The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-11
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.
First Performance of the Light Opera
Entitled Leonardo"


to the Providence Opera House last night with
much the feeling which might be supposed to
accompany doubtful experiment. The at
traction was the threea act lyrical opera,
Leonardo" ana, in the more expressive
than elegant language OF the profession, IL
was being "tried on tie dogs" that Is, Its
first performance was last evening at a
theater where audiences are supposed to be
critical and not given to oyermuch enthusi'
asfD.
That the audience was agreeably disap-
pointed was manifested by frequent encores
and an enthusiastic recall OF the entire COM
pany after the tail OF the last curtain.
The theme OF the ope n Is pretty and simple.
The librettist, MIR. Gilbert Burgess has told
the love story or Leonardo and the Lady
Beatrice in an interesting and direct way,
which at tho outset arouses an interest that
only increases with the progress OF the opera.
Leonardo Is a young sculptor of Florence
whose fame has reached Milan, aud he is
desires to secure the services OF artist
worthy enough TO make the statue OF her
father, the Duke. Prom there on the story
OF their love Is so cleverly told that the fact
scores OF others does not detract in the least
from its interest. The second scene shows n
square at Milan where the completed statue
of the Duke Is unveiled and Leonardo receives
the homage of the crowds Of students and
citiz7ns and the commentator of his patron.
But his exhaltaton Is short-lved, because of
the jealousy OF Lucretia woman OF the
court, who informs the Duke that his sculptor
Is also his daughters lover. Leonardo leaves
Milan in disgrace and proceeds to Livarno,
whore, in recognition OF his genius, he re-
ceives the favor Of the prince and is well
established. In the meantime Milan Is over
thrown and the Duke and his followers cast
into prison. The expected denouement then
follows. The now wealthy sculptor buys the
freedom OF the Duke and the Princess of Milan
becomes his bride.
There are practically no minor situations.
but little comedy, absolutely no catch tricks
of the extravaganza variety and at no time
IS the main story lost sight Of
In the third act, when the scene Is laid at
the garden in Livarno, n group of unsightly
beggars are brought IN without contributing
In the slightest degree 10 the general ex-
cellsnce of the whole. Their song is neither
pretty, nor catchy. and this feature consti.
tutes the one weak spot in the opera. What
other defects there may have been last even
ing. such as an occasional lapse on the part of
the orchestra and one or two blunders in
grouping by the chorus can be wholly ac-
counted for by the fact that it was a first
performances.
The whole idea is one OF sentiment and all
tho accessories add to the general romantic
effect. The costumes are new and are re.
markably attractive; the grouping Is pic
turesQue.
The role of the sculptor Leonardo is carried
by George A Devoll, a fairly good tenor.
Miss Marguerite Lemon who has the part Of
Beatrice. is y most attractive little woman
with voice that Is wondrously sweet and
clear. Miss Lucille Saunders is n good con.
tralto and her rendering OF the solos assigned
to Lucretia, woman OF the court, added
greatly to the musical attraction. Miss Vir-
She is the poetess at the court OF Milan. and,
together with j. IL. Ryley as Fra Patchouli,
the mathematician. furnishes the comedy.
what there Is OF IL is good and there Is Just
Mr.. Albert McGucken as Marco, Mr. Grant
Odell es Angelo and Mr Hobart smock al
Duke Ludivici are the other principals OF 9
cast that IL altogether satisfactory.
Ths music for the new opera was written
by Mr. Il. Pearsall Thorne.