The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1896-01-03
OU R HOME TALENT
The Musical People of the City Go Into
the Opera Business and Make a
Great Success
Handsome and Dainty Costumes, Good
Singing and Acting Made the
Production Popular.
HE TOOK CHLOROFORM
| Y, Y. Fletcher Took an Overdose Of tile
Drug Saturday Night and Nearly
Ended His Life.
HE TOOK CHLOROFORM
THE MERRY MlLkMAlDS.

The Home Talent Opera Company Wins
Fresh Laurels as Entertainers.
1t has been over two years since
Mitchell musical talent has attempted
anything in the opera line until Thurs
day evening when the Merry Milk
maids" was placed on the boards at the
court house. The house was crowded
in fact every seat had been sold day
in advance of lne production. The
curtain rose at 500 O'clock and revealed
the very pretty and enhancing scene
OF the milkmaids, arraved in attractive
costumes of various culors, singing
their greeting TO the early morn. fol-
lowed by she invisible chorus of the
farmer boys After this there was Il
succession Of pretty aud catchy chorus
es, solos, duets anu Lrios, the music
seeming TO catch the popular favor at
once.
Miss G ace GoodykoonlZ made a
very imposing queen Of the milkmaids
and in her various solos she sustained
her excellent reputation as a vocalist.
She sang with much feeling and eX-
from the audience. The part she as
sumed was difficult one TO sing and
it could NOT have been placed in better
hands. Her costume was indeed pretty
and her stage presence has been favor
ably commented upon. Probably her
best SOLO was the Lullaby song,
which she rendered faultlessly and in
good taste.
AS Dorothy, the sentimental maiden.
| Miss Mae Krom was all that could be
esired, and In re laung her love ex-
| perience in song she was particularly
attractive and coquettish. Miss krom
was dressed in a very dainty costume,
and her singing was highly appreciated.
Mrs. j d. Lawler made her first APP
pearauce in opera in this city and she
promptly scored an immense success.
AS Monica, the gypsy, she had a true
conception Of the character and por
trayed it in a decidedly realistic man
ner. Her best piece Of acting was in
the scene of fortune Yelling, which
brought into execution some very
clever stage work. Mrs Lawler has a
well developed coutralto voice, which
she uses admirably, her expression and
shading of zones being particularly
pleasing. Her costume was rich in APP
| pearance and had all the adOrnmeuts of
! the gypsy fortune teller. Later in the
opera Mrs. Lawler introduced the eyp-
! sy dance which she executed with
great skill and grace. and at the close
Of the opera was highly complimented
on her success.
! Miss Emily Bras sang the part of
Margery in way that brought her
merited applause. She is painstaking
il her efforts to please, she acted and
sang her part remarkably we'll, looked
| innocently sweet and made captlvat-
ing lnilkmaid in her attractive cos
tune.
Miss Gertrude Becker, as the coquet-
tish Jaunita, was quite an agreeable
surprise to the audience, inasmuch as
it was her initial appearance in vocal
capacity Miss Becker has splendid
voice, it is sweet and resonant, and
full OF melody she sings in a very
were heartily applauded. She was
very graceful in her acting and her
stage presence was particularly pleas
ing. Miss Becker certainly did herself
proud on her first appearance and she
is entitled to high praise.
Blanche Welton sang very sweetly as
Ruth, she looked charming and caught
the audience with her pretty voice.
Mr.. G. w. Downey assumed the role
of the Judge, but our modesty will not
permit criticism of his work, other
than to say that he sustained the
former favorable mentions he has re-
ceived through the columns of THE
REPUBLICAN.
Mr.. H. G. Nichols, in the dual role
of the Commodore and the Beggar,
was immense. He did the part full
Justice and made a good hit in his
songs. Mr.. Nichols is at home in
comedy work and presents the humor-
Gus side OF a character in laughable
way. He introduced a popular song
that was quite taking.
1t only requires the presence of Mr..
E. A. Skinner in opera or drama to in
sure the comedy part being well
handled. His makeup as the Dutch
Doctor provoked laughter the moment
he appeared on the stage. Mr.. Skin-
ner has quaint, droll way Of being.
funny that is irresistible, and he never.
fails to win the audience his way, Ed.
is natural comedian. sees where the
comedy can be made more effectual
land has the ability to make the most
of it. His songs with the Commodore
were good.
Mr.. B. j. Duncan and Mr.. Fl. P.
Beckwith as Farmer Jim and Farmer
Joe were well received. Mr.. Duncan