Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-11
THE FENCING MASTER LAST NIGHT.
"A Fine Opera, But Its Production Il Some
what Marred-Other Events

"A Fine Opera. But Its Production Ia Some
what Marred-Other Events.
The Fencing Master" by DE Koven e.
Smith. produced in Boston rather more
than two years ago. was seen in Rich
mond for the first time at the Theatre
last night. The story Is clearly told by
Mr. Smith, and there is plenty Of life
in H. There is humor and wit In the
spoken lines, and rhyme and rhymth in
the lyrics. Mr.. De Koyens music is
wholly delightful. His melodies come
easily, the orchestration is neat and ap-
propriatc, and the dramatic sense is made
clear. The principal numbers are fluent
graceful. characteristic, and effective. and
the climaxes are worked up to with reso-
luton and considerable vigor. The full ef
fectivenesS of the opera was interfered
With by the absence Of good voices and
the poor acting Of the principals. Dorothy
Morton has very winning appearance
and she alone sings the dainty music with
beftting spirit. delcacy. and sweetness
David Torrencc worked hard and quite
unsuccessfully as FOrtunio. An awkward
ness Of gesture and movement. allied TO
an utter lack Of vocal resource, render
him entirely unfit for the part. a. NJ
HOlbrook. who essayed the role Of Wis
CONT, Duke OF Milan, is not cut out for
the part save In the fact that he Is fairly
nimble. His humor is not quaint or
graphic and he is not successful in point
ing his lines. oscar Girard displays CON
siderable energy as Pasqulno, and the
rest Of the cast are inconspicuous. The
chorus is full and efficient To please the
eye is no mere secondary consideration in
comic opera, and the successive scenes are
attractive and animated, the grouping is
picturesque. and the costumes effective.
The opera will be repeated tonight.
I'm OLD KENTUCKY"
The next attraction is "In Old Ken
lucky" which may b. seen at the
Academy tomorrow and Thursday The
play enjoyed a genuinely successful run
Of seven months at the New York
Academy of Music last season, when it
was warmly commended by the press for
its vividity, originality, and intense dra-
matte force. 1t is said TO be an unusually
interesting and graphic story Of life in the
mountainous and Blue Grass REGIONS of
Kentucky. written with spirit. imaglna-
ton. and an eye for effectiveness in con-.
struction. The company includes the fol-
lowing people: Lizzie Evans. Charlotte
Winnett. Louise Banfield, Gustave Fran
kel, H. b. Bradley. Paul Gilmore. L. l..
Snader, and J. b. Murphy.
DIR. STAFFORD'S LECTURE.
The Rev. DR.. d. j. Stafford, the we'll
known orator and exponent OF Shakes
peare. will appear at the Academy next
Thursday evening under the auspices Of
the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The
subject of the learned Doctors discourse
will BE- Hamlet" and it is safe to predict
that he will give a masterful analysis of
the play. which will be no less instructive
than Il will be intensely interesting. DR..
Stafford's conception OF "Hamlet' is said
TO be profound and poetic, and his inter
pretations equal TO those Of the greatest
masters. The proceeds OF the entertain
ment will he devoted 70 the relief Of .he
destitute and poor Of Richmond. The Old
Dominion Sextette Will furnish the musical
part OF the programme.