The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-04-28
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Ginning FOR CHARITY,
Their Old Time Success.
Revived by the operate
Amateurs.
FRANK M0LTEN'S GASPARD.
Miss Walizinger a Piquant and
Charming Serpolette-Flowers
and Plaudiis.
FRANK MoLTEN'S GASPARD.

The season of amateur opera now in
progress at the Academy of Music was
continued last evening by a production
of ''The Chimes Of Normandy" already
we'll known to Jersey City music lovers
through the medium of the Amateur
Operate Association. 1t was in this opera
that the company scored what many con-
slider their greatest success, but any
PREVIOUS performance was totally eclipsed
by that of last night. The vivacity of the
entire production was in strong contrast
to the first night loose jointedness of
"Erminie" on tuesday evening. There
were no bitches, no imploring looks cast
at the prompter's bcx, and no such long
waits TO tear up patience by the roots.
From beginning to end the action con-
tinued smooth and uninterrupted.
The plot is rather more complicated
than is usually found in light opera, al
though by tins time our audiences must
be familiar with it's details. 1t deals with
Gaspard, a miser, to whose care the
Marquis, just previous to his death. con-
fided his infant daughter, Germaine, his
niece, and Serpolette, a village mad-cnp.
The heir of Bonneville returns to his
Cudtehus WHICH OdSpHru uses MS Il SeCTeU
treasury, defending it by a series OF III
iion ghosts, and SerDofette gains possess
sion of a paper which seems to establish
her Identity as the lost Marchioness.
But Gaspard. like another comic
opera. favorite, has mixed those
children cup" and Germaine proves
TO be the heiress. On the vivid
c~oloriug of the role of Serpolette depends
the humor OF the opera, aud it was q
white day-for the Association when Miss
Bertha WaltzinGer consented to take the
part. Her originality in the treatmento of
such an artistic role. her grace and vi
vacity.s and. most of all, her truly Won
derful voice, made her work worthy OF
the highest praise. Many sopranos have
sweet voices, more have powerful ones.
but very few voices are both sweet and
powerful, as is Miss Waltzinger's. Her
crowning triumph was in the waltz song
interpolated in the third act, and the last
notes of a series of brilliant aud fawiess
cadenzas were overpowered by a tempest
of applause. The Spectre Trio" with
Jean and the Bailli, with the accompany
ing solo, 'Pve always heard If a ghost
don't like you" was II clever bit of work.
and the dance which followed brought
down the house. The solder Song'' was
responsible for bringing in two of the
countless bouquets with which Miss
Waltzipger was presented, and the bright
"Look at That, Look at This" was Il
great success. Miss Waltzinger's work
is not to be described as excellent "for an
amateur" but for any prima donna in
light opera.
MR. MoLTEN's GAsPARD.
Mr.. Frank H.. Molten surpassed even
his former efforts as Gaspard. 1t was in
this character that Mr.. Molten made the
hit of his career, aud as this character
that he will always be remembered. The
Academy stage has seldom seen SO we'll
balanced and evenly developed a speci-
men of character-study-his great scene
alone in the chateaux kept his audience
~speii-bound, the gruesome horror of his
insane pleading with the Marquis, at the
end Of the second act. was blood-curdling,
and the weird scene with the chorus
maidens gave a decided tinge OF tragedy
to the action. After last nights per-
Torrance. no IL will dispute Mr.. Mol
tens's title as by far the foremost amateur
actor in the vicinity.
Mrs. +. H. Molten sang Germaine with
a sweetness and dignity that formed Il
decided contrast to the jaunty perkiness
of the previous nights "Jayotte." Her
solo in the famous "BeIl Song" was
loudly encored, and in the three duets
with the Marquis, especially "a Maid
Should Not Say Yea nor Nay" she dis
played perfect ease and grace. Henri.
Marquis de Corneville, was personated
by Mr.. William T. Brown, whose appear
ance in succession of stunning court
suits, sent the audience into u blissful
SCale OF mluu, from WHICH us fiCn Dafl-
tone voice sent them to a condition of
positive delight. The Marquis should be
congratulated on the fact that he does
not hold the hand of his adored one as il
it were full or tacks, nor breathe his vows
into her front hair. Mr.. John ID. Shaw's
Bailii was a bright piece of humor, and
Mir. Henry Bright was a droll Notary,
well posted on Jersey City affairs for a
specimen of the last century. MIR. Alex.
Aureus and Mr.. g.. c. Thonlair attended
in the heavy thinking parts of Registrar
and Assessor. Mr.. Fred Parker's voice
was at its best last night. and the symDa-
thetic quality which gives it it's greatest
charm, was given room for development.
His FIRST solo was an excellent piece of
work, and the audience wildly applaudeu
the famous waltz song in the third act.
Miss Nettie Helierman was a piQuant
Gertrude. aud Miss Grace Patterson. Miss
May Smith and Mrs. w. Hunter Brown
hlied small roles as peasant girls.
THE CHORUS IS GOOD.
The chorus was far more satisfactory
than ON Tuesday night for many reasons
and in many respects. The leaders were
more spirited in their action, aud the
effect OF careful rehearsing and perfect
confidence was noticeable throughout the
evening. The choruses. L the knight OF
Old" Legend of the Bells" ana Look
at That. Look at This" were the most
satisfactory. from a dramatic as well as
musical standpoint. The dancing, while
not so elaborate as the miuuet in "Er-
minle." was far more spirited and pictur-
esque.
The performance deserved a better
house. AS usual, the parquet was well
filed but the dwellers III the balcony
might choose seats from a large collec-
ton of vacant ones. The four boxes were
filed, a proceeding sufficiently novel to be
interesting. The audience made up in
enthusiasm what it lacked in numbers,
and f1nrnt frih1rna VVarp nlImpr019 Miss
Waltzinger, Mrs. Molten and MIR. Dress
Ter being among the favored ones. There
was very nearly a curtain call after the
last act, and the principals were forced to
respond after each of the other two.
"Erminie' will be produced tonight
and Saturday, aud 'sThe Chimes" tomor-
row evening and Saturday matinee. The
sale of seats Tor tonight indicate a crowd
ed house.
Gee A n-- = nnn