Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-06-10
OUR OPERA FESTIVAL.
Patience, or Bunthorne's Bride

Many will accord TO the snug little
opera of "PatienCe" not by any means the
least place among the productions of Gil
bert and Sullivan. In the peculiar mus-
cal sway and verse of intcrhcnding cho-
ruscs, however, in which lies the attract
ing charm ofGilbert and Sullivan's operas,
Patience is fully the equal of Pinaforc,
and vet the greater portion OF those who
witnessed Patience last Tuesday evening
express preference for the naval bonn
bast of Plnatorc.
The production of Patience at the
Opera House by our Amateur Opera Co.
called out a really good sized audience
(although it ought to have been much
larger who felt greatly pleased with the
entertainment. The acting was exceed
ingly good, even from professional
standpoint and the tabIeaux were pretty
and effective. The smoothness of move
ment throughout the performance was
remarkable for an initial presentation by
amateurs.
The leading character role, that Of
Patience, village milkmaid, was adm-
rably taken by Mrs. Agnes Pcniold, who
possesses grace Of manner and a clear
soprano voice, The role is Il difficult one.
requiring careful training, but Mrs. Pen
fold interpreted it in every way credita-
bic. Next in order come the characters
of Reginald Bunthornc, feShy poet,
who is a dreamer simply because it is
aesthetic to be one, and who casts aside
the sham when he thinks nobody is look
ing. Mr. John T. Laurie assumed this
character, and gave an uncommon good
performance, as lie always does, and his
expression and stage bearing was excel
lent. In makeup he was without ques-
ton quite perfect, The type suits him
tho tlattcry intcndcdl and he accommo
dated his walk and his bearing 20 it.
The role OF Archibald Grosvcnor, an
idyllicpoc vino completely outstrips the
ftshy poet in his ability to capture hearts,
is tavoritc and important one in the
play, and was taken by Prof Landrc in
his usual good style,
Miss Grace Thurston us the Lady An
gcla, Miss Lizzie Campbell as the Lady
Saphir, Miss Louise Strathcrn rs the
Lady Ella, and Miss Eta White as the
Lady Jane, all showed careful prepara-
tons for the various characters i'll the
opera which they impersonated, and per
formed the duty OF rapturous maidcns "
so we'll that it was hard to realize that
they were not in earnest
OF course the officers of the Dragon
Guards form an important factor. Mr..
!. W. Caldcrwood made proud and
ter-oi-tact Colonel Calvcrley, whose
disgust COR the aesthetic was plainly no.
ticeablc He has a splendid baritone voice
and sang in fine style. Mr.. Wilbur
Nit chel acted the part of Major Murga-
troyd, and Mr.. w. p. Stevens MS the
Lieutenant, and both were good, and
equal to all the requirements of their
parts.
Good singing was noticeable feature
throughout the evening, the young ladies
in the chorus possessing, without exccp-
ton, harmonious voices. The Guards,
too were all good singers. The costumes
were very pretty indeed, especially those
of the young ladies. Mrs. Linehan's skill
as the leader Of the orchestra was further
illustrated, for the music was beautifully
rendered. AS whole the opera was ably
interpreted for a village the size OF Island
Pond, and considering the fact that the
greater majority of those participating
had never even seen the opera previous to
it's presentation here.
Congratulations are in order. First to
Prof Landre for his arduous and intelli-
gent labor. To organize a company out
of local singers entirely, to, drill, orches-
trate and conduct the performance of an
opera of the magnitude and dfhculty OF
Patience to a successful finale is no holi-
day pastime This is what Prof. Landre
has done, and great credit belongs to him.
He has been very faithful in all his under
takings here. Secondly to the talented
artists who sang the leading roles, again
to the splendid orchestra, and finally to
the chorus and all who assisted in the
production ofthe opera, From the stand
point Of any sort OF suitable criticism,
the performance was great and thor
ough success. The liberal applause the
opera received and the constant and in
telligent attention accorded it were alike
corroborative.
The opera was repeated Wednesday
evening to much larger audience, and
the performance was better of course,
and a repetition of the brilliant success
of the first evening