The herald., 1897-01-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
( At THE THEATERS :
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LOS ANGELES THEATER.-Th pro-
duction of the opera comique Fra Diav-
olo at this theater last night by the
Grau Opera company was surprisingly
good In fact it surpassed in marked
degree their work in the Beggar Student,
and as the score is much more exacting,
their work demonstrated that the prin-
cipals and chorus have capabilities far
beyond what we have been lately accus-
toned to in the line of comic opera COM
panies.
Auber's Fra Diavolo is the most pre-
tentions work of that composer, and is
of the best type of the old-fashioned
opera comique. The score presents diff
ficulties that have made many prime
donne and tenors reluctant to add it to
their reIertories To all old opera
goers this opera Will always remain
favorite, not alone from its many mu-
steal morceauX, but likewise by reason
of it's cleverly contrived libretto. 1t is
AN opera, too, that is ordinarily much
abused in its presentment and for this
reason the work of the Grau Opera COM
pany last night in giving really credit
able production of it is high testimony
to the merit of that organization. 1t has
been a long time since we have seen so
generally such a satisfactory present
ment of this work. Miss Johnson made
a charming Zerlina, and Mr.. Dunbar
gave us the typical bandit chieftain. Mr..
Clayton could not be improved on as
Lord Allcash, and Mr.. Langlois made
fine Lorenzo Messrs. Felch and Lett
did some notably good work as Beppo
and Giacomo and Miss Lodge was thor
oughly at home in the role of Lady ALL
cash. The chorus was spirited and sang
the difficult Victoria chorus with sur
prising vigor and volume. AS matter
of fact. the work of the entire company
was notably good. and there is no rea
son from an artistic standpoint why the
Grau Opera company should not pack the
theater for the remainder of their en-
gagement. They deserve it. A bar
gain matinee" will be given this after
noon, when The Beggar Student will be
put on. Tonight. for the first time in
five years in this city, Paul Jones.
THE URBANK.-Another splendid
house greeted the Pearson company last
evening at the Burbank. Fl. Rider Hag
CARDS great oriental romance, She has
evidently caught the public favor. The
scenic effects are startling and weird and
are undoubtedly the finest ever intro
duced to a Los Angeles audience. The
second and third acts are especially
strong and very effective. To those who
like something uncanny and startling
She proves good vehicle for amuse-
ment Manager Pearson, by careful at
tention to details, is fast making his
cosy theater the family home of amuse-
ment in Los Angeles. The orchestra
under Prof. Krauss is a delight to all
who attend this popular theater.
Manager Pearson has a big surprise
for his patrons tonight, which, though
to a lon q ma 1or SE.a rArn ,ico &c
even as much excitement and interest,
and will really give visitors to this the
ater 1.-TWO shows in one
ORPHEUM-This house has rat
tling fine show on the boards at pres
ent; in fact, it is the best show presented
here in many moons. The great draw
ing card is Phoite's English pantomime
company in their wonderful pantomimic
creation, Mephisto. OF all the great vau-
deville attractions the Orpheum man
agement has booked, this is by all odds
the most colossal and! the most enter
tanning. Mephisto is a screamingly
funny production, put on with elaborate
scenery, of which every part develops
some startling novelty. Interest never
ceases from start to finish, and it keeps
an audience fairly shouting with laugh
ter. Gazelle and Vernon, the world
famous comedy acrobats. have also made
an unparalleled hit. They are unques-
tionably two of the greatest horizontal
bar artists in the world. AS comedians
they have few equals. The rest of the
program embraces the following excel
lent features: Clements troupe of
trained animals, including the piano
playing poodle, Cushman and Holcombe
in a refined operate sketch; Galetti's
monkey comedians, with their humor-
Gus antics; the three saucy Dunbar SIS