The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-15
AT THE THEATERs

Los Angeles Theater.-The Bostonians
we're greeted last night with magnificent
audience to witness their presentation OF
the new opera, Prince Ananias. Every
seat in the Los Angeles theater was occu-
piel and the splendid assemtlaRe must
have slim ulated tho favorits players to
do their best, for the opera was rendered
with q spirit and dash which, combined
with the uniformly good singing and
dramatic ability OF the several actors and
actresses, made it pronounced SUCCESS
for the mana cement and delightful en-
teitainment for the music-loving people
who were there to see and hear the in
itial production 10 this city.
Ths librs.to, by Francis els N Nell" :
It all IL II drollsry that keeps one in rare
good humor With oneself and tho players.
Prince Ananias ID almost without q plot,
and is wholly innocent Of anything that
might be mistaken for . climax. IL 10
clever literary effort that has for the OBJ.
ject of its writing nothing more ambi-
lesson; it carries no moral. Its purpose
is to divert and to beRuile. and admira.
bly, does 1t fulfill its purpose. In q way,
part humorous. part satir cal. 1t does in-
deed give homily to stage struck peo
pie, but Its aim is to amuss-not i'm
struct.
The music. generally speaking, Is not
tunsful. There are q number OF gen.
uinsiy musical and charming airs.
There are many finely conceived duos
and trios. and the ch0ruses are in some in
stances superb. bus IS stated, the compo-
sition OF Victor Herbert, a. heard in
Price Ananias, doss not come under the
generic term, tuneiul. There is nothing
in 1t. with pc silby one exception, that
10 liable to be whistled by the street
gamin or which is destined to be for a
brief term the favorite '.piecs" of young
girl pianists generally. The opera IL the
better for it. The music 10 rich in color
aotef that appeals to the educated ear
and wins for itself recognition and APP
probation.
The story is . simple one and briefly
told. A hungry vassbond poet and ad-
venturer, and an outlaw, the former we'll
pilgrim, ADOPT ready plan to cheat
village innkeepsr into furnishing good
cheer. At the same inn, La Fontaine.
manager Of q band of strolling players is
temporarily lodged. Among the lady
histrious Is 1dalia. the leading lady,
the menaser's assistant. at the same
time falls a victim to the charms OF
Ninette. the village belle. All cast their
fortunes together and finally the fates
smile upon them because La Fontaine
sucoesds in arousing SuEiface, king of
Navarro, from his lethargy and gloom
and making him smils--and more,
known to do. Louis Biron, the vaga-
bond poet, when hard pressed for the
payment Of a debt. takes advantage of
bis unusually tine attire and passes nim-
self off as prince. Prince shat? When
asked this question. George La Grabbe.
the pilgrim-appearing outlaw, suggests
fol- answer Ananias. and so through all
the experiences and vicissitudes and final
triumphs Of the rollicking crew he is
known to all-peasants, roysterers. fair
women. the prime minister and tae king
aliKe-ss Prince Ananias. The journey
opportunities for effective groupings and
ludicrous situations, all OF which have
been taken advantage nf.
Boniface, King of Navarro, appears on
the boards only towards tho end OF the
second and last act. Gsorge B. Froth-
little ~ do and less to sing. The one
song carried by the part, A Regal Sad
ness tits On Me, is in accord with the
sentiment. However, Mr.. Rockingham
makes the moat of 1t. His facial make
up is grossly exaggerated and would be
better for less liberal use of rouge.
W. H. Macdonald as Louis Biron, the
vaeabond poet and adventurer. whU ap-
propriates the rank and title OF Prince
Ananias, has q good voice, good stage
presence and good dramatic instinct.
Mr.. Eugene Cowles, who played the part
of George La Grabbe, is the possessor of a
magnificent bass which he uses with al
mirable effect. This was especially true
in his Under An Oak One Fine June
Morn. Every inch OF mis- physique might
have been that of an outlaw. disguised
IS pilgrim his song aside from the
rarely rich voice and the splendid hand
ling It received. had every accessory to
hit Ut the evening. La Fontaine. the
head Of the player band, was interpreted
by Mr.. Henry Clay Barnabee, whose ex.
cellert work deserves much praise. Many
OF his witticisms were interpretations.
His voice is very flexible and musical
good field for the exhibition OF his quail
tites as q comedian. Mr.. Harold Flake.
who played the part of Eugene, has
fine tenor, but it is colorless.
Helen Bertram as Ninette. is a dainty
bit Of Dresden. She has a soprano which
is sweet even in the higher register. OF
Jessie Bartlett DAVIS. who played the
part OF Idalia, it can be said that she does
not grow any younger. Despite this fact,
however, she possesses still beautiful
contralto which has much OF its old time
freshness and nearly all of its former
richness. She carriet the part with her
usual grace and captivated her auditors.
AS ldalia she has not SO very much to do
but what she does is done exceedingly
we'll.
Orpbenm.-The engagement of Divide
Musin to appear at the Orpheum with
his full company Is likely to create a fu-
rore In social and musical circles. Not
only will the renowned violin virtuoso
appear, but he will be assisted by the
prima donna sopiano Annie Louise
Muslin and the eminent pianist Eduard
Schraf. Divide MusIn is now ON bis third
tour Of the world, and after the compile
ton of his engagement will go direct to
ia pan. He will arrive in this city Mon
day from Mexico, where ne gavs q series
of concerts unSer the patronage OF Presi-
dent Diaz.
The Bro klyn Standard. Union recently
said: "Ovids Musin, who. il not the SUI.
perior, is at the least the peer OF any
living violinist. with bis fine company Of
artists, gave most successful concert at
the Academy last evening. As to Mr..
Musin himself, 1t needs but few OF his
opening phrases to convince the hearer
that he Is more than a vIrtuoso-he is
genius Of very high order.
OF Anna Louise Musin the New York
Times. the most severely critical paper in
the country, said: "Annie Louise Musln
displayed q voice of uncommon range
and flexibility. In the welI-known aria
from Die Zauoer Flute she sent forth the
staccati, extending from above the staff
N X NTH aase prortv:on and m o,..I