The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04

excellent cons fnctlou auu literary quality.
Tomorrow ulght farce comedy, under the title
OF "Baby," will capture the boards and audi
s enee This Is u medeiy OF laughable situations
and mirthiui blunders which cannot fail to
amuse.
The Duff Opera Company.
The Diff 0p "a Company which il to open the
new Seattle fheater tomorrow night, numbers
over sixty people and hns obtained we'll earned
reputation for the uniformity and general ex-
eeence OF their performances. which never fail
to awaken enthusiasm on the part OF the au-
diences. The repertoire is:
Monday night-"A Trip to Africa"
Tuesday night-"Cayaleria Rusticana" and
sCox and Box
Tuesday matinee-"Miss Heiyett"
The artists engaged in this comnany comprise
some OF the most famous aud popular names
known to the operate world Their selection
has shown considerable discretion as we'll as
hberaty on the part OF the management; for,
while in most companies one or two rersonages
Of celebrity will generally be found, the bal
aacc as rule, consist OF people of infinitely
less significance in an artistic sense. Iu the
Duff company every department is looked after
With similar care, thus acquiring perfect en-
semble.
The artists include: Miss Helen Ber.ram,
pfiIns donna; Miss Villa Knox, soprano; Miss
Minnie Du Rue, soprano: Miss Drew Donaldson,
prano; Miss Grace Anterior, contralto; Madam
Helen Won Doenhoif, prima donna contralto;
Mr. Charles Bassett. primo tenor; Mr.. Z. Abbey,
comic tenor; Mr.. John j. Rafael. baritone: Mr..
William Hamilton, basso: Mr.. w. Echusten,
bass: Mr. J. ii. Ryley. comedian; chorus OF forty
voices: Maurice Gould, director.
Mss Helen Bertram, the prima donna, has
been achieving a success In connection with
this company which easily raises her beyond
comparison with any one in the field of light
opera now before the public. The remarkable
fact with which one Is impressed in this young
lady's work is the extraordinary versatility of
her taleuts. a. she is called upon In the present
repertoire 10 impersonate the widely different
characters of Santuzza in "Cayalieris Rusti-
cana and Miss Helyett, in Audran's comedy
opera Of that name. In the first instance all
the dramatic and musical talents of grand
opera prima donna are called into requisition.
while the latter creation belongs to the type of
eccentric comedy. In both these parts Miss
Bertram has received unstinted praise from the
press. while the public have practically shown
their appreciation by liberal applause. Nature
has been most generous to Mics Bertrem in its
distribution OF good looks, which are most i'm.
portant factor in the success of al actor nova.
days
Miss Villa Knox, the second lady of this COM
psny. after three years industrious study with
the celebrated Nine. Marehesi, of Paris. returned
70 her home in America and was at once Sc
cured as prina donua at the Casino, where she
recently created several parts notably in the
opera of the "Vice Admiral" as well rs other
works. She is pure blonde, striking rcsem-
elancc 10 Miss l. .lian Russell being noticeable,
which readily establishes her claim for beauty.
Her voice is light high soprano, remarkably
flexible in forid Passages.
Nine. Helen Won Doenhoff. the prima donna
contralto, is q lady of wide reputation. both for
fs, IL
opera house, New York, as we'll as the Carl Rosa
Opera Company In England. Her voice is mexzo
soprano eontra!to. deep aud rich in tone.
Miss Drew Donaldson ian unusually handsome
woman, Miss Minnie DuRue and Annie Cam
eron complete the list of ladies In the COM
psny, with the one addition Of Miss Gussie
cogan, young lady of great agility. whose in
Hoiuction OF the famous "Tara-rs- Boom-de-
aye in Miss iielyett" is said TO invariably
convu Sc the audience. Her special forte is that
OF dancer, III which she excels
MI Charles Basse;t. the primo tenor OF the
company, Is native OF Toledo, O., from whence
ne departed some eight years ago for the pur-
pose OF completing his vocal studies in Italy.
Alter four years work and some success achieved
N Italy in grand opera Mr.. Bassctt was en-
gagged as the principal tenor for the Grand Amer
lean Opera Company at the outset of that i'm
posing organizations career, and he remained
win THIS company tor three seasons, during
saich time lie succeeded in establishing his
reputation 80 being the best exponeut OF En-
eilsh opera-ia the line Of tenors-ln this coun-
Hy. he created tae part Of Turrider In ''Rusti-
esna" az the Casino. New YORK, and was gen.
efaiiy credited with large share OF the sue.
cess o! that opera which ran for 90 consecutive
hA's-an unprecedented number of perform
sAces for q serious opera
M william Hamilton, the eminent basso,
also mem Der OF the late American Opera Com
rshy, IS we'll as Mr. John J. Rafael. the bari.
,o"e' nave both been long associated with the
"sl musical organizations in tie country
AT J. II. Ryley. the comedian, is gentleman
VINO en!oys the distinction OF having created in
as seahtfy all the principal comedy parts in
use eitert and sullivan operas, in many iu-
aA"ess TIE Characters having been written by
~ oioeFt IN order % suit the conspicuous
s"Gsc'efistics II Mr.. Ryley's personality. No
a0us' our public Will feel considerable interest
- Shaving the methods Of one who FIRST gave
.ie 70 bunihorue, the Lord High Chancellor,
ao-Ao, etc characters with which We have
''as ago grown SIMILAR
aae chorus OF the bun company is distinct
80 impressive feature of their performances.
.@s greatest care has been exercised in tire Sc
.ecI0h et The different voices. while the ladies
asts oeen Chosen, net oaly for the vocal soiI-
~, ea' Tor tie degree Of good looks Q. which
'as! are TIE possessors. A pretty lace and
r
"sneounier sni from the greater number en-
sssea 10 this company, IL is evident Mr. puf
1l~S' haTe been most assiduogs in his re-
Sasches
zoe musical director, Mr.. Maurice Gould. is q
NSueman whose association with Anton Scidl
she Metropolitan opera house, New York,
~ss'ag IL * years whea the Wagner operas
sfs ptodUeed, clearly establishes bis ntness
y lie 1e>. class ot WORK
me repertoire is most attractive, and e: the
smS Niae varied. Il comprises Audgan's
aieiy OPERA, "Miss He4yeEt," Won suppe's "A
mp 10 Ar ca ',iIosSt Il suilivau's Condo
*a[s. - Tia ~ Jury" and "Cox and Box"
'As'y Mascagn.s master Work, "Cayalief.a
kasEcAna"
Mics Julia Mar,owe.
& 'aaa aariowc. who Is 10 grace the new
,sea'er thursday ana Friday nsghss, though
g ssxasG BY e!rta, is American by education.