Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-05-02
THE OPERA "CoNrRABANDIsrA -
Unknown Work of a well-Known Com
poser-Its Presentation Here

Unknown Work of a Well-Known Com
poser-Its Presentation Here
Weeks of rehearsal are over and Sui
livan's comic opera "Contrabandista"
is now booked for presentation We'd
nesday and Thursday evenings of this
week at Lighthouse theatre, New
Whatcom, by the leading musical talent
of the Bay, under the directorship of
Mr., G. +, Mayer. The opera is to be
given for the benefit of the Ladies
Guild of st. James parish, Fairhaven,
and ST, Agnes Guild of New What
com. With these solo voices: Mrs. G..
f. Mayer as Inez, Mrs Mabel McAlpine
as Rita, &. ID. Francis as Vasqnez, Cecil
Bacon as Mr.. Grigg, John Black as
SanchO, w. E. Dunn AS Jose, Mr.. Mel
kle rs Sergeant, and Miss Lottie Boos
acting as Rlta's page; handsome cos
tunes, brought from san Francisco for
this especial occasion; an incidental
and very graceful feature of n Spanish
dance performed by Misses Marion and
Laura Canllield and Jessie pettinone
and Messrs viii Benson, Freer and
Campbell, and above all bright,
sparkling opera, replete with gems, we'll
sung by d good chorus, the whole
marked with brilliant scenic effects, il
is entirely safe to promise rare treat
in what must be conceded to be the
musical event Of the season.
Even the well-posted opera goer or
music lover may be puzzled by the
connection of Sir Arthur Sulivans
name with this almost unknown opera.
III /,
fore" Pirates of Penzance,o "Mikado"
and other later operas by Gilbert d
sullivan, are familiar enough, but
"Contrabandista" has been almost un-
heard of. The fact is, the music OF this
opera was written by Sullivan and the
words by f. G. Bernand, the editor of
London Punch. The opera was first
produced at st. Georges theatre, Lon
don, in 1867, or several years before
Sullivan entered that collaboration
with w. ). Gilbert, which has made
the two famous in the musical world.
Nevertheless, in the judgment of Mr..
Mayer, and that judgment is not to be
lightly treated in view of his wide ex-
perience, the music Is as good as that
Of any comic opera Sullivan ever wrote.
1t would seem as though "Contraban-
dista" should be better known
inasmuch as all the Sullivan
operas have widespread pop
ularity among amateurs principally
because the music while bright and
catchy Is comparatively easy, but the
one under discussion has really been
presented. This brings up another bit
Of history. Mr.. Mayer directed the
presentation of this opera in Omaha
dozen or fifteen years ago. 1t was
found when the opera was undertaken
that while it was easy to secure the
printed scores, containing the words
and music of the songs and concerted
pieces, that the spoken parts, forming
every necessary part Of the musical
story, could not be obtained except
from IA theater where they were still in
script, and that the expense of copying
them would he prohibitive; conse-
quently the forging Of these links i'm
the musical chain was entrusted to IA
Major Stevenson, Of Omaha, and his
work proved very satisfactory.
The scene of the opera is laid in
Spain, the time say the 18th or 18th
century, and the characters ladrones or
robbers and royal guards. Inez is
queen of the ladrones, her hu band
having been their captain. Some of
the ladrones object to the ruleTship of
woman and they seek new king, put
ting their law into effect that the first
mao they meet should be rendered the
dignity OF ruling them. If he accepts
he becomes their chief, if not, he suffers
death. Chance brings Mr.. Grigg, an
English photographer, into the deli
cate position Of choosing between gov
erning a robber band or suffering the
extreme penalty. After some musical
hesitation he accepts the former alterna-
tive. Rita is noble Spanish maiden,
held as captive by the ladrones await
ing ransom. Vasquez is a Spanish
officer of the Royal guards, but is dis
guised as guide of the ladrones in
order to be near Rita, Mr.. Grigg, the
artist, is likewise "a spy, in the conf
dence of Vasquez. Jose and Sancho
are two officers of the ladrones in fealty
to Inez wife of the deceased captain.
But to attempt to tell the full story of
the opera in cold type is to rob it Of
nearly, if not all its beauty and bright
ness.
Mr.. Mayer will direct, Miss T.. NJ !
Roberts will act as accompanist and
there will be a good orchestra. Seats