The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-09
AT THE THEATERS.

representative audience of large proper
lions assembled within the Metropolitan opera
house last night 10 hear and behold THE
Mandarin the latest comic opera by De
Koven and Smith. Since these two gen
tlemen gave robin Hood to the stage.
any succeeding work that bears their name
awakens pleasing anticipation and a conse
quent desire to witness it. The Mandarin,
from a musical standpoint, cannot compete
with robin Hood" but that is not to say
that it fails to fulfill its purpose. What the
score lacks in originality. in richness of haT-
mony in captivating themes, is atoned for
by the wealth and beauty of the state set
tings, the brilliant costuming, the dazzling
array Of color, the picturesque scenery. I'M
mediately succeeding the recent elaborate pro-
duction here of Half a King" and THE
Wizard of the Nile The Mandarin must
needs be sumPtuously dressed to entrance
the eye, as it unquestionably did last night.
The music Of this opera is a succession Of
tinkling tunes varied occasionally by the
introduction of rhythmic waltz movements. 1t
is but fair to say that there is not a preten-
tious bar in the entire vocal score, though
some ingenious bits Of orchestration were
frequently noticeable. Among the most pleas
ing numbers were the duet for soprano and
tenor, First Love Is Best. They Say the
peror (baritone) and Jesse (soprano); the
emperor's song. I've a Bone to Pick With
Him." and the Ting Ling" soprano solo,
with chorus. This last number was delight
fully reminiscent of the Magnet and
Churn'' in Patience" 1t might be men
toned in this connection that the librettist,
Mr.. Smith, likewise gives US q reminder Of
Lady Jane in the same opera, in the
character of Sing-Lo, the mandarin's pursu-
ing chaperone.
The Hbrettist has written some clever d.
aiogue and ingenious lyrics The disposition
to inDart a favor of the Gilbertian larry
fairy persilage" to the lines as notice
able as it was in Half a King" and THE
Wizard of the Nile" both of which are from
the pen Of Mr.. Smith, who is nothing If not
Americas most prolific librettist today.
The principal roles are for the most part
in competent hands. George C. Boniface Jr
is always amusing in the role of the yaga-
bond who becomes the mandarin in spite of
himself But from a more legitimate point
of view, the shining lights of the cast are
Bertha WaltZinger and Henry Norman. The
former who plays Jesse, possesses a pure
and ringing soprano and splendid method
She sings with the unmistakable ease and ex-
preston of the artist. Her opportunities are
unduly limited ir the opera. AS for Mr.
enunciation. his unctuous humor and per-
feet self-command always render him thor
oughly satisfying and enjoyable. More of
Mr.. Norman would likewise be welcome
Joseph Sheehan. who appeared In the role
of Hop Sing, an actor in love with the man
darin's favorite wife, possesses a resonant
tenor voice, which he uses effectively.
The famous drama, la Belle Russo by
DALI IT,
Maryland" will be presented at the Metro
politan opera house Friday and Saturday
evenings and Saturday matinee. Miss Eda
Clayton will appear in the leading role, and
will be supported by clever company.
Reginald De Koven, the great composer
who was to have led the orchestra at the
Metropolitan opera house tonight In the pro-
duction of The Mandarin" has been sud
denly summoned to New York on urgent bus
mess, and will be unable to appear in this
city.
Stuart Robson in THE Jucklins," the
dramatization of Opie Reads famous book of
that name, will begin engagement of three
nights and Wednesday matinee at the Met
ropolitan opera house next Monday evening.
The sale of seats for Mr.. Robson's engage
ment begins Thursday morning.
The sasle Of seats for the Sousa band con-
certs at the Metropolitan next Thursday
afternoon and evening is very large, and
packed house is assured for both the matinee
and evening concerts. Sousas assisting ar
lists have invariably upheld the status of the
band and its leader. On the present tour
they will prove to be acquisitions of beauty
as well as talent. Elizabeth Northrop the
soprano, is telling in timbre, facile in execu-
ton and true in pitch. She sings with a
genuine intelligence and true sentiment
Martina tombstone. the violiniste, forms one
Of the Quartette Of really superb women So
loists upon this most beautiful of all instru-
ments. Arthur Pryor, Sousa's trombone So
loist, is phenomenon. 1t is scarcely nee
essary to mention his remarkable playing,
for Sousa's audiences In every city in the
United States and Canada have appIauded
him to the echo. He numbers in his re-
pertoire several new compositions. In Franz
He'll who accompanies Mr.. Sousa ON his
tenth tour as fuegeIhorn so.oist the
March King has Of the most eminent
yirtuosos upon one of the most beautiful
of all wind instruments. He will make his
first appearance in this city at the Sousa fes-
tivai Thursday afternoon.