Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-31
~ Il. 81 81
MUSIC.

w w Va w l@I LJ ll lI II l.I IsS LI ~ ~
Last evening at the Creighton theater the
Mendelssohn society gave a performance Of
"Pinafore," a comic opera by Gilbert and
Sullivan, in thu presence Of a large and en-
thusiastic audience. Just why a society de-
voted to the production of comic opera
should be named after Mendelssohn, whose
claim to fame rests most upon his ora
torios and piano music, does not at this
writing appear. Perhaps Mr.. T0rrens is con-
templatlng giving elijah in costume. As
Mendelssohn is responsible for the paradox,
Songs Without Words" and as the songs
in comic opera are often without words-that
any one can rnderstand-it may be perfectly
fair to him to name a comic opera com
pany in his honor. He was a jolly sort o!
fellow anyway, and would have enjoyed the
performance by his --latest born last evening.
Mr.. L. A. Torrens deserves much credit for
the production of Gilbert and Sullivan's beau
tiful little opera. He has rehearsed his
people during the last three months untir-
ingly and with a persistence that is COM
mcndable. AS a director he leaves some
room for Improvement. His method OF con-
Quoting is far from clear and distinct,
largely from the fact that no matter what
kind of time or measure the piece may be
written In he uses only what seems to be
the down beat. This is very confusing to
his singers, and especially to his orchestra
1t is diflcult to establish a standard OF
criticism for an amateur performance whlch
shall do Justice to the public and TO the
performers. It goes without saying that
every person upon the stage did his best, and
often that best was very good. There was a
great deal of talent in the cast. Miss Jessie
Dickinson as Josephine deserves much praise
for her fine voice and intelligent singing,
Her stage walk verges upon the tragic, and
at times reminded one of Marie Stuart or
Lady Macbeth. 1t is pretty serious work
for a company of amateurs to give a comic
opera, and Il Is no wonder they gave them
selves three cheers when 1t was over. Miss
Dickinson has been the moving spirit In
the whole enterprise = and possesses mar
velous energy. Her voice Is clear and
resonant and the high tones especially eff
fective,
MIR. Luther H.. Tate made a very pleasing
Captain. He has a nfce1 voice.
Mr.. Dan II. Wheeler, jfa. was Ralph, the
lover. He needs 2 few lessons in the ex-
quisite art of embracing, and should not per-
nit eyes in the audience TO rob his demon
STATIONS of devotion Of their natural ardor.
He sang his music sa satisfactorily.
Mr.. c., d. HaverstockIas "D!ck Deadeye'
and Mr., Joseph Baldrige as bill
Backstay," the boats@aih, were especially
successful in their rollS lff
Miss Helen H~oaglapdufas Little Butter
cup" made a good impression. Her voice is
full and rich In the lower tones and size
sang her part in good taste. She will i'm
prove her action with experience. She has
two faults which were shared With all but
one Of the principals. The first Is a tendency
TO hold the head down, the second to make
all GESTURES from the elbow, Nearly al
amateurs have the same trouble and a little
experience is a sure cure,
Mrs. G. w. Johnston as Hebe did the little
she had to do so well that one wished she
had more of a part. Her voice is one of the
best in the city. and with training and public
work she would have reason TO expect a sue
eessful stage career.
OF all the cast Mr.. Luclus b. Copeland a.
Sir Joseph seemed most at homs and at ease,
He has had previous experience and has a
most reasonable ambition to go on the stage.
lis voice Is rich and full. 1t needs more
resonance and moro intensity. A theater
demands a different kind of tone production
from that which is most effective in a par
lor. Mr.. Copeland gave his lines distinctly
aud with force. His acting was natural and