The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-24

| l1c, Cne majority OF whom are immersed liz
business from early morn till the shades OF
evening fall, naturally turn to some light
form OF misunderstanding which
does not require deep thought or concen-
! tration in following out the details of the
J plot
Comedy, in its way, is Selightful. but
with vocal and instrumental accessories it
becomes "a thing of beauty and a JOY for
| ever" There is a witchery in comic opera
which bare comedy couldnot possibly evoke.
| Music, always enchanting, is doubly so
when the performe er is a skilled opera singer.
fIhen, too, the costumes are always selected
with the idea of enhancing the beauty of
the dazzling spectacle. 1t is to such scenes
that the tired man of business turns when
his days labor is ended He is carried en-
tlrely out of himself and away from all de-
| pressing thoughts. He hears nothiJss- fglt
the enhancing music; he sees naught but
the gorgeous costumes which drape the fig
ures of the lovely singers. Life for the
time being takes on q rose tinted hue, and
care is banished. II EH+ a
In tragedy all this is changed. The mind
becomes concentrated, and tue listener in
has Efforts to follow the saddening scenes
presented strains every nerve, and what
was intended as entertainment has at its
conclusion quite an opposite effect. The
decadence Of tragedy may. in a great meas
ure, be owing TO the lack of tragedians.
Meiodrama, on the other hand, in its effects
Is rather pleasing, for the evening alter
mates between hopes and fears, and what
ever impression is made is seldom lasting.
Melodrama has always found favor with
the American people from the fact that to
great extent it characterizes the plays of
American authors.
10 return TO comic opera, its present
grateful acceptance by the people may. to
great degree, account for their desire to
escape for at least q time from the business
troubles which almost overwhelm them
Thus it will be seen that this form of en-
tertalnment is an important factor in the
peoples welfare and happiness. Life is
Kaleidoscope, and comic opera is one of its
brightest prisms Tothe eXpectant listen
er and sightseer its rainbow hues seen;
quickly to chase each other across his ex-
cited Imagination. But the central figure.
or star, while perhaps nightly delighting
the eyes or gratifying the senses of an en-
raptured audience, has many outside trials
to endure. Actions are often misconstrued
and words misinterpneteG. Her manager
must be consulted On every occasion, and
unless he and the star agree it is useless
putting forth any effort toward success
Understudies must be agreeable and eff
Gent In fact TO produce an opera of anv
kind successfully, harmony must reign
throughout. When disturbing elements
creep in, the public soon learns Of the fact
and it does not always stand ready to
support the star.
Newspaper critics are also thorDs in the |
flesh, and it would be well if all persons |
connected with public life could under !
stand how much harm or good they are /
capable Of doing. Reporters, too, play an |
important part in theatrical enterprises, |
and I would advocate their being treated |
with the greatest courtesy on all proper oc- /
casions. For my own part, consider i. |
fsttering indeed TO be called upon for the !
little bits OF information am at times able |
to furnish.
In chorus SRI pretty face and shapely /
form are both important adjuncts. and
coupled with a musical and sympathetic /
voice are bound to insure success. But even
with these advantages her life is not always |
a pleasant one. for many OF these sensitive /
young women are often compelled to en-
dure great hardships. And here let me say
a word In their favor. for | have never
known a kinder hearted class than these
selfs2me chorus girls Many of them are
the mainstay Of invalid fathers. mothers or
sisters, and they willingly yield up their
earnings for the support OF their loved ones.
How true it Is that all that sIitters Is not !
yolGl Oftentimes the coryphee adds 10 her /
income by doing work outside of her pro-
iession. But during rehear>ais and the first
stages of the opera this extra labor is I'M
possible. for the young woman time : not
Ger own to control Rehearsals are fre-
iuentlE long ard EarinS. and Il Is Useless
or persons Of delicate physique TO take part
n any performance requiring such prelimi-
harry work.
The construction Of 3 comic opera is per-
laps the most difficult thing that libret-
lists and musicians can undertake. An ali
'olute dainttnesS il indispensable. aIi4 th3
nust be produced in conjunction. The Gil
bert and Sullivan o.essas, so roted the world +
'ver. are almost perfec; n this reSpect, ow-
ng 10 the congeuiality existing between
ne co-authors. They sec n eminently fitted :
o work together. and consequently al ex-
.uisise harmony permeatss their prosiUe-
ions Tor comic opera the airs mus, he
iEAt and ''ca.chT something that viii