The herald., 1896-01-30
AT THE ThEATERS

Los ANGELES TREArER-Thers was a
very fair attendance at yesterdays matt
nee performance of the dear old favorite
opera, The bohemian Girl. 1t has become
rather the fashion to sneer at Balfe's
music, but the sweet, sympathetic and
tuneful melody of the airs in The Rohe-
mian Girl are very dear to the great ma
iority of music lovers, For years this
work stock out pre-eminently as the only
English opera. and its principal songs are
better known to the Enylish-spe aking
nations than those of any other opera. The
majority of people invariably experience
more enjoyment in lis,ening to music
with which they are familiar, and for this
reason also The Bohemian Girl is always
sure of cordial reception.
The brighter stars of the Marie Tavary
were not included in the cast, and the pro-
ducton provided an opportunity for some
of the lesser lights. Mile. LIGHTER, though
she most certainly not be included in the
latter class. gave another fine impersona-
ton as Airline. The soprano was in eX-
cellent voice and her high notes rang out
as strong and clear a $ on the previous
night. Payne Clarke, the tenor, again
won favor with his audience, His voice is
little thick sometimes iii the upper
register. but most of his notes
are admirable, and his method is
good. The leading contra.to of the COM
pany. Nine. Bella Tom!ils, was heard for
the first time this season, in the part of
the Gypsy Queen. Nine. Tomlins is the
accomplished mistress of a rich and DOW
erful contralto. and sings i'll very artistic
manner. Unfortunately Nine. Tomlin was
indisposed, for she is just recovering from
severe illness, and was hardly able to do
herself justice. Mr.W. II. Schuster made the
most of his opportunity as Count Arnheim
and very satisfactorily filled the require
ments of the part. Mr.. S. II. Dudley's inn
personation of the villain, Dev,lshoof, was
a clever piece Of comedy, and the some-
what exac'ing business t'iat is required OF
him in the third act was capi ally carried
out. The chorus, as usual, did excellent
work, and the orchestra was heard to great
advantage, especially in the delightful
overture.
The old favorites. | Dreamt ! Dwelt in
Marble Halls, With Heart Bowed Down,
and When Other Lips, suug respectively by
Mile. LIGHTER, Payne Clarke and w. H.
Schuster, each ELECTED the inevitable en-
core.
The Huguenots. which was first produced
in Paris just sixty years ago, ,brou ght Meyer
beer to tine climax of his fame, and has al
ways been regarded as triumph of genius.
j
alton. and the intensely dramatic music is
grandly welded to the stirring scene of the
religious strife between the Catholics and
Huguenots. This may, indeed, be called
the greatest of operas with historic inter-
est.
The Marie Tavary company proved
fully equal to the heavy task essayed; for
the music is most difficult and exacting.
AS in all Meyerbeer's work the delicate
and splendid orchestration taxes the
strength of the leader and those beneath
his baton. Herr Carl Martens led with a
force and skill that was inspiring.
The prima donna, Marie Tavary, was in
splendid voice, aud her rendering of the
part of Valentine was fine performance.
Madame Tavary divided the Donors with
Mdile. LIGHTER, who again. despite a very
hard days work, made the most favorable
impression upon the large audience. Her
duet with Guile in the second act, when
Marguerite de Valois dem ,nded allegiance
and devotion from Raoul, aroused the
greatest enthusiasm.
The lovely tones of Chevalier Grille's
voice were produced with consummate
skill, and in his solo ''Ah more fair than
The spotless lily" and IN the dramatic
duet in the last act with Madame ravary
he was leard to great advantage, his high
c fairly thrilling The audience M. Guile
is genius, and no characterization can he
Certainly never has finer tenor been
heard in the Los Angeles theater.
one of the most interesting features of
the performance was the appearance of
Miss Bernice Holmes, sweet singer of
local fame, who at a very few hours notice
undertook the by no means Insignificant
part of Urbain. 1t was owing to Manager
Wyatt's special pleading that Mr.. Pratt
avaiied himself of Miss Holmes services
instead OF those of an understudy, who in
the ordinary course of events would have
taken the place of Nine. Tomlin, who was
too ill to appear. Miss Holmes won lau-
rels last night, and was generally compli-
mented by the company. 1t is not improb-
able that this may lead to an engagement
with Mr.. Pratt, who expressed himself as
much graitied with Miss Holmes per-
formance. Her excellent singing OF the
aria, From Lady Fair and Lovely, won a
well merted encore.
Max Eugene's impersonation of the
Count de Nevers was very imposing, and
his fine baritone again found favor. Signor
AbramoH as the faithful Marsel and Mr..
Schuster as the Coun, de Bris were also
pleasing, and the many minor parts of the
opera were satisfactorily filled. The ten
ors and Dasses OF the chorus especially
distinguished themselves, but there is
very harsh voice among the contraltos.
Tonight Gounod's grand romantic opera,
Faust, will be presented, with Chevalier
Guile in the title role, one of his favori.e
and most successful parts. Mdlle. LIGHTER
should prove q very acceptable Marguerite,
IN which part, indeed, she has already
made reputation. Nine. Tolnlin will be
the Siebei and Max Eugene will be heard
as Valentine. Mephsto falls 10 Signor
Abramotf; Madame Romani takes the part
of Martha, and Mr. Dudley that of Wag-
ner. An exceptionally fine production is
assured.
Z Il X