Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-02-09

AHhI IL he'er rains OUT pOurs has
been amply illustrated during the past
few days in the number OF musical en-.
tertainments presented at Olympia
Theater to the public Of this city. On
Friday and Saturday evenings of last
week the ever-popular " Pinafore" was
rendered by the St. Johns Musical
Society OF the Episcopal church. Un-
der the training OF General O'Brien
the opera was most successfully pro.
duced, and this success was most graf.
flying to the participants as we'll as to
the public. During the entire two
acts of the performance not . hitch
occurred nor was false note uttered.
While the principals deserve praise for
the splendid manner in which their
respective characters were portrayed,
yet the chorus was not behind in the
volume, melody or perfect time dis
played. Tho encouragement given
the society by the public was of SUBJ
stantial nature, and will undoubtedly
cause the early repetition of the pres.
ent success.
The great treat, however, occurred
Monday night, when the Calhoun
Opera Company gave its initial per-
performance. That gem of comic op-
era, "Said Pasha," was presented for
the first time in this city. Although
expectations had been aroused, the
musical public was hardly prepared
for the surprise in store for them.
The opera is full of pretty music and
excrucistingly funny things from start
to finish. Of the prima donna, Miss
Laura Clement, all that had been pub
lished regarding her fame as an opera
singer was more than carried out. As
Serena in "Said Pssha" she fairly
captured the audience. With q sweet
and artistic voice and most pleasing
face and figure, the prima donna could
not avoid being success. George
Lyding, tenor, and William Schuster,
baritone, have voices far above any
that have thus far appeared in the
Northwest, and the comedians, Doug
las Flint and Kirkland Calhoun, were
simply great. Every part of "Said
Pasha" was in the hands OF an artist.
But as an evidence of the popularity
Of this truly talented company. we
have but to refer to the succeeding
performance. The weather was decid-
eddy bad, and yet the largest audience
of the season was present to witness
the old and beautiful Bohemian
Girl" Having had one night of comic
opera it was but fit that we should
have one Of grand opera, and none
closer to the musical hearts of the
people could have been selected. 1t
was in this opera that the Calhoun
company showed its true artistic merit.
From the rise to the fall of the cur.
tain the beautiful strains of Balfe's
greatest composition were poured
forth from the throats of principals
and chorus with q preciseness and
nicely that enthrallel its hearers.
Miss Clements rendition OF -" I dreamt
I Dwelt in Marble Halls" and "Then
You'll Remember Me" could not have
been surpassed by any queen of song.
George Lyding's solos. particularly
The Fair Land OF Poland" were
marvels of sweetness presented by
magnificent tenor voice. William
Schuster's Heart Bowed Down." to-
gether with his splendid acting, was
something delightful. The Queen of
the Gypsies, Mrs. Sylvester Cornish,
was a character placed in excellent
hands. The Gypsy chorus which runs
all through the opera seems yet to
ring in the ears of the audience of
Tuesday night. Douglas Flint. the
Gypsy Chief, is q comedian of more
than ordinary merit and singer of
rare ability. The minor parts and the
chorus of the Calhoun company are
the fit accompaniment of firsi-class
operate organization.
This event has demonstrated one
thing, however, that our local talent
does not suffer materially by cont rast
with the best of professionals. 1t is
by no means in Disagreement of the
Calhoun Opera Company or excess of
praise for the St. Johns Musical So
ciety to say this.