The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
Observation-Disclosures I'M
Girl"

Observation-Disclosures in Bohemian
Girl"
The engagement of the Bostonians is al
ways a social, as well as an artistic, event
in Indianapolis, and the Grand was crowd
eel last night with "a brilliant society audi
ence. Bohemian Girl was the produc-
ton. and the delightful old opera, whose
ballads are so familiar to all. was never
more satisfactorily presented. Eugene
Cowles easily carried off the honors of the
performance. He was never in SO good
voice as this year, and this opera gives
him plenty of opportunity. Even Herr
Miller's orchestra, at its lou.st, did not
bother his magnificent solos a bit. Mr..
Macdonald appeared TO great advantage
as Devilshoof, as he does in everything
he undertakes. Two of the principals OF
the great organization are new this
wear, Miss Clark. the soprano.
ing. and Mr.. Philip. who sang Thaddeus.
Miss Clark won the audience by her re-
marketable beauty before she had warbled
Miskel Hoyt. One could endure poor sing
ing from such IL pretty woman. but her
singing is not poor: Her voice is not of
great volume and might be richer. but il is
clear, reaches all over the house and is
finely cultivated. She carries the high order
of music given her in this opera without
difficulty and is a good actress as operate
actresses go. Mr.. Philip has the fine figure
of u tenor part and though his voice is not
OF the robusto. ii is sweet and of a SYM
pathetic timbre. He arose TO the occasion
handsomely i'm the fine solo that falls to
his lot in the last act. Miss Davis, as the
queen has not much singing in the opera,
but her one great solo was magnificentIy
done and her acting was superb.
The old story about the Bos tonians hav-
ing ''prima donnas in the chorus is truer
than ever this year. Everybody who has
had to do with opera appreciates the great
difficulty of obtaining pretty girls who can
sing. When a woman is pretty and has a
good voice she prefers to be a principal in
a snap company, ard take her chances on
getting her salary in order to have her
name underlined on the bills. Whether the
companies, has driven the prime donne
back to chorus work, whether 1T is by good
luck or by good management the Bos-
tonianS have a splendid singing chorus.
full of pretty girls. "A number of them I'M
usually beautiful. Musical cranks who sigh
for 1.-The legitimate" are prone TO shrug
their shoulders at the public demand for
pretty women and handsome men in opera.
but there is GOO reason in the demand
that the eye should not be offened while
an effort is being made to please the ear.
There are men as well as matinee girls who
like a handsome tenor, and all the world
loves a pretty woman
This afternoon. when the BoStonianS sing
robin Hood" the cast Will be graced by
that veteran of all operate comedians, II.
..The Bohemian Girl" 1t will therefore be
his first appearance during this engage
ment. As the Sheriff of Nottingham he IS
at his best. Jessie Bartlett Davis sings
Alan-a-Dale and Eugene Cowles is the
Will Scarlet of this. perhaps. best of Amer
lean operas. Tonight prince Ananias'
will be sung. with Barnabee i'm another
great comedy part.