Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-02-28

which keep running through ones
head when once heard, and several
arias which show ability of marked
degree. So many so-called comic operas
have met with the disapproval of their
audiences from the first that the collab-
orators of this piece may at least take
courage from the many kind words eX-
pressed by all who saw the production.
While in many cases our friends here
are apt to praise any local play more
than it deserves, travellers and chance
visitors who have no interest in either
actors or play are prone to be blunt in
their criticisms. There were number
of strangers present at both produc-
tions, and without exception they pro-
nounced it one of the prettiest operas
they ever saw, and far more worthy of
a place in the city theatres than many
an opera which has had a long run.
The cast was well selected and the
parts were exceedingly well done. That
several of the cast and chorus were suf-
fering from bad colds detracted some
what from the merit due for their con-
ception of the parts, but sickness is I'M
avoidable aud the opera came at time
when lung difficulties were in evidence
everywhere. Harry Elliott and Harry
Carder had both been confined to the
house the first of the week with colds,
and neither could speak or sing in GUS
tomary voice. Miss Annie Fletcher,
too, was suffering from a severe cold
This in measure accounts for the
weak voices of some, which was the
only unfavorable criticism heard of the
opera.
The singing of Miss Marcia Sawyer,
whose equal no town in the state can
at present claim, was of itself sufficient
attraction for many and was combined
with good stage presence. Miss Case
was in excellent voice, rendering sew
eral soprano selections in charming
manner. Her dramatic action, too
showed familiarity with the stage that
amateurs hardly hope to possess with
out long and patient study. The act
ing of Miss Annie Fletcher was very
good, and was commended by many.
A severe cold made her voice weak,
and she sung with difficulty. Miss
Ruth White, the fisherman's child,
carried her part with modesty born
of ability. She has sweet voice,
strong for a child of her years, which
if cultivated will win her a name near
the head of the list Of Vermont's sweet
singers.
George B. Wheeler caught the house
with his impersonation of the clairvoy-
ant. His acting was that of a profess
sional and his singing fully equal to
any he has ever done. And you know
what that means Will E. Bowtell had
part that was apparently written for
him. His action was natural and the
musical part was beyond criticism. F..
Carruthers sustained the same role he
enacted 80 successfully at Brattleboro,
and scored another success in it here.
Harry Carder was immense in his
acting, and caught the house with a
topical song in which some local hits
were introduced. As before stated he
was suffering from a severe cold which
made singing difficulty. Harry Eli
oft was in the same difficulty, and his
harmonious tenor voice did not have
its accustomed volume. His conception
of the part was good and the action all
that was required. j. Ell. Blakley was
another victim of the prevailing dis
temper, and it was with difficulty that
his words could be understood; in other
respects the part was ably filled. TIC
Howard Keene fell the lot of imperson.
ating Mrs. Griggs, and he did it to per.
fiction. His make up suggested home
ruler and he carried out the idea.
| The chorus was more than good. AL
though few were absent whose names
were published in The TIMES, there
was still stronger chorus than the
Opera House has ever seen before. In
action, voice and appearance they
couldn't have been better, and the girls
were as pretty as SO many pictures
hand painted ones, too.
To Mr.. Kenyon the success of tn,
opera is largely due. He worked un
ceasingly for nearly month preparing
for the production, directing both sing
ing and acting till it seemed as though
his brain must of necessity have beef
turned topsy turvy. Finding it i'm
possible to train the actors and an OF
chestra in the limited time, he presided
at the piano both nights of the opera
conducting the opera at the same time
The opera will be next produced a
Norwich, Conn.,, and Mr.. Kenyon
many friends here will wish him tn
best of success. He has shown it posi-
BILE to get the best work out of choru
and cast without the pompous show {