The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-10
THE BLACK HUSSAR.
Brilliant Opening Of the Cal
houn Opera Season.
NOT EVEN STANDING ROOM LEFT


thrc1g eager 70 gain admittance 20 the
theascr. rnade the occasion a typical met.
ropsGitan opera night, xith ali the side
! lights Of such an event present. including
the inevitable flower girl. though minus
the send who yells in your ears, Book o.
de op'ra, onny tueeny e. cents" 1t Was
. complimentary gathering to the success
| fui efforts Of Manager John +. Cordray in
bringing hack 20 the PATROLS Of his theater
the Calhoun Opera Company 10 the scenes
of its irss triumph.
Mliloecker's charming comic opera "The
Black Hussar" was the medium of pre-
senting the old favorites and introducing
the new stars. and the results were sun
GENTLY satisfactory 10 leave no room TO
doubt the number and sincerity OF the
host of friends made by the company
when here year ago and who turned out
en- massc last night 10 welcome them back
to the Queen City Of the West Every seat
in the house had been sold long before the
rise of the curtain at sis o'clock.
and the overwhelmed managers sign,
standing room only. stared late corners
in the face and either sent them right
about-face or caused them 10 stand, which
hundreds did; the result was a packed
house from ''pit to dome" with bright,
CHEEKY. good natured audience, all lovers
OF good music. A large percentage of
those present had made the occasion a so
cial one, and the number of rich toilets
present. with the Intoxicating scent of
perfume over all made up a Kaleidoscope
scene Of beauty and bright colors that has
not been equaIed for long time
Though every box had its pri-
vate party, the audience. neverthe-
-
gathered for the purpose Of enjoying good
music, hence liberal to fault in its
recognition of the talented singers
old and the new company.
Applause and recalls were unstin,ed
throughout the evening, while the well
come given the first appearance of the old
favorites, Julie Calhoun, Kirkland Cal
houn, Douglas A. Flint, Otis B. Mayer
and others, was sufficiently spontaneous
to establish at once spirit Of good fellow
ship between audience aud actor. This in
fused the new singers with enthusiasm
and the result was a pleasing entertain
ment, even throughout. which sent home
everybody with only kind words for the
opera aud the singers
The opera of the "Black Hussar" Is full
of most charming music, arias, duets, rrios
and concerted pieces that afford excellent
opportunities for the display of oil the
good voices. There Is q delightful waltz
refrain running through the score that is
most tuneful and catchy, and which Is
sure to make the opera the most popular
Of any presented here. In fact this was
evidenced last night, for almost every
selection was heartily encored. Aside
from tbs excellent music many novelties
are introduced In the opera which enhance
the pleasure OF the entertainments 4
sabot or wooden shoe song and dance by
eight young ladies in the third act is quite
feature, especially TO the old tune made
so familiar by Joe Jefferson, "Zum Lauter-
bach hab ich msin strumpf ferloren."
Another feature Is the Hussar march
by the ladies of the chorus; also
the skirt dancing OF the Brace
sisters These are only side issues to the
main attractions; the scenery and cos
tunes form no small part of the brilliant
attraction, and every act closes with an
effective scene and tableaux Among these
may DO mentioned the octettee or prayer
that closes the first act, most impressive
anthem, as delightful as il is touching.
The revelation of the Black Hussars ct the
close of the second act, with the leaders on
two handsome black chargers, form
striking and martial close TO the second
act that brought forth O hearty encore.
The Transformation scene that closes the
entertainment. .Germania Watching the
Rhine" proved q telling tableau, and
moved to loud huzZas many a German in
the audience. The comedy element runs
through the entire piece. and the fun aud
the music are so closely interviewer tina,
nothing ever becomes tiresome
OF the individual members of the COM
pany nothing but praise can be bestowed.
Miss Laura Clement, the prima donna, has
clear soprano OF wide range, with the
lower notes equally as strong as her upper
register, showing high cultivation. Her
Russian ditty in the second act was q gem
that secured an encore. Miss Clement has
good figure. pleasing face and with her
bell-iike notes Is sure TO become a great
fayorite. Miss Julie Calhoun has materi-
ally improved since here last year. her
voice being tirmer and stronger. OF
course her good looks could not be i'm
proved on, though being somewhat
stouter she is improved 10 tha, extent. As
an actress she IS perfect Her swinging
song, the Grape Vine Swing" in the
third act showed off her voice TO
good advantage and secured for
her q warm encore. The new tenor, Mr..
George Lydang, possesses all the leading
qualities for q successful tenor. He is
handsome. young and has clear, rich
voice, with strength enough to be very
prominent when singing in duos. trios or
qaartettes. Everyone Of his solos was
justly honored with encores. He is de-
eided improvement ON the las. years
tenor in that he is handsom. and is an ex-
eellent actor. Mr.. William schuster
shared the honors of the evening. his rich.
sweet baritone voice being heard to great
advantage. His solo OF The Cav Hussar''
in the third act was the MASTERPIECES OF
tile evening and had 70 be re-
peatei. The life OF the play was
Douglas A. Flint. the genial. Jolly, tat
comedian, whose every movement is
funny and who adds TO his humor the
pleasure OF rich, bass voice, as clear As il
Is sonorous- He is q great fayoriss a.
ready and las. night had to repeat almost
every one OF hrs songs. especially his
topical song, and the trio. Read the
Answer in she Stars. in the third set, be-
tween himself. Calhoun and Miss Cornish.
Kirkland Calhoun makes an excellent foil
for Douglas Flint, anu the contrast in size
and figure IS always sure 70 secure q hearty
laugh wheu brought out together. Mr..
Sylvester Cornish also aided largely 10 the
comedy element. and gave q c.ever piece
Of character work as Barbara, "a ciean
orphan" As whole the company Is ex-