The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-15

esteemed and distinguished fellow.citizen,
Jules Jordan, doctor in music.
IL sets forth that the writer proposes to
produce In this city i'm the Providence
Opera House for the week beginning
Monday, the eth instant romantic
| opera comedy" in three acts entitled
Grip Van Wrinkle, " both the libretto and
music OF which are DR. Jordan's compost
tion. The production will have the dis
tinct advantage OF Interpretation by the
famous original Bostonians with those
past masters of the comedy opera art
MIR. Barnabee, Mr.. Cowles, Miss Davis
Mr.. Macdonald, Mr. rockingham and
Others the cast also including Mr. Dover,
one of this towns most talented
dramatic tonors The chorus of sixty
voices will, we understand, be largely re-
cruitcd from the Arion Club which
assures especially satisfaction in the
stage filling so important to such "A WORK.
Providence people may well look for
ward with pleasurable anticipations TO
this production. Dr. Jordan has already
demonstrated remarkable capacity for
justfying confidence in whatever he un-
dertakes. At first blush we are inclined
10 think that If he feels that no has writ
ten an opera good enough TO so elaborately
produce, with all the expense of money
and labor that is involved, 1t will be
worth seeing and will be success. OF
course only the actual trial can insure
tins faith. That success may be
achieved win be the sincere wish Of his
fellow-ctzens and the production will
thus have an unprecedented interest for
all OF us.
The theme certainly seems an excellent
choice. 1t lends ITSELF we should say,
most advantageously TO "A happy treat
ment both as to the music and the book.
Ii is picturesque, inherently romantic and
charming commingling Of pathos and hu-
NOR is easily possible 10 it, That DR. Jor-
dan has performed his task conscientiously
and with due appreciation of all the
opportunities, there can be no manner of
doubt Upon the execution only is the
public yet to pass
II will Le the province of The News in
this instance a particularly pleasurable
duty, providing everything goes we'll, to
spruk fUr-itsuff nrtE fts- RENTERS iff-
| judgment upon the opening presentation.
TO that Judgment Tho News proposes to
| bring ils most honest, most discriminat-
ing and most sympathetic resources. In
the dramatic and oporatic field and indeed
as to everything pertaining to the stage
| The News pyides itself on an cnyiable req
utation in the dramatic world, roputa-
tion established by some years OF conscion-
tious work that has placed IL in the
| front rank OF authoritative stage reviewers
| of the country, second % none in New
! England ana in nowise approached by
any. of its local contemporaries as it
knows by reason Of many flattcring testi-
monials extended its work by theatrical
folk everywhere as well as by the local
patrons Of the thoator. In the course Of
"a season, Providence is often the place
selected for the trial of new production
in both musical and dramatic art and
thus is the responsibility frequently
placed upon the dramatic departments
Of the local newspapers to pass Judgment
upon an entirely new piece for the infor-
| nation and guidance of the profession and
the public all over the country ms well as
their own constituency. Independent as
| II IS in all stage criticism for the benefit
of its own readers and, so, indifferent to
| the opinions of the press of other towns
unless they commend themselves TO it's
| Judgment, The News directs It's attention
20 an entirely new stage enterprise with
especial zest and has had frequent occasion
| for satisfaction to find its opinions subse
quently justified by the success or failure
as the case may be of production that
has its original trial, in our local theaters
and an estimate rs TO its worth original
| in Providence and in The News
30 upon the trial of this
important work of DIR. Jordan's
it will be our duty Co Wow IL not
alone from the standpoint of friendly
recognition of local ondeayor but from
that larger view that shall seek TO
give Il place among the works that are
20 appeal TO the less sympa-
thetic interest of the whole country