The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-07
THE Maid OF MILAN.
The Homemade Comic Opera
Scores an Instant Success.
coRDRAY's THEATER CROWDED
All the Leading People of the City
Heartily Applaud the Clever
Amateurs.

esanel &c Aeaza1o, IN love with
Leonardo lie Aldu, prince and lover OF
:, Gorilla Mr.. Bert Williams
Marco. romantic youth. Mr.. j. P. Agnew
oA-oo, Iatner OF Mesotta and guardian
70 Gorilla. Mr.. Vim. II. Sillinian
Castor. page 10 Me,zano.
.:.s,.;..-.....-..-,-. Mr.. Harry Fredericks
Cuuaides, gentleman. ..................
;.......--.... Mr.. Charles P. Cary
kaloHel. a maGntehank. Mr. Otto Ceilings
Msl0tta. supposed Maid of Milan.
Gorilla, Maid Of Mi.ar,.
....e........ Miss Margaret I. Mckinney
messenger -....-. Master Ralph Hanfo-d
.....................c Capt. Il. y. Jennings
Feneer. of Lecnardo's suite..,..........
+. l. Morons
One OF the merriesi, largest crowds that
has been seen in Seattle IN for a long time
was the one that left Cordray's theater .ast
night with the swinging closing chorus OF
The Maid or Milan ringing in its ears.
and the night air was also ringing with
the laughter and hurried jocuiar comments
and criticisms upon the performance just
witnessed. From the first scene 10 the end
the interest had been well maintained. and
those who were hummiDg snatches OF the
rev melodies were endsavoring to recount
some OF the jests. and particularly the local
gags" 1t was crowd that had thorough
~ enjoyed Itself and that felt IL had taken
part in an important event. The produe-
ton of comic opera entirely by local tai
ent, even TO the iihretto ar score, is some
thing 10 be proud of in itself. apart from
just criticism OF the results achieved
TIE curtain went up on stage setting
that was bright and harmonious in the
grouping OF colors. and yet was subdued.
And this word might fifty be used as de-
scriptive of the whole opera, and without
disparagement. II must be remembered
sba~ he haH srasr al There
was not only a supercritical audience in
front, for dear friends invariably are the
most unsparing Of critics, but his company
itself was gathered from among
the cultured and refined. many
of them self-conscious TO a degree.
The words, therefore, had 10 be
carefully chosen the dresses OF the chorus
and ballet could net be of The Merry
War" order, for example, and any one who
thinks for a moment viii discover ether
points that had to be toned Of some OF
the characteristics that give go" TO comic
opera. The music itself seemed TO be mod
est In its expression, for, while two or
three numbers were snappy and sparkling,
notably the orchestral accompaniment to
the quartette in the second act, there was
none of the efIervescent dash and bril-
liancy that accord SO well with the olaZe
OF color in modern spectacular.
The chorus filed the stage in the OPEN
ing scene, some score of pretty girls with
their natural locks unconhned, in girlish
dresses of a pretty light blue. The cos
tunes of the male chorus were as mueh
as possible kept in The background. lie
was a fine swinging chorus, and when
Gorilla. the Maid of Milan, stepped TO the
front in whole costume Of deep cardinal
there was a roar of applause. Tt the
cadences OF the music the girls sway d
like long-stalked lilies. which had very
g4A. - a
to tell in dainty number how the dew
drops first kissed the roses. and what hap
pened. and the Chevalier de MelZano.
afterward in the play termed honest
Iago,'' Strutted on, most respondent as to
princely raiment and apparently about six
feet tall. His voice was as deep as the
depths of the sea as il rumbled through
the cayerns. and his duet with the Maid
was warmly applauded. Castor. his page.
was as elegant page as ever illumined
the pages of romance, and he acted bis
part well, and when at the close of the
second act he had to appear in the dis
guise OF lady. men and women wildly
applauded and declared that Harry" was
the prettiest girl In the whole csmpany.
Galbo was an excellent makeup. but was
a little disappointing in that more was ex-
pected from him.
kaiomel. the mountehank, was a monde
script Touchstone, with a troup of five
clowns, who sang an excellent chorus. Kali
omel, in the course of the piece, becomes
a chaperon. and in the dress of grand
dame, shares the honors OF the humor OF
the piece with Cut.dides, whose doggerel
poetry and patter songs may be said TO
be one OF its prominent hits. Following
the mountebank there was a pretty dance
TO m.nuet measure, with castanets, and in
its midst in rushes Melotts, clad and
yelled in white The Chevalier and
vsr.1l
N song about her. and draw
swords when the Angeius sounds; both
drop TO their knees. and there is gentle
music The scenes follow with great rapid
ity and there is never any lack OF move
ment. after the duel The Maid, stu in red.
archly sings dtty that has jolly chorus,
and that brings on the rest of the company.
and the curtain.
The first scene had for background the
picturesque streets OF old Milan. The sec
ond act opened IN a garden at evening,
with a hymn-iike chorus OF treble and alto
that was enthusiastically encored- one or
the striking scenes In this act, and perhaps
the best In the whole piece, was the fenc-
ing scene. Capt +. n Jennings and Capt.
f. L. Morong. the latter appearing as a
handsome woman. have clever bout with
the foils which Is Interrupted by the male
chorus drawing swords and ciashing as
they disappear TO an inspiriting chorus and
accompaniment
Melotta has not a very strong acting
part and her soInbre dress seemed 10 be
a disadvantage. although an excellent con-
trast. but her eontralto voice was heard
10 good effect in the quartettes, and in her
solos she was twice encored. OF course,
the Maid OF Milan carried OF the honors.
She is well-known to the audience. but
they never knew her before 80 arch and
winsome and giee-inspiring, and in short
so clever and well-poised an operate com
edienne. She was charming IN each OF her
three rich costumes, and In the latter part
OF the Performance her mere appearance
was the occasion Of applause and bouquets.
She has several pretty songs, and last night
she was al her best.
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