The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-09-26
THE WEEK

oOoOoO oVUVoO
The musical season in Lincoln opened
after the torpor Of the summer months
with performance Of the opera Pow.
hatan" presented at the Lansing theatre
by the "Home Opera company" directed
by VIM. A. Baker Of Chicago, and
under the auspices of the Woman's
Christian association. Opera, even OF
the lightest nature, is distinctly an exotic
in Lincoln and Is TO be welcomed almost
in any guise; nevertheless entertain
ments Of theatrical description given
by amateurs are prone to be of more in.
terest to the friends land enemies) of the
participants than to the general public,
and l was present merely as an unit OF
that public, not as an ardent partisan
pro or con. II is distinct relief to one
who does not wear the red badge of
courage where the malice OF critics and
indignant sopranos and other ron-pro.
fessional vocalists is thickest to be able
heartily il reservediy, to praise this per-
Torrance. Weak spots there certainly
were. but the opera itself. while dis
tinctly OF the class opera, bonbe and not
opera comique, was tuneful and pleasing
and the melodies were not compiled
from more sources than, say the average
De Koven. opera. moreover, except
in the last act. one could al.
most always detect distinct
plot and the thread OF a story.
grieve to be compelled to say that the
orchestral ascompaniment-not the or
chestration OF the opera which was
purely good-was wretched beyond any
thing have heard before either here or
elsewhere. 1t must have seriously hamp,
cred director and soloists. 1 presume
that lack Of rehearsal was responsible
for this defect. 1t speaks we'll for the
drill of chorus and soloists that they
were able to do so we'll under the cir
cumstances. In the cast of characters
the title role was assumed by Mr..
Clemens Movius, the other important
parts were assigned as follows: POGO
hontas," Mrs. c. s. Lippinco;t; Laugh
ing Star" Miss Maud Oakley" Oquaka,"
Miss Agnes Sewell; Captain John
Smith," MIR. Harry A. Reese; Captain
Rolfe." Mr.. Haydn Myer Besides these
characters less prominent roles were as
sumed by Messrs. c. W. Kettering. Mr..
Fred Cooley and Mr.. Arthur Walsh.
The "Powhatan" of Mr.. Clemens Mo-
vius was as good as one would expect
from this sterling singer and actor; as
an impersonation it belonged really to
the plane Of opera comique, and was
permeated with dry humor somewhat
unexpected but wholly delightful. OF
course Mr.. Movius sang the music with
ease. Mrs. Lipplncott as "Pocohontas'
was piquant and pleasing, decidedly
coquettish Pocohontas, and her clear
soprano was heard to good advantage.
Miss Agnes Sewell in the ungrateful
part Of 'Oquaka" displayed mellow
contralto voice and certain amount Of
genuine histrionic ability. Miss Ma ude
Oakley made decided hit in the part
OF Laughing Star" The music was
we'll within the range of her voice and
her singing was at all times agreeable.
Moreover her appearance was extreme
ly attractive and her impersonation
vivacious. am inclined to believe that
Miss Oakley would succeed as profess
sional in this line Of work. The came
appreciation may apply to the Captain
John Smith" OF Mr.. Harry Reese 1t
seems pity that youLg man whose
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