Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-13
ANU SENIlCNTS.

The Sousa Band Concert.-Nowhere is
there warmer regard for John Philip
Sousa than in this his native city. Wash
ington is proud of his success, and it's
music-loving people watch his career with
pleasure: He has now a band composed
of the finest musicians ever got together,
and their ensemble work surpasses that
of any similar organization. They are
equally at home in classical works and in
those of lighter character, while in the
marches, for which John Sousa is famous,
they are unapproachable. The two con-
certs given at Metzerott Music Hall yes
terday afternoon and last night were pro-
ductive of more enthusiastic applause than
has been heard in Washington since Sousa
was here last While the artistic work of
the band was appIauded and appreciated,
the real enthusiasm broke out when
Sousa's own marches were played, and the
Liberty Bell" with realistic bell effect;
Manhattan Beach, and his last effort,
THE Directorate could have been re-
peated again and again if the audience had
had it's way. Some of the novelties given
on the program were serenade by La
combe, plantation Dances by Arnold,
and the Fly Minuet'' from Czibulka's new
opera, Die Bajazzo." Mr.. Sousa has his
force under perfect control and all were
obedient to his WILL Nine. Guthrie Meyer
was the vocal solost, and pleased by her
excellent and artistic work.
1.-The Knickerbockers." -DeKoven and
Smiths opera, THE knickerbockers," was
given at the Academy of Music yesterday
by the excellent company sent out by
Messrs. Barnabee & Macdonald, and 1t
pleased not only by its graceful melodies
and witty dialogue but also by the praise
worthy manner in which the members of
the cast performed their parts. There are
numbers that will prove very popular and
there is concerted music that is artistic as
well effective. The opera is well cos
OF oh y,oan ytrith
nearly as great success as Robin Hood"
The Cannibal King. Tonight at the
hall of the Central High School there will
be produced for the first time an opera by
Harry Wheaton Howard, entitled 1.-The
Cannibal King" The music is written esq
pecially for children, and is said to be
fully as pleasing in character as that Of
Jack the Giant Killer"
Those who will present the work are all
children of the public schools and they
have been carefully rehearsed by Prof
Howard until they have reached a high
degree of perfection. The book affords
some opportunities for nice dramatic work
and many of the young people have devel-
oped considerable ability in that respect
The story Is that many years previous to
the opening of the opera the little tribe of
the To-dy-tu's has been defeated in bat
tie by the king Of mighty nation (who
We're said to be cannibals). The king had
declared that each twenty years he would
return and carry off the most beautiful
offered resistance they would be seized
and eaten. The opera opens with festivi-
ties attending the betrOthal of VIII o. the
Wisp and True Heart. Speckled Hen in
terrupts the general rejoicing by declaring
that this Is the very day on which the
dreaded cannbal king was to return and
claim his ransom. Ali discuss the situation
and decide that the best thing to he done
is to select the maiden themselves by cast
ing lots. The lot fell on VIII o. the Wisp
True Heart tries in vain 20 think of some
way to save his bride from her frightful
doom Until he learns that SpeCkled Hen
is quite willing to wed the cannibal king
The solitary figure of n stranger is seen
approaching and is greeted by all the
king
In the second act II Is discovered that
both the chief aud VIII o. the Nisp have
become resigned TO the situation. As
they argue, though his majesty ~ "A Canni-
bal still he II a kiuE. and u IN not every
girls privilege Co we'd genuine king
Tho chief H. st loss what 90 provide for
tho kings roppst until the broken hearted
lover. True Heart declares that he ~ Will
inE 90 be sacrificed and eaten. Complica-
lions arise, but every thing H. cleared up
when ~ H. discovered that tho stranger
H. not the DREADED kiug nor even q can