Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-30
THE SECOND OPERA
FINE PRODUCTION OF MARTHA ne.
cEIvED WITH ENTHUSIASM. I
BRILLIANT FEATURES INTRODUCED.
Cast and Chorus Do spIendidly-
Handsome Stage Pictures and
superb Mise en- sccne-Last Per-
formances To-Day.

So far the opera festival has been a
period OF musical feasting and thanks
giving. The two entertainments given
have been thoroughly artistic and OF
large public interest. The popular YER
dict upon the performance Of Martha
last night was eminently favorable.
Leaving aside questions OF individual
or personal taste or preference and
hypercritical earnings. it was certainly
executed throughout with consummate
art and finish refinement and elegance.
1t was a night of ovations. Both Nor
dau and Lamboroso have cautioned
worried, weary world about the evils
of mob madness. When hysteria becomes
cosmical then we are retrograding, In
deed. The worthy apostles OF cheap
psychology should have been at the
Academy last night!
1t was night of musical portent, ana
the horoscope of the Rosemary Library
predicted a great success.' And SO II
was.
The pictorial side Of the entertainment
was both amusing and interesting. The
big auditorium was packed almost 10
its capacity. and from the time the cur
tain rose on the fantastic groupings IN
the Fair Scene the enthusiasm grew
warmer and warmer. Everything was
clear. balanced, and symmetrical, and
the beauties of the work were never OBJ
secured.
OPERA WE'LL PERFORMED.
The opera was excellently performed
II went with smoothness and vim, Shu
were all at home in their parts, and al
of them were good. 1t was a success Oh
beautiful mise en- scene, tuneIul ilps1lO'
continually moving incident, ana Aue-
quate Interpretation. ,,.,s,i
Great interest centered in the beaullIui
series Of stage pictures arranged IN the
fair scene. IL was sustained Ieasl loI
the eye; the galaxy OF beauty was
rivalled only by the gorgeousness ol les .
apparel, and the graceful movements Vi
the tambourine chorus and OF inc MAY
pole dancers supplied the finishing touch-
es to a really brilliant ensemble.
A very attractive special feature was
the Drill of Nations by the boys oi .te
Male Orphan Asylum. The whole oi , tlle
first act, indeed, represents a kaeiuo-
scope of lovely color and aftlstlc uSslsh'
alike in scenery, dresses, ana sroup'ns'
MISS URQUHART AS MARTHA.
AZ soon as Miss Lily Urquhart' as
Martha. had sung her first SOLO Was
recognized that she was more ARTIST an in" a.
novice. Her sympathetic Voice, va ord
&C. not powerful. is adroitly managed, anu
as an actress she has large TesOuiS - ,,
There is life and vigor in her style{ snr
walks the stage with ueeuoIn, an g..
hearing is marked by sing en- -
tive combination or olghl'y' ieP"'
grace. . ,,,oro thoroughly
Mrs. Durrett's powers were tn s,,o sa nc
realized i'm the part OF Nancy one sa"e
and acted up TO her acknoWleosSSu 20 her
tation. The part Is well adapteu .rnnIa
nhvsioue. and the music gives IMP
acona IN her yocalization. Her eXtreine!y
winning voice. which, for all us uellG Ie,,
sweetness. mas remarkable DoWet, |" ,ba
f,,lIv exerted won instant taVor WIZ ,a -
audience and she was lDe iiIaS in fhe role
of lionel won a genuine success. rs
sang with passion and threw NE t,,a a"t yoice
acting Signor Campopellos lhe 81
was heard TO advantage III anrtil,, q NJ
piinl.ett and he was very hedl my &c
',io,rded for his splendid rendering Oh ,Io
Knreador song from Carmen. his a.
mo moreover, was spirited ana au t,lt -,
HE Miss Elizabeth Robins, M lIn,,ac nj
Christian. and Mrs. waiter -. 70 tbern
song the small parts allotlen " 'i -
s anS ,o,,cb intelligence. Mr. ChaIles Eu
hanIy made n good Sir Tristan; Mr. Joe
tHTi,t.o rendered efficient service as ',7
sbar;ff and Mr.. Cauepa and Mr.. Jonn ~, ~,
Tvler, Jr., did well in ther lesp90'i'O
roles. -, marc In every
no ~ 70 the mark, and Mr.. CharIes
Mercer proved himself an alert ana re-
liable conductor
HIS WORK WELL DONE.
Final praise belongs to NJ. CaIn ny dIrnc.
On whom fen the heavy labors OIL u.leC .
ton. That so complex ana ei s,o se rio
bitcp is a sufficient tribute to his hig s
no cSy Of generashlp. The success w datr
Vas Vas predicted for the festival has aIrea1 6s
been realized, and the receIpt tbo iI neteh-
two performances foot up III INC
DP Tbe festival will close to-day with la
sonnambula" at the matinee and Mar
tina" again tonight.