The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-20
AMUSErlENTS.
Providence Opera House.

Tomiski ................J. W. Herbert
pr,,i. Alexts LAW e;isiko
Michael Richie Ling
Lysik. ................,.. owen Mestford
Siski ki........................ Horrls
Queen Marie. ...,.,,...........'''.'. ;horn .ooho
Princess Sitso. o.....................Lil LillA Linden
MImai ''uiIo I',.
CARL. Florence Wills
The Goddess Of Truth. .......... Lillian Russell
This city had sight OF new comic
opera early in its promising career al the
Providence Opera House last evening and
1t seemed 10 please large audience and
also Mess:s. Abbey, schoeffel x Grau, the
celebrated managerial firm, who set In
the left nand OK apparently much inter-
ested In this performance. There was
some reason for this censorship, because
''The Goddess of Truth" will be taken
To New York for n ran. IL viii have II
for the simple reason that anything may
be introduced into II to tickle metropoli-
tan fancy. IL is an up-to-date pot-porrrl-
heaven he p us-and as elastic as imagin6-
tion. Lots OF local color can be impaired
and that will suit New York, because the
big city likes 10 hear about itself.
1.-THE Goddess of Truth has two acts
and is the work OF Stanislaus STANCE,
who has made considerable reputation as
a writer, and Julien Edwards, Whose
music has been heard before. IL was pro-
duced under the direction OF Max Free
man, who is without peer as stage
manager.
A contemplation of this new work has
tendency 10 rattle the first nighter.
In a little while he does not know
where he IL at, SO to speak. Ihe
new opera begins with a
sleeping and snoring scene and-presto-a
song and dance act. Then ii becomes
dignihed and impressive in sort OF Pyg-
malion ana Galatea idea. The music was
far beyond the ordinary comic opera sort
and the atmosphere of the animated stat
ne was peculiarly pleasing. IL was an
unlooked-fo for serious twist and was de-
lightfully promising. AS the animated
statue of Truth, Lillian Russell rose to
the dignity of the situat ion and read
with surprising grace, convincing force
and charming directness. STE was in
earnest snd at her best, astonishing even
her warmest admirers. Here the scheme
of the opera was disclosed. Subjects of
| the realm were to speak the whole truth
| and nothing but the truth for certain
number of hours. Only one person.the
| king-was to be excused by the magic OF
piece OF marble from the statue to- con-
1 tinue in his customary habits.
The second act ILLUSTRATED the effect OF
| this unlimited license with truth and
| everyone told everyone else in the Royal
Palace what they thought about each
| other.
L =
| impression of the first ect. Surprising?
| Very Like fash from comic opera To
1 musical farce comedy. The authors got
| a contrast with a vengeance and brought
their work up-to-date, and in the popular
vein in twinkling. OF course there was
some preparation for this, but the transit
| tion was radical and some of the dia-
logue was pass and rather distressing.
| Tie star had a topical song with jig
| movement, the coined ianS Weggled in the
usual way of recent musical productions,
and the chorus kept time and rhyme with
bodies and voices in the ever-familiar
| fashion. The truth was always in evil
| dence and it was of the kind to make
everyone laugh.
1t was vivacious, rollicking and pc
| culinrlv entertaining. "The Goddess OF
| Truth" win make money even II it isn't
much OF an addition to the comic opera
field. II is rather talky.
Miss Russell was equipped with stun
ming part and she presented il with sur
| passing skill. She seemed to be dominat'
| ed with the spirit of the role and acted az
| well as she ever did in her life and sang
charmingly. She was resplendent in gor-
| geous gowns and when she was in front
| tho stage was filled. She made big i'm.
| preston and she will make a hit in New
| York.
| An especially noteworthy and ble
| part of the entertainment was the seen
cry. 1t was superb and those who were
present were favored with all advanced
glimpse of the splendid outfit prepared
for the New York production. The two
scenes were the gardens OF the Royal
Palace of Bulgaria with view of the
Danube and the morning room in the
Royal Palace. Both We're marvels of stage
art. Indeed, the Providence Opera House
siege has rarely offered such an enchant-
ing spectacle.
Mr.. Hubert, Mr.. Soloman and Mr..
Ling were conscientious and capable as
sistants to the famous star.
This evening "l492," a spectacle very
similar In its development to last even
ing's work, will be presented in the same
gorgeous Way.