The morning call., 1894-02-02
=
In Noah Brandt's Opera of
+" Captain Cook"
SOME NAUTICAL HISTORY.
Successful Work of a Local
Composer.
ALEXANDRA BANDURRIA CLUB.
An Agreeable Concert in Golden Gate
HaII-The Art Institute
Musicale.
ALHAMBRA BANDURRIA CLUB.

Noah Brandt has struck an original and
delightful vein of inspiration in his opera
of Captain Cook" reading rehearsal of
W hch was given yesterday afternoon In
Metropolitan lem pie.
The music is TO great extent based
upon the nelodic character of Hawaiian
themes. These weird, wild chants and
rhythmic dances OF the Sandwich Islanders
have a distinctive charm of their own, and
Mr.. Brandt. while not actually using native
melodies, has woven their characteristics
into a great part of his opera, in a manner
which has proved very effective, aud has
given it character Of striking originality.
At yesterdays reading rehearsal only
the principals assisted. with an orchestra
of twenty five musicians, under the direc-
ton of Noah Brandt, which played the
choruses. 1t was. there fore, imposs BILE to
gather much idea as to the merits of the
libretto, by Sands w. Forman, although.
judging from the argument. it promises to
be interesting and dramatic, with great
capabilities for striking scenic display.
As the name implies the story treats of
the adventures of the historic navigator,
who, going ashore with his festive sailors
on one of the islands of King Kalanopuu.
is mistaken by the natives for White god, and
is presently worShiped. The new Getty Is about
to espouse the fair Princess Ia la, the only
female sOoist IN the opera, when her betrothed,
Oponui, by his lamentations causes her to re-
new her former vows. Unfortunately these are
overheard by the jealous Cook. ana fight
ensues which threatens the extinction OF all
the performers. A sudden eruption of Mauna
Loa, however. makes the mountains sway and
The temples aud idols crumble TO dust, which
manifestation OF the Goddess Pele's dlspleasure
silences all sifiie.
In The last act Cook is wearied OF Hawaii n
surroundings and sails away, after be and his
men have exchanged many expressions of
mutual esteem and admiration with the now
happily united lovers and the Islanders gener.
ally.
1t is impossible in brief notice to do more
than mention few of the most pleasing por-
tiOns of the opera Captain Cooks part which
is baryt0ne role was sung effectively by E.
n. knight. His opening solo, In Me You
Behold" was brilliant dramatic song full Of
swing and rhythm which seemed to "caich on"
immediately. His last song, "a Long Fare
weE,' was also good.
Mrs. Martin Schultz sang the part of Princess
la la very prettily. Her opening aria, "a
Fern Leaf" was full OF melody aud brighIness.
and was written with most effective accom-
paniment. "Sing Your LoudeSt' was another
graceful theme, and 1.-The GIaddest Maid'
even without The accompaniment of chorus of
dusky ma1dens, with which IL is written, was a
very delightful song, as indeed were sever al
other OF la las numbers.
The part OF the lOve-orn tenor. Oponui. was
sung by Willis E. Bachelor. who gave his hear
tfs dU dftlstic treat Dy DtS UuisEcu singing OF
the beautiful song, "When 1 Was Youth
Mr. Bacheiler's voice and method were alike
satisfactory. and his expression aud phrasng
denoted the artist. The manner in which he
took the high without using The mixed voice
fairly brought down the house.
A. Nj. Thornton az koka Bola, sootilsayer.
had a dashing, roliickiDg song in "You See In
Me-" which ne executed very effectively
"Wbat a Pretty Mess I've Made" was another
of koka BOla's songs which is likely TO become
popular. j. +. Fleming. as kaianopuu, the
King. sang a considerable amount OF taxing
dramatic music satisfactorily.
The music in The temple scene was of a more
heavy dramatic character Than the rest of the
opera. and the fullness OF the orchestra rather
Overweighted the three chief participants In II,
la la, Captain Cook and OpOnui. Indeed, In
most of the arias the solOists would have been
heard to bett advantage with less heavy
orchestra. The number OF Instruments, how
ever. served to show better the beauty of many
of the accOmpaniments.
The first native chant. 1--WE Praise the God on
High" at once struck the bearers as a novel
theme. Ii was fascinating, in spite OF It's odd
ness. or perhaps on account Of it. II would be
useless, however, 10 describe the uDfnish d.
weird character OF this and the other Hawaiian
chants; they must be heard for any one TO un-
derstand how strongly characteristic they are
OF the islanders.
The opening of the wedding march, which re-
called MeDdelssOhn. both ip the Midsummer
Nights Dream" march ana the one from
"Athalie." was one Of The very few reminiscent
passages In the ST. ikingy original music of the
opera. After less than fifty bars, however, the
theme of tile march became itself, so to speak
and returned from Mepdelssohn to the Sand.
wich Islands with very pl easing results.