The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
ANDREWS OPERA COMPANY.

ANDREWS OPERA COMPANY.
The Andrews Opera company last
night played to a packed house at the
Crawford Grand. presenting Martha -
The large and very enthusiastic audi
ence was exceedingly well pleased with
the production, and it is the unanimous
opinion that last nights performance
was vastly better than on the previous
night. This is explained by the fact
that comic opera does not afford the
scope and opportunity for really artistic
singing or acting. Comic opera depends
upon the dazzling effects Of stage set
tings and gorgeous costumlng, but a
beautiful romantic opera like Martha"
calls forth the ability OF the individuals
and choruses. The numerous pretty
solos, DUETS and quartetts were wen
sung and the ensemble work was grand.
The original score tells the story of the
opera in four acts and a prologue, but
the latest and revised hbrettos have
moderniZed the opera to the extent OF
merging the prologue into separate
act. The dialogue, too. by Broodhurst,
tells the story in a clear. concise and
pretty manner, cutting several montOn-
Gus recitatives without any injury to the
beauty of the opera, but az the same
time improving this masterpiece SO as
to make it hold the interest of the au-
dience from start TO finish.
The Andrews Opera company is the
first to produce standard opera here
since Emma Abbott and in many re-
spects this company is like Emma Alb
botts. Miss Rena Atkinson appeared
as Martha" and in a supremly charE-
ing manner won the hearts of the auti-
ence. She sings like a bird and her
Last Rose of Summer was simply sub
lime. Miss Atkinson is the new So
promo of the company, and the applause
that her artistic work ELECTED was as
much deserved as il was enthusiastic.
Miss Roe appeared in the character OF
Nancy. companion OF Martha. Miss Roe
sang Mable in the Pirates the first
night, and very creditably, but last
night she had better opportunities for
displaying her talents. and got into the
good graces OF the audience from the
start. She is charming in her part. The
entire chorus is made up Of pretty girls
and good singers. Mr.. George Andrews
appeared last night in the role of
Plunkett, and with his beautiful, rich
baritone captured the audience. Mr..
Andrews is a fine looking man, is a
graceful and possesses a voice which in
and purity of tone it not aften
surpassed. He and Mr.. Jay Taylor, his
did pretty work that pleas
ed. Mr.. Taylor is a fine singer and has
a tenor voice of rare sweetness and
range. but he has not been doing HIM |
self justice here owing TO the fact that |
he is still suffering after a serious spell |
OF sickness. His voice is somewhat |
husky and he is not in a condition 10 do |
himself justice.
This afternoon "Pinafore' viii he |
played. and tonight the company Will |
close with Fra Diavolo."
ENTERTAINMENT.
The elaborate arrangements for the |
George Washington reception and enter |
tainment at Sedgwick Music Hall next |
Monday evening. February -, have all |
been made and those present Will enjoy
one of the most sociable. novel and in
teresting affairs ever given by the en-
e-getic young people OF St. Johns |
church. The costumes OF the young
ladies' will be unique and original. The /
program will be OF unsuaI excellence and /
A good time awaits all. old and young.
who anticipate being present. The full
program will be published in tomorrow's
Eagle 4 great effort viii be made 10
make the occasion a memorable one.
LECTURE On EVOLUTION.
The Thursday evolution lectures az
Library hall on North Main street. are
icing we'll attended. and are both inter-
sting and instructive. The lecture on
asst Thursday evening. like the preced-
ng one. was devoted 10 the geological
aspect Of the subject. The sterilization
md decomposition os the rocks. the for
nation OF clays. the origin Of maid. OF
ioil. and the denudation OF the upper
rust. or superficial strata, were matters
iwelt upon and illustrated by the Iectur-
=. The next lecture viii treat OF the be-
,ianings OF animal and vegetable life in
forms a. developed in the
Geological formations; and % the first
tsps Of that dong ascent ot life, whose
history IL written in the ascending
.rata OF the ea-th's crust. TIE lecr-
res are entirely free and open 70 al
ges and both sexes. and IN 10 way -
e. to either politics Or religion. Any
NJ Interested in these subjects VII b
made welcome