Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-31
ANU SEMENTS.

Academy Of Music.-A large and enthusi-
astic audience assembled at the Academy of
Music last night to witness the performance
of The Three Dukes" by a local amateur
company styling themselves the Washing
tonians. The opera is the work of two for
mer high school boys. and both in music
and libretto is shown the evidence of decid-
ed talent. Many of the numbers are de-
cidedly catchy. and the audience was quick
to recognize the fact and applause was
abundant. Much originality of construc-
ton Is shown by the composer and in some
of the concerted numbers excellent effects
are produced. The musical score is better
than that of some comic operas that have
made professional successes, and the book
contains much that is bright and sparkling.
The company presenting the opera is an ex-
celient one and shows what a wealth of
amateur talent there is in Washington.
Miss Dorothy Byrde Rogers sings the lead
ing soprano part and her sweet and pow
erful voice Is heard to excellent advantage
She received an emphatic encore to each
of her solos. and richly deserved them. The
invocation to the moon in the second act
with all its difficulties of intervals, was a
test of the excellence of her work, while in
the concerted numbers in which she par
ticipated her clear tones were heard above
all the others. Her character of Donna
Isabelle made her the mother of two daugh-
pretty face and youthful appearance could
not to be disguised, and decidedly negatived
the lines of the book that referred to her
as a hack number. Miss Bertha Lincoln
has had some professional experience and
this was manifest in the ease of manner
will which she took the part of Valencia
She dressed 1t appropriately and richly, all
her costumes being the subject of highly
complimentary remark by the feminine por-
tion Of the audience She sang artisticaiiy
and was encored, both in her bolero in the
first act, and in her song in the second
The latter had to be repeated twice before
the audience would be satisfied, Miss Ce-
ella sullivan Is the youngest of the three
principals and as this is her first venture
In opera her performance was quite remark
able. She is an exceedingly pretty girl and
sings and acts with considerable spirit.
She, too, was complmented by an encore
to her solo in the second act
The principal male characters are taken
by w. II. Harris, Don Cachucha: Hans
Robert. Stephano; Felix Mahoney, Sebas-
tian, and Zen. Judson, Benzino, and while
they are hardly up to the standard set
by the ladies they are all good and fur
nish much amusement by their acting
Ihey carry the musical numbers allotted
them effectively. Mr.. Harris is a good
comedian and in his topical song was re-
called again and again until he was alb
soluteiy wearied with the work. 1t was
good work, however, and as the stanzas
were his own the desire for more on the
part OF the audience was highly compli-
mentary. The others in the cast were
Miss Willie Z. Barton. who doubled the
parts Of Marquita and FREDERICK; Arthur
Gardner, the landoard; Saml Bruckheimer.
! Tamborini; w. w. Cullison. Pctro; r. T.
Oliver Mateo, and Master Luckett fan
bearer, all of whom acquitted themselves
creditaSly.
There was children's ballet introduced
in the first act, which proved highly at
ira ctive and had to be repea ted.
The chorus was especially strong and
effective and much OF their work had to
be repeated. The orchestra, which was d.
rected by the composer. Mr.. Arthur Percy
Harris, was large one and played in good
form. Mr.. W. II. Harris, the librettist
was the stage manager and it need only
be said that the opera was handsomely
costumed and mounted. The Three
Dukes will be repeated tonight ard for
the remainder of the week, with matinee
on Saturday. The performances are for
the benefit of the charity fund of John A.
Rawlins Post and this fact, as well as the
merit of the production, should induce a
large attendance.