Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-12-22

The handling of the finale of the second
act is one of the best examples of meri-
torious and musicianly work heard for
some time I'm light opera. AS for indi-
vidual songs, they have definite char
acter, good rhythm, and an easy swing
that makes them popular. Several of
the catch songs are verltable sensa.
lions, such as the serlO-comic song Of
the sextuple widow, with national airs
ingeniOusly woven into the chorus; and
the duet, "Mary Had Little Lamb"
for GOurmond and the widow, carried
over very thin basis Of strings. Mad
eleine's aria, "Oh, Heart, Foolish
Heart" set to waltz rhythm, was q bril-.
liant bit of writing; and her song in the
last act, LET Me Dream Again." had n
delightful and sympathetic musical set
ting.
The audience was quite enthusiastic
over the music and its Interpretation.
Miss D'Arville won number of double
recalls, and many of the songs of less
note were encored. The song of the
widow caught the popular taste i'm
mensely. as did the amusing duet trib-
ute to "Nlary's Little Lamb" At the
close Of the second act the curtain was
called up five times, which may be con-
sidered good evidence Of the welcome
this portion Of the work received.
| The company Is an excellent one in,ll-
vidually and collectively. and has the
assistance of comely and well-train-
cd chorus. George G. Boniface, Jr., en-
tered with zest to develop the oppOr-
tunities afforded In the part of GOur-
met. He found great favor with the
audience, and made It uproariously
funny from start to finish. In the COM
cdy he had very CHEEKY, buxOm,
and vivaciOus companion In the per-
son of Miss Marie Drcssler. COM
edicnne. very droll and delightful. in
defining n role that might be readily
ruined by one less clever and versatile.
J. X. Murry. a well.known baritone.
made his first appearance rs Frederic
Ribeau. and was consequently mt some
disadvantage In fully defining the mu.
sic. Under the circumstances, he Is to
be credited with capable work. Hilda
1lollins and Maud 1IOllins have
small roles, that they sustain with
modest merit. One Of the surprises of
the evening was the appearance Of An.
brcy Boucicault, who has left the field
of standard comedy for the somewhat
uncertain artistic fortunes of light
! opera. He appeared as Baron Grimm.
! and displayed his intelligent versatility
In pOrtraying the four ages of his OK
istence In n style that showed that the
+ talent of the famous sire had settled
on the son. He sings with taste, but
u the artistic finish with which he de-
G fined the difficult and changing role
l. surprised his most earnest admirers.
II Messrs. Shea and Askins. the enter
: prislng young managers of this CON-
II pany are to be congratulated upon 80.
y curing such a promising artist for light
Z" opera.
.. Miss Camille d'Arville easily bears
Il the stellar hOnOrs in the title role Oi
y Madeleine. or all the light Opernti,
u primn donnas now before the public
s. she easily leads In creative capacity
lc ind naturally makes Madeleine mos,
~ fascinating figure. charming In spirit
y vlvnclty, grace. and intelligence. Sh,
=. Inns the chic ana refinement Of til,
ic French school. and while ever alive I,
1T the spirited demands Of the work
III touches the sentiment and pathOs will
Is artistic grace. In defining the must,
Of she IL always artistic, frequently brill
10 liant, and her upper and medium tone
Z; are particularly sparkling ana telling
ri The waltz song In the second act give
u. the opportunity for TECHNICAL displa.
nj with n brilliant cadenza, and the dream
nv song In her last net shows her sympa
Ell thetic power. Her reception was mos
Iy enthusiastic. At the close Of the sec
&C. ond net, In response to series of Gu,
al tain calls, she finally brought Mr.. Ed
mt wards to the front ana introduced hin
Of rs the composer. She then returne
on thanks ON behalf of herself and til
|ly company In a brief and well-turnc
he speech. "Aladeleine" II attractivcl
cd staged and well cOstumed.