The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-20
yFW come OPERA.
The Music Is byJ Emory Shaw and the
Libretto by Philander Johnson.

The following is from the Washington
Times of June nth:
A pleasant surprise 10 many and the
realization Of bright anucipatcry fore
knowledge 10 a few will be the produc-
ton next week by the strakosch Opera
Company OF n comic opera by Fhhander
Johnson and J. Emory shaw. Mr. john
son Is of the editorial star OF the Even
ing Star, and is well known here and to
the readers OF the weehIics as writer
Of clever society verse and bright songs,
as well the satirical par9grapher most
quoted I'm the country. nc mas "rlll"n
also two or three well-recelVed operettds
before nov. The present Work Is. now
ever his most ambitious thus far. Mr..
Shaw is much appreciated as a W ashii =
ton musician. though he has for some
time been living in kcnmends
The StrakOsch Company mas the opera
under active rehearsal. and the prospects
are for a smooth and even production.
The name Of the new opera IS "Nuur
Bril-: or The EVIL Eye Washington
has frequently been the scene OF dra-
matte first productions, but IT - the
first occasion In lonB lihr IN WhlCn
professional production Of comic opera
mas be-n MAJ. acre After considering
both librefto and music carefully Mana
ger StrakOsch had no hesitation IN giving
IL a place for a weeks production among
the standard works which form the
The idea IS an odd one, combining the
picturesque with a dash OF the grotesque
and just n sprinkle " satire a de-
scription Of the island Of Marken, In
the /uyder Zee, Holland, nrst suggested
the story. The wel-t0-do. but simpse,
people Of the circumscribed dkeprotect-
ed island preserve to-day the customs
and traditions Of centuries ago. The
librettO has it that two little ones OF
that place-a boy and girl-Were be-
trothed by their parents 10 cerlent
family friendship. The boys family goes
to America and grows up as one OF the
members Of New York society His
Dutch name. Derrick de Hoogh. which
the knicKerbocKers
themselves. and the wealth which ms
father accumulated, gives him ease and
social position. but ire IS sent back 20
Holland 70 keep The troth plsnted
for him But the simple people or Mar
ken knew Of no such creature as ne
appears.
Ills clothes are not canny and the
legend Of "Vuur-BrlH. or The EVIL
bye" is al once suggested by ms mono
clio There is no hesitation In concluding
that he is the YeritaLle demon, ana from
this complication springs the COMEDY
frightened by various CONTINGENT ele-
ments The cast will be displayed 10
decided advantage. as the work IS evenly
balanced. both I'm distribution OF the
music and Of the actors. JOhn r.. ben
will, in addition to the stage manage
ment, have the part Of the young man
from New York. and Maurice Hageman
that Of the burgomaster. The tenor role
will be taken by Huntley, and petite
and eirlish Miss Moore, who sang Gil
roAe-Girona so acceptably some time
since will have the soprano part. MISS
Madge Deane Is the sOubrette, and j. Is.
Adams IS a pleasant lad whose life Is
made miserable by his sweetheart's fiirta-
lions. Alice Hosmer has a strong char
acter part. and Miss Travers will appear
as the captain of the soldiery.
The reheaIsals, under the direction OF
Mr.. Machette, have made rapid and sub
stantial progress.
The music, in the opinion Of Manager
Strakosch. ranks with the best Of Amer
lean composition in this field In techni-
cal finish as well as In melody. ! nope,
with the best OF foundation. that this
new aspirant will have a glittering first
success and a rosy future.