Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-08
AMUSESIENTs.

the nature OF the unusual. Manager Allen, in
his work of remodeling. has proceeded with
a thorolghness and a liberality which makes
it one of the prettiest and most commodi-
Gus theaters in the country. The size of the
house, at one time calculated to give a GER
tain impression of bleakness, now, under
the influence of the well arranged lights,
gives an idea of spacious hospitality. The
spirit of progress manifests itself, too, in
the dressing of the employees. After passing
the entrance arch, refuigent with electric
lights playing upon gilded ornamentation
and rich floral decoration, the amusement
seeker meets, halfway up the lobby. the
well-known figure of Treasurer Arthur
Smith, who smiles from his retreat in the
box Office in all the immaculate radiance
OF evening dress. The doorIeeper is ap-
propriately attired in conventional garb
and the ushers have donned uniforms
which insure their neat appearance at all
times and identity them Immediately to the
eye Oh the visitor. Rugs were laid on the
moor OF the entrance and palms afforded
graceful establishment. The mosaic thing
or the floor is in harmony with the general
effect and the whole impression is one of
richness, the choicest materials of the
decorator being employed lavishly. yet with
an excellent eye to artistic harmony. Not
Wlthstandlng the strong counter-attraction
which Barnum & Bailey offered, the theater
contained a crowd of dimensions seldom
noted there. 1t was a case of standing
room only, very early in the evening. and
Manager Allen was busily employed i'm ex-
pressing his appreciation Of Fluctuations
showered upon him, not only for the success
OF MS effort to give Washington a handsome
theater, but for the manifest disposition of
the public to show a prompt and substan-
tial appreciation. The recurrence of the
summer opera season was a welcome event;
TINS was shown by the applause and the
laughter which greeted the efforts of the
Strakosch Opera Company to edify and
divert. 1910
60,
was the vehicle by which the talents of a
very praisewortny organization were dis
played. The company introduces some old
iavorites, and some people who are new to
the theater goers of the city in this con-
nection. E. s. Connor is the business man
aSer or the company, Mr.. Hageman the
stage manager and Prof. Reynolds the
music director. The smoothness of the per-
Iormance rejected great credit on Mr. Hase-
man and Mr.. Reynolds, and showed q skill
and animation which promised the best re-
suits with the orchestra. The conductor Ia
oL tne rising generation in music, and has
the spirit or youth combined with that SUBJ
stantial development which the facilities
Tor modern musical education make possible
Harriet Avery Strakosch sang the part of
parts Oh Girohe- Girona in highly crafty
ing manner, displaying a voice of delicacy
nrmness and great fexibility. Charles
Bagelow secured the welcome that ALWAYS
awaits him In this city. Fred. Huntley is a
good tenor and everybody knows what
George Broderick can do. Alice Hosmer has
comedy part, which suits her admirably
In bona Aurora, and the minor characters
are taken in satisfactory manner The
new costumes contributed much to an occa
sion which was one of uniform and con-
spicuous brilliancy. There were some nota-
Die people in the audience. among them be-
ing Bronson Howard and David Belasco, two
OF the best known dramatists; Harrison
Grey F1ske, editor of the New York Dra-
matte Mirror, and several other New York
journalists and authors; Senators Chandler
and Gibson. and a large representa- ton from
both houses OF Congress.
A novelty that struck the theater goer at
the very entrance was a Carriage an
nouncer" in the person of a tall, fine look
Ing muiatto man. attired in cream livery
who assisted people in alighting from their
carriages. and who called the vehicles when
the performance was over
National.-"Lord Chumley" held large
reception at the National Theater last
night. and II was glittering success, SO to
speak. Lord Chumley'' is not a stranger
In Washington. and he has made friends
enough here to warrant a big time when he
opened house for the week. And what
goes of Lord Chumley'' goes Of Mr.. E. II.
Sothern, who has so closely identified him
seir with that eccentric nobleman. Possibly
in no other role is Mr.. Sothern seen to bet
ter advantage than in this. and its recep-
ton last night showed how popular play
and player was with the people. Associat-
BLACKSTONE. Mr.. sternroyd. Mr. Selten, Mr.
Marshall, Mr.. Flockton, Mr.. North, Miss
Kimball, Miss Warren. Miss Selten and
Miss Giroux, all good actors. and in thor
ough touch with part and people A pref
tier Eleanor than Miss Kimball is would
be hard to find, and Meggier Meg than
Marion Giroux is not now in sight. 1t is
hardly fair. though, to discriminate in the
distribution Of praise, for each one is equal
ly worthy with another.
Academy.-To one dropping into the Acad-
envy last night without previous warning
the applause would have indicated that a
nr hat
political speech in hot campaign was the
Object Of the meeting. 1t was of the kind
that comes spontaneously and with the ex-
piosive effect of suddenly released emo
tons, and it had the same inspiring effect
Yet it was neither comic opera nor a polit-
ical speech; 1t was grand opera, and the
opera was Verdis III Trovatore" that CD
era In which is the soul of music and Of
melody. and which lives in poetry es well
as in song. 1t is said to be bad form" to
be enthusiastic over grand opera, and II
that be true last nights audience at the
Academy was in bad FORM but il enjoyed
the opera, and the singers had no fault to
md with them because they did. For years
II Trovatore" has been a standard and a
standby, and Its beautiful melodies are
part and parcel of our music language and
will ever remain so. AS presented by the
Hinrichs Opera Company. with Selma
koert-kronold as Leonora, Rosina Torriani
as lnez, Katherine Fleming as Azucena, A.
j.. Guile as Manrico, Del Puente as Count
oil Luns, Viviani rs Fernando and r. Luz
chino as Ruiz. aided by q good chorus and
a very superior orchestra, 1t is hardly to be
expected that anything but the best results
should be had, and they were. Del Puente's
Count Is fine figure in the opera, and the
artist retains his held upon his art and his
audiences. Mr. GGilles beautiful tenor
voice is a pleasure and a surprise and WV
Janis bass is profound. OF the ladies it
may be said that. while hardly equal to the
men in merit, they did not come far short
and sang with artistic effect and dramatic
fervor. There were three or four curtain
calls at the close of the first act and the
audience was carried clear off its feet by
the spirited singing of Guile in Di quella
pira.
Tonight Martha" will be given, with
Nina Bertini Humphreys as Lady Harriet,
Katherine Fleming as Nancy, A. L. Guile
as Lionel. E. N. knight as Plunkett and
Chas. Story as Lord Tristan.
There will be literary and musical en-
tertainment in the chapel of the Church of
the Covenant tomorrow evening, under the
auspices Of the Mems Society. The proceeds
Will be devoted to establishing a free library
and reading room at Peck Chapel Mrs.
9Th <sNarw