The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1893-11-18
Witnessed by an Appreciatiye
Audience Last Night.
FElSTOF BEAUTY, GRACE AND MELODY
The NikadO NorthiIy Presented by the Waco
Amateurs and a Grand Success.

Garland opera house last night to
enjoy the presentation OF the
Mikado by Waco amateurs, under
the direction OF Nv w. A. Baker,
Yves both compliment TO the draw.
ing abilities OF the performers and
fling testimonial TO the worth Of
the noble charity which was bene
fitted thereby. II was splendid
gatherlng-splendid in wealth, in
culture, IN intellect, IN ability to
understand ard taste to appreciate
the beautiful and refining Influences
of art and music. 1t was a gather
ing in every way typical Of the best
of Waco society, aud it must have
been a pleasure and an inspiration
to those who had labored so hard to
bring the matter to sue.
cessful issue to look from the stage
upon such a brave array Of the
wealth and fashion and culture of
the city.
And the feast of beauty, melody
and grace which was set before
those who sat down to enjoy it was
in every way worthy the attendance
The opera itself-ope of the bright.
est ever written by these princes of
the art, Gilbert and Sullivan-.as
not only we'll presented, but it was
supplemented by a number Of
special features that greatly en-
HANGED its beauty and added largely
to its value in the eyes Of those
present.
Of those who interpreted "spesk-
ing parts" in the opera ali are de-
serving of special mention. MIR.
Baker, of course, comes easily first.
He drilled the principals and the
chorus, taught most of the dancers
and arranged all the drills and
marches. The excellent chorus
work and the effective ensembles
speak louder in commentator Of
his patience and ability than can
any mere words, and appreciation
of his efforts was shown by the
audience in frequent and loud
applause. His Interpretation of the
character of 10 10 was peculiarly
his own, copied after nobody, and
not at all the one we are used to
seeing The music of the part is a
trlfle out of his range, making it
difficult for him to sing, yet he
gave all his numbers wit excellent
expression, and his acting was easy,
graceful, and free from constralnt.
1t was, in short, the acting of a
we'll trained professional, which Mr..
Baker is.
Mr.. Allen was graceful and
handsome Nanki Poo, and showed
himself possessed of light, high
baritone voice of very pleasing
quality. His first solo, ga Wander
ing Minstrel, l." was especially
cleverly done.
The Poo.Bah of Mr.. Cox was q
very comical character, filled tc
satisfaction with his quaint and
original humor.
Mr.. GambrelI was satisfactory
Mlkado. In fact, if distinctions in
such cases were not invidious, il
might be said that Mr.. Gambrell in
iected some robust life and vitality
into his part, played 1T with more
strength, with frmer touch, than
any other amateur in the cast.
Mr.. Toby got all there was out o.
the small part of Pish.Tush.
OF the ladies-well, what of the
ladies ? They are always charming
and on this occasion they lost non,
of the charm that is theirs in thei
own right, and took on much tina
belongs to the quaint costuming
pleasing situations ard bright musi
Of the opera.
AS Yum Yum Mrs. Toby was in
vested with part that was easil,
: within her powers, both az vocalis
and az an actress. In the "Moo
and l" solo she was particular
happy in pleasing the audience
Perhaps no higher complmeu
could he paid her than to say tina
she fully met the expectations G
her friends and the public, base
upon the high reputation she ba