The record-union., 1895-12-03
AMUSEMFNTS.

At the Clunie Opera-house last even
ing the EIdridge-Hallett Stock Com
pany produced the sensational fouract
comedy drama. more properly the melo-
drama, Solomon Isaacs" known when
played here before as Queens Evil
dence." 1t is well mounted and
well played. Mr.. Hallett as Isaacs
surprised his best friends. Stepping
from the level OF the heavy villain to
that of the low comedian is long
stride, but TO FIJI the latter role as well
as he plays the former is an achieve
ment we had not credited him with. 1t
is simply justice to say that his lSaacS
is one of the best things he has done
here. He robs the part of some of its
coarseness and invests it with much OF
kindly sentiment without permitting
the comedy vein to suffer. Mr.. Montser-
rat was more effective, more artistic,
as Medland than in any role he has as
sEmed this season. He interpreted the
part with intelligent appreciation Of
the feeling of a man situated as is the
hero OF the play, falsely accused OF
crime, convicted and avoiding justice,
and yet impelled by conscious innocence
TO face the dangers Of seizure and
transportation, in order to assure him
self of the means that had been en-
his wife and child Misses Miffiin,
Bridges and Gassman were very sue
cessful in the roles assumed, the two
first named having the more difficult
parts Mr. Brewer was the polished
rascal OF the melodrama-there always
Is villain in this class of plays, as also
d prosecuted woman-and presented the
part with such success as to win from
the more impressionable Of the audi
for Mathew Thornton. The play Will be
given every night this week and prom
ises to draw full houses.
*m&
There was a large audience at the
SiXth-street NJ. Z. Church last night
the occasion being the first appearance
of the Ladies' Choral Society The soci-
ETY. appeared some thirty strong, with
Mrs. Frances MOeller as director and
Miss DunSter as accOmpanist on piano
and organ. In one number where both.
instruments were used she was as
sisted by Mrs. c. A. Neale The leading
voices were those of Mrs Moeller, Miss
Emma Felter, Mrs. Coppersmith, Miss
Reeves, Miss Foster and Mrs. Genshlea
Mrs. Moeller proved entire capacity as
director, and conducted the society
with precision, ease and with excellent
judgment. AS a rule, women do not
make good musical directors lacking
evidently the VigOr and precision in
commanding a chorus group, but Mrs.
Moeller proved herself 10 be an eXcep-
ton. Miss Felter in her solo, 'Sancta
Maria" had heavy task, but accom-
plished with credit. In response to the
deserved encore she gave a selection in
better voice and with more feeling than
we have had occasion to credit her with
in a long time. The chorus gem of the
evening was Ave Maria" with the solo
part by Mrs. COppersmith, whose cul-
tiVated, sweet and sympathetic voice
was heard to the very best advantage.
The encore that followed and resulted
in repetition of the number was richly
deserved Mrs. Moeller's two solos were
well rendered and demonstrated her
musical ability and the sympathetic
character of her fine mezzo-soprano-
the second OF her numbers was by far
the most effective, when Love Doth
Build His Nest It would be pleasant
to speak of the trio by Misses Reeves
and Foster and Mrs. Genshlea as good.
But the truth is, that it was ill-chosen-
a selection from Elijah" While it was
we'll enough sung and by capable voices,
it failed to awaken sympathy or appeal
to the audience in any manner, and
came very near peing received with alb
solute coldness. The chorus sang
smoothly, with praiseworthy regard for
time, and discriminating dynamic eff
fects. The society should feel encour-
aged. Ali such organizations are praise
worthy. They stimulate love for good
music, quicken the taste for music
study. We ought to have a choral So
ciety of 200 good voices in Sacramento.
The voices are here; why there cannot
be maintained successful organization
is not understandable. We have seen a
dozen efforts made to bring about the
desired result, but success has been
sh0rtlived in every instance. We know
Of towns not half the size of this with
choral societies Of long existence. with
from 100 to POO trained voices. and
there ought to be no reason why We
cannot do as we'll We trust that the
Ladies Choral Society will live and en-
large it's roster greatly.