PUBLIC.

good audience witnessed last night the
production of Uncle Celestinn by the Aron-
son opera company at the Metropolitan
Uncle Celestin'' comes pretty near being a
remarkably bright and sparkling combina-
ton of words, music and scenery. The two
latter are there, but the words are missing as
they generally are where the ideas of foreign
librettists are clothed in English. The faults
not in the plot That is charmingly original
and highly amusing. But the lines are rarely
equal to the situations, which are, at times
irresistibly funny, particularly in the second
act. This is by far the best act 1t is full of
the vivacity, sparkle and gayety so character
istic of the Freuch. This is especially true of
the music. which was composed by Audran,
whose "Olivette"and 'Mascotte'' and La
Cigale" have delighted everybody. The first
act opens rather tamely, but it engages in
terest Immediately by reason of the beautiful
stage setting. 1t is a magnificent and spa
cious interior, representing a luxurious
drawing room of a Paris residence. The
merriment does not begin until the wife of
the shopkeeper, who has Just come into
fortune. sits down at an automatic piano and
pretends TO play the "Blne Danube"
waltzes. The situation is as original as it is
comical, for the piano keeps on playing even
after the wife leaves it. which makes it nee
essary for the daughter and then the father
to take her place and pretend to play in or
der to prevent the guests from discovering
the deception.
Uncle Celestin'' cannot be successfully
pres ented except after frequent and pains
taking rehearsals. DASH sprightliness and
vivacity are absolutely essential in the inter-
probation of 1t. The AronsOn company evil
IDENTITY realizes this for it was plain last even
ing that good deal of time and effort have
been devoted to the piece But it VIII stand
more. The company contains several capa-
bic performers, chief OF whom are Jefferson
de Angels, the comedian; Annie Mey-
ers, soprano and soubreste; Jen-
ME Reifferth, an excellent comedi-
enne, and Max Freeman and Jen-
ME Weathersby, both character artists of
ability. De Angels is what is term ed a
funny man." He is extremely comical in
the second act Annie Meyers possesses a
clear, sweet soprano voice of considerable
power and resonance in the upper register
She is also a clever sOubrette. The minor
parts are in the hands Of men and women
who are satisfactory. Some of the women
are decidedly pretty, particularly Alice Lineo
and Minnie Renwood Miss Villa Knox, who
impersonated Gustave, the lover of Clemen-
tine (Annie Meyers, contributed mucn to
the enjoyment of the duets between the two
The comedy will be repeated tonight, tomor-
row matinee and night.
%
William LAWN. the tenor who Will be
heard with the st. Paul Choral association
in the presentation of 1.-The Mesnah.' seems
to be the popular Messiah tenor this year.
having been engaged to sing this work at
New York. Philadelphia, Washington, Chi ca
go. Minneapolis, st. Paul and st. Louis. He
has met with universal success III oratorio
the press being emphatic in his praise The
following extract from the Washington Post
will give soma adequate conception Of his
powers: After his last nights triumph with
the chorals Mr.. Lawn cannot sing here any
too early or too often. His voice is Of pure
tenor quality. smooth, sympathetic and of
vibrant, but peculiarly agreeable timbre No
singer has been heard here for seasons who
so strongly recalls the dramatic and emotional
methods Of the great Italian lyric tenors
The recilative was nobly and simply given,
and the aria with mingled delicacy, tender
ness and power hardly to be surpassed"
o.
Held by the Enemy" which comes to the
Grand Sunday night for the week. is one of
the purely American plays that has been a
lasting sucuess through the past six sea-
sons Its repeated repetitions in this city
have but added to its list of admirers Its
stirring scenes and strongly reslistie Incl
dents always proving an attractive feature
to the lovers of stage art. For the forthcom-
ing engagement at the Grand there will be
the same careful attention III scenic detail
that has always characterised the presenta-
ton of this play. and the cast is said to be
one fully adequate to the work of properly
r,ortra wing Mr. Eif1offn-S pharqprprS