The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-31
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

There was colored Jubilee i'm the Prov
idence Opera House last evening. and its
principal charac 5erlstics We're engrossing
earnestness and desire TO please. Besides
these excellent qualities, ,theEporformanoe
itself was peculiarly interesting because
il provided n large amount of character
istic music which seems 10 be the thing
just at present. lnueed, ,thelpopularityro
the distinct coon melody has been grow
ing for "a year or more and the demand
has caused considerable of 10 TO be writ
ten. Some of it has been remarkably sue
cessful. for the reason that il has en-
bodied originality. melody and popular
ity and has developed strange chords ana
surprises in composition.
Tho public likes it and there is good
reason for tho developing taste. The pro-
gram last evening abOundCd in il and it
was rendered by coored vocalists, who
have passed beyond the stage of expert
ment ard are entitled TO consideration for
their acquired skill and taste in popular
music. The rollicking entertainment
was complete in every detail.
1t was the opening night at the Provi-
dence Opera House, an event that marks
the beginning of the theatrical season in
this city, and n good-sized audience ac-
cepted the opportunity 10 break the long
summer rest for an evening OF pleasure
within doors. IL was also harbinger OF
fall and a reminder that summer days
!. The city's chief playhouse presented
the Old familiar aspect, frightened up
somewhat with fresh paint and furnish
ings, and the familiar faces OF former at
taches greeted patrons The orchestra is
led by Felix Wendelschaefer and he has
associated with him some of the leading
soloists Of the city. This gives assurance
that excellence OF the orchestra music at
this theatre will show no.falling of this
season. This of itself is great satis-
faction to theatre goers who relish dis
play OF good taste and enjoy music be
tween the acts anu elsewhere when it is
called for. Henry Collin, the veteran
chief usher, who has been performing
that duty for the past quarter OF cen.
tury, is at his old post aud Eugene Wen
denlschaefsr has been promoted from the
orchestra to the post of treasurer OF the
theatre. The only change OF Importance
TO be noticed is the absence of Charlie
Collin. who has been "A familiar figure
atltnis house for number OF years. His
place OF assistant manager has Teen taken
by James A. Blake, competent ana
popular theatrical man OF Boston,
formerly associated with the management
of the Globe and Park theatres in Boston.
With these few changes the Providence
Opera House began the season OF 'V-'9S
last evening.
The attraction was Black PATHS
Trou badours under the management OF
NCelkel * Nolan. group or colored
vocalists, dancers, and speciality players.
Their entertainment ranged from All
Coons Look Alike TO Me, Ito the " "Suwanee
River" from the grand aria from La
Iravinta" to Yankee Doodle.
The bright particular star was Sissie-
retta Jones who has been appropriately
called the Black Patti. She was formerly
resident of this city where she first
attracted attention by her musical voice.
ufl... e.. lo. nipt
Inv a big basket of choice flowers, the gift
of tho Titan Club local organization.
She is said to be tho greatest singer OF
her race. and that statement VIII probably
not bo contradicted. she is certainly a
good vocalist, with n flexible and musical
soprano voice OF wide range ana great
ilexibility. Her work is only marred by
"a tendency TO the tremulo during certain
passages. Her tone is clear and 1t has
powerful carrying qualities. she has
musical sense of tho flrest quality and IT
is quite evident she has had the advan-
tage of good example in her method. Her
repose is artistic ana her style is OF the
best concert stage pattern,
Her rendering of the grand aria from
LA lraviata" was excellent and the
popular sabre song from tho Grand
Duchess" was also woll sung. The
Suwanee River was rcllshed because IL
gave the average listener an opportunity
10 IOTlu uI fflllnbtH VI NhllbSiAN ilbih a.
popuhr standpoint. 1he Black Patti
was cmiueDtly satisfactory in all her
undertakings and she sio several
stunning and handsome gowns. Sh3 had
Paris cut dresses, and dominated the
stage. and the atmosphere of the success
she had attained in New York and Europe
was apparent.
Her associates in tho troubadours are
clever people of her own race ard include
Ernest Hogan, good comedian, Billy
McClain and Mime. &. COrGelia. clever
sketch performers, Irving Jones with "a
face that would make a dead wall suile.
Hllmnn aud Perrin, musical instrument
players. Pearl Woods n dancer and con-
tortionist, fine male seXtette and
chorus Of great tuneiulneSs and volume
in negro melodies and grand Cpora solec-
tions unaor tho title of an Operatic
Kaleidoscope.
The Black Pntt 1roubadours gave n
lively and interesting entertainment W.
worth seeing and hearing. They will
rcmain ~ the opera house all the week
including "Wednesday and saturday mat.
irees. For this engagement popular
uriCcS will bS the rule.