Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-30
IN MU SICAL CIRCLES
Jack the Giant Killer" New Children's
Opera, Success.
II Was Handsomely Given BY the
Phelps Building operate Company
Other Interesting Notes.

The musicale Of Prof Mama last Wednes-
day evening proved that there are singers
in Washington that have the ability to in
terpret the best operas, either in recital
form or with full costume and accessories,
and 1t is not unlikely that next season the
form of entertainment that has become
quite popular in New York-that of giving
musicales, feature of which shall be an
act from some opera-will become the prop
er thing among the wealthy residents Of
this city. 1t would be pleasing variation
from the concert numbers now SO common,
and then, too. there could be the accompani-
ments of orchestra and costume II the giver
should so desire. The expense would not
exceed that of securing a few singers for
concert solos, and the satisfaction obtained
would be tar greater.
Mr.. Harry Weaton Towards new Juvenile
opera, entitled Jack, the Giant Killer"
had its first presentation at the hall of the
Central High School on Thursday night and
scored an emphatic success not only for
the composer but also for the young people
who sang the leading roles. 1t was pro-
duced without the adventurous aids given
by such accessories as footlights. scenic eff
fects or orchestral accompaniment, and
stood on its own merits as an original musi-
cal and dramatic creation.
The constant recurrence Of certain musi-
cal phrases, introducing certain dramatic
features, and the occasional use of mono
tone recitative, betrays the familiarity with
the Wagnerian school gained during Mr..
Howard's sojourn abroad, but the opera is
replete with telling melodies, which are lit
orally catch airs" abiding in the memory
with a persistent associative power like
those gems of the Italian school, which are
for this cause so perennially popular. In
fact, this little opera, besides being a new
departure In the line of juvenile music of a
high class, is another step in the distinct
lively American style, now in It's formative
state.
Master Burton Garrett, as Jack, the hero
or the opera, sang effectively, bringing
down the house by the solo, in which he
reveals himself. and again in the trio, I'VE
Wish the World to Witness" Miss Marie
Howe gave a remarkable rendering of the
combined recitative and solo, Its True"
In which she discloses the existence of the
little princess, a piece of narrative work
peculiarly difficult to execute artisticaly,
and whose skillful management from so
young child was a striking exhibition of
her talent. Master Harry Campbell looked
every inch king, and sang with voice of
firm timbre. and with so perfect an enuncia-
ton as to render the development of plot,
much of which fell to him, lucid and artist
ic. The Giant, Mr.. Ed. B. Fox, is so well
known, both as an actor and for the quality
of his well-rounded baritone voice, that 1t
need only be said that he performed we'll
the role. Misses Edith Stowell, the chief
Amazon, and Clara Moran, the youngest
princess, also sang their soprano solos well.
and took their parts so ably as to raise them
to the front rank among the Juvenile prima
donnas, with which Washington seems to
be wonderfully well endowed. On the whole
the performance was a great success, the
only criticism made, and that very gen.
eral one, being that the unsuitabiity of the
hall and stage for the setting of so ambi-
tious performance marred much the dra-
matte effects attempted. 1t is to be hoped
that the Phelps Building operate Company,
as the society so modestly inaugurated last
year should now be called. may be in
duced to give the opera in the future amid
more harmonious surroundings. Another
performance given Saturday afternoon was
equally successful, and was witnessed by
fully as large an audience. On this occa-
sion Master Talmadge was the King, and
was fully up to the mark. To Misses Gar
rison and Connolly, the teachers in the
Phelps School. who organized the chorus
and who looked after the children at the re-
hearsals, great credit is due.
There was one feature at the Mama
musicale that seemed to be overlooked, not
Intentionally. but just simply because II was
work of subordinate character, and yet
was absolutely essential to the proper sue
cess of the singers This was the playing
of the accornpanist, Mr.. Harry Howard
His task was an arduous one. but he full
filled IL in the most satisfactory manner,
making the piano a support to the singers
effects. The instrument was never obtru-
sive, but was made to assist and sustain
both in solo and concerted numbers and the
performer is entitled to the warmest praise
for his unasSuming yet conscientious and
artistic work.
For some months past II has been known
in local musical and theatrical circles that
the entertainment committee of John A.
Rawlins Post. No. 1. G. A. r., has favored
series of performances for the benefit of the
posts charity fund. The character of the
performances has been the only emba rrass-
ing feature of the scheme. Several members
of the committee, 1t seems saw the first
presentation of "The Three Dukes" the
work of w. II. and A. Percy Harris, two of
Washington's young men, and became sat
isfed that their long cherished wish could
be gratifed, If they could secure the right
to produce the Dukes" Negotiations were
commenced. and. 1t is said. have terminated
favorably. and 1t is also said that the Acad-
envy of Music has been engaged for six per-
formances. commencing with the afternoon
of Wednesday. May 30 next Decoration
day., and ending Saturday night, June 2.
The company is now in rehearsal, having a
strong cast and a chorus of fifty of WASH
ington's finest voices.
Mr.. Archibald Olmstead has been elected
to succeed Mr.. John Porter Lawrence as
the accompanist of the Capital Glee Club
Mr.. Olmstead was one of the accompanies
at the rehearsals of the Capitol Centennial
Chorus last September, under Director
Coward who recognized his iltness and
recommended him for his present Office.
The glee club. which usually holds its
weekly meetings on Tuesday evenings,
last week, on account of the rehearsals
of the Washington Mask and Wig Club,
to which many of the glee club members
belong, omitted it's session. Mr.. Olmstead
will play for the first time on Tuesday
evening.
On the evening of the I'd of May the sa-
cred cantata of the Holy City, composed
by Alfred Gaul, will be repeated by the
vested choir of Epiphany Church, under
the direction of Mr.. H. Clough-Leighter,
organist and choirmaster of the parish, to
whom is due the perfect excellence, both
musical and otherwise, attending the first
rendition of this work in this city last
March. The success of this first perform
ance and the many requests, not only from
persons residing in this city, but elsewhere
have induced Mr.. Leighter, contrary to
his principle of Letting good enough
alone" to repeat the cantata.
The program for the coming annual musi-
Gale of Mrs II. II. Miles and her pupils is
out. and shows a wide range of selections
from the best composers. A novel feature
will be the opening number, ladies' chorus
of sixty-ive, which will be directed by Mr..
Eugene Stevens. Among the numbers will
be the Polonaise from "Mignon," the
shadow song from "Dinorah" and the SEX
tet frcm Lucia" The Philharmonic Quar-
known organization of ladies and the sec
ond composed of male voices, both of which
were formed and are under the direction of
Mrs. Miles, will participate.
Early Morning Advice.
From the Detroit Free Press.