The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-06
SMOOTH AMATEUR WORK
THE OPERA 1.-THE DOCTOR OF AL
CANTARA" A SUCCESS.
Mrs. Zelda Seguin Wallace's Fine Con-
traItO Voice Heard Once More
The other Principals.

The performance of 1.-THE Doctor Of AL
cantara," at the Grand Opera House. last
evening, for the benefit of the Free Kin
dergarten fulfilled all and more than had
been promised for it. The performance
throughout was most creditable, and an au-
dience that filled nearly every seat on the
lower floor witnessed, laughed and APP
plauded. All the leading soloists received
great punches of chrysanthemums, and re-
sponded with repetitions of the songs. Spe-
cial commentator should be given for the
promptness with which the curtain was
raised on the first act the rapidity of the
performance and the general excellence
from beginning to end. The first and sixth
sections Of the kindergarten may well feel
gratified.
The selection of the principals was happy.
Mrs Zelda Seguin Wallace, Of course, gave
her part with all the dash and brilliancy
which it requires and sang just as she has
so often done to the delight of thousands
from one end of the country to the other.
Her deep contralto voice, rich and sweet
shows little failing, and her use of it shows
her perfect command of it's powers. There
are few voices that have the variety in
register, being deep and full as an organ
in the lower tones, and clear and bel-like
in the upper ones. She was dressed in
Spanish costume of a red skirt with rows
of black fringe, an embroidered bodice and
a jacket of black velvet, richly embellished
with gilt. A black scarf artistically ar
ranged gave a final and completing touch
to the whole. Miss Rowena New charmed
with her beauty and voice. In her first
solo she was recalled, and responded by
singing the second verse again. In the con-
certed numbers her fiute-like tones scared
above the others with clear and vibrant
quality. Miss New wore gown of black,
fashioned decolette, and a red rose in her
hair gave single color tone to her be-
coming gown. Mrs Charles B. Foster was
extremely graceful in every motion. Mrs.
Fosters voice is soprano of much sweet
ness, and while not strong, it sufficed to
fill even the far corners of the audience
room. she wore gown of yellow silk with
some exceedingly nne black lace drapery,
and was picturesque in it.
Mr.. Harry j. Graham captivated the au-
dience from the very first. His pompous
entrance, his splendid voice, his stage pres
ence and his irreproachable costume COM
pletely filed the bill. Mr.. Graham has a
voice of superior quality. which has been
Well cultivated. He has a natural adapta-
ton for acting and singing, and in all that
he did there was the air of the professional.
Mr.. Graham has had considerable expert
ence in amateur theatricals, and this was
evidenced in his whole performance of DR..
Parcelsus, the doctor of Alcantara. Mr..
E. b. Martindale, jr., had trying part He
was always in box, literally speaking, and
cramped position in close box is not
conducive to the best results, yet he over
came the difficulty with credit to himself.
In his opening SereEade his tenor voice was
heard to advantage. 1t is a voice of mu-
steal quality, which he uses pleasingly. In
solo and concerted numbers he shared in the
nonorS with the others, and at all times
played and sung his part interestingly. His
gorgeous costume helped to make an eff
f I;t stage picture; A small part was
bass voice was suited to the character of
the Dom Pomposo. His queer garb was a
feature of his part. DR.. G. E. Hunt and
Mr.. E. S. r. Seguin were two comical por-
ters Their parts were not long, but they
made the most of them and their first song
and subsequent performance brought down
the house, and they were vigorously APP
plauded. Their costumes matched their
characters char In the seco % act D DR. Hunt
and he gave 1t in good style. One of the
leading numbers in the whole opera was the
little to do, but sang the few songs admir-
ably The whole opera and orchestra was
directed by Mr.. Ernestinoff and he carried
it through to success.
PLOT OF THE OPERA.
In the opera Carlos &c. B. Martndale,
jr.), the son of Senior Balthazar CDR. Hunt,
has fallen in love with Senorita Isabella
Miss New, daughter Of DR.. Paracelsus
(Mr Graham.) In the meanwhile Isabella
has been betrothed to a young man with
whose name she has not been made ac-
quainted, Surprised by her mother (DIrs.
Foster) in listening to a serenade given by
| Carlos, she confesses her love for him and
refuses to marry the unknown intended
Carlos contrives to have himself conveyed
into the house in basket under cover of a
present 70 lnez (Mrs. Wallace), the con-
hdante of Isabella. Carlos takes advantage
OF the absence of everybody to get ont of
the basket and conceal himself. The doctor
ana lnez, in trying to hide the basket from
the quarrelsome Lucrezia (Mrs. Foster),
drop II IN the river and afterwards learn
tnat there was man in it. Attracted by
the qeSpalrlng screams of Inez, the night
watch appear, led by the alguazl Pomposo
(QMrq lsenSee), who informs them that thev
are under the surveillance of his men as
suspicious persons. After the departure of
the night watch the doctor and Inez are
LETT brooding in fear and dismay over their
crime. when Carlos enters, to the great
terror of the doctor and Inez, who imme-
dlately suspect him TO be q police spy He
discovers himself to them as the son of
senior Balthazar. being at the same time
unaware that his lady love and his intended
are one and the same Transported with
JOY, the doctor asks him to take glass of
VINE with him. which wine, brought by
lnez proving to be one of the doctors
poisonous decoctions, plungeS Carlos at once
ing him dead. and afraid of being detected
in this his second imaginary murder, con-
ceals Carlos in a sofa, in which act he is
dtsagreeably surprised by the sudden arrival
of Senior Balthazar who comes to conclude
the arrangements for the marriage of his
son and Isabella. His presence being OBJ
jectionable to them they put every obstacle
in his way, so that at length he is forced
to pass the night on the sofa, beneath which
his sons body is concealed. When he is
asleep the doctor and Inez, fearful of dis
covery, enter to remove the body from un-
der Balthazar, who awakes and starts up in
fear. Carlos, by this time recovering from
the effect of the opiate, contrives to get out
of the sofa, and his father, meeting with
him in the dark, utters a cry of alarm,
which terrifies the doctor and Inez and also
attracts the neighbors. Mutual explana-
tions take place and Isabella and Carlos
prove to have been loving at cross-purposes,
as they We're, from the first, intended for
each other by their respective parents.
The opera will be repeated this afternoon,
with admission so cents to all parts of the
house, and again this evening at popular
prices. Box parties will be given again this
evening as they were last night.