The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-11-20
The opera.

For month or more THE TIMES
has occasionally called the attention Of
the public to the fact that the Operf
of the Mikado would bepre
scented by a company composed en-
tirely of local talent, and, In making
these announcements, has ventured
modestIy to predict that 1T would be
success, and better performance
than amateurs usually give. The way
the opera was received by the i'm
mense audience which greeted 1t, and
the unanimous verdict of the public
has proved that the predictions were
entirely 700 modest. When the cur
tain rose on the opening chorus OF
men, the audience which packed the
theatre to its fullest capacity was
calm, curious, and slightly critical.
1t was interesting 10 watch the grad
ual change from the polite interest Of
friends to the spontaneous and genu-
inc appreciation of people who
have found good thing, and know
it when they see It. With the out
burst of irrepressible applause at the
end OF the trio by Nanki Poo, PIob
Tush aud Pooh Bah, the players knew
they had won their audience; and
from that time 10 the fiual fall of the
curtain the opera was one OF the most
unqualified successes ever seen iii the
Greenvllle Opera House. 1t is true
that that the players were sure OF the
friendly interest of their audience,
but the general appreciation aud
hearty enjoyment of the opera was a
very different thing from the regular
"succcs d'estime" which meets the
average amateur performances with
so large a cast it Is almost impossible
to do Justice to each individual per-
former. even If a critical notice was
appropriate under the circumstances
In the acting and singing of Miss
Moyse, Miss Primrose, Miss MOCutch.
ell, Mrs. Graham, Mr.. Bull, Mr. Barnes,
Mr.. McCutchan, Mr. Arnold and Mr.,
Graham even the most caustic critic
must have found much to commend,
and 1t is safe to say tina. their bearers
were surprised as well as delighted,
at the exhibition OF talents which
were not realized until now, even by
their friends. Over Mr.. w. G. Yer
ger, Jr., we draw the mantle OF chart
ty.
The singing of the chorls's re
ceived unstinted praise. The preeis-
ion, power and tunefulness with which
they we're rendered by nearly fifty
voices made them superior TO the
work OF many professional troupe,
while the rich costumes aud persona
beauty of the young ladies added i'm
measurably to the charm of the opera.
The success of the performance was
due, in great measure, TO the al
mlrsble work of Mrs. sGreenley, the
accompanies; and the interpolated
features were received with storms Of
applause, especially IN the case of the
quartette singing by Messrs. Howard
McCutchan, w. G. Gerger, Jro Ben
Wssson and Wade Ncgus, and the
beautiful recitation to musical accom-
paniment by Mrs. Carroll This
charming lady, who is visitor from
Little Rock, completely captured the
audience with her grace aud beauty,
and the possession of talent as tascl'
mating as it is rare.
The accuracy and almost profes.
sionAl smoothuess, correctness anu
grace of the opera was the result o.
its musical training by Mr.. Howard
McCutchau, whose gifts as a teachers
aud musical organizer need no higher
tribute than that afforded by the en-
tertainmeuts of Thursday aud Friday
night, aud who enjoys, with his pupll'
aud associates, degree of persona
popularity which enables him t'
achieve results almost impossible t,
most teachers and directors.