Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-26
The Castle Square Opera Company
Will Close Tonight.
REVIEW OF A SUCCESSFUL SEASON
The Columbia Theater Offers
Another New Comedy.
I y T f r f S T n CT CHI A T

stated that opera. comic or grand, has ne-er
been presented here with such general eX-
rellerce as to scenery. stage appointments
and costumes. Every opera was put on
with the )st careful attention to all the
details. and in every instance some of the
stage pictures elected spontaneous ap-
plause. The work of chorus and orchestra
was invariably good and reflected the
greatest credit upon the ability of the
musical director. Mr.. McGh!e. for on him
fell the task of properly bringing these
two forces into shape and intimate ac-
quaintance- Mr.. McGh!e has proved him
self one of the most efficient directors.
Arrays alert to discover any weak point,
5ither in principals or chorus, and to as
sist in strengthening it. broad and COM
prehensive in his readings. and thoroughly
equipped musician. never afraid OF
1ard work. but wiling to reheaTse over and
over again until the proper standard was
reached. Mr. Mctihic has been the to
whom tn credit of the long series of sue
:"SStIl performances has been largely due.
In this connection praise should be also
given to Mr.. Fay. the stage manager, who
-as attended TIC all the details of the stage
pictures.
As to the principals they have been gen
orally satisfactory, but the number of really
artistic singers was limited Mr. Joseph
sheehan and Mr.. VIM. G.. Stuart were much
supe rior to their male associates. while
Miss Lizzie Macnchol and Miss Grace Col
den held TIE same position with regard TO
me female contingent In producing operas
so rapidly. giving new one every week
II IS not easy 10 always cast the people in
way that shall enable them to appear
at their best, hut a singer whose voice is
good and has been well trained can always
demonstrate that fact. although it may no;
he possible to show ones full capabilities.
Miss Nacn-chol has shown care and ar
tistic excellence in all her interpretations.
and Miss Golden. though Handicapped in
some of the roles in which she has been
.ast by bad habits. vocalIy. has shown
by her splendid impers onaton of San
tuzza that she possesses true drama tic
fire and that when she loses her self con-
seriousness she sings effectively. of the
other ladies who have been prominent dur
ing the season. Miss Linck was the most
promising. ard it is understood that she
has now gone abroad to perfect her must
cal studies. Miss LIGHTER seemed to catch
the general applause, but she was not up
TO the sta ndard of either of the others
named Miss Bessie Fairbain and Miss
Bartlett have proved themselves good.
h&hie actresses and fair singers Miss
Alec JUdSon has had several good oppor-
tUT ties. bur she has rot yet been able to
rea .lzc that each character has its own
Individuality, and demands specific and dis
tihct treatment She is ambitious and de-
ttrInined. however. and with her handsome
personal appearance and ha- pleasing voice
viii get there in time.
S1nle of tie men besides those already re-
ftrred TO have done good work notably
e. Richie Ling. Cunningham Rob
siI>' Ndrielon and Lelbee and of the
;Gnit,.ianS Messrs- Wolff. WooIey and
hitchcock have been unusually good Some.
OF IN" Characters interpreted by Mr. NoIn
coC!d not he improved upon.
Ii is singular fact that. although this
mas been called a summer season, when il
would be expected that light opera would
Dc iht more popular. the largest audiences
win the single exception of the "AIikado"
weck-have been when grand opera mas
been produced Faust" and Carmen
both drew excellently and the .'CayaIl.ria
kustlcana has been the principal attrac-
tlon this week. This should be hint to
m ranage ment when the season opens in
! !iWar f5d 80 People 10 sing Troyatore
mso and Juliet Il Pagliacci." La Cha
cCEda. Aida" and Others of that class
are oh;ainabe- In fact. it would psrhaps
rtfuire only few additions TO the force
already at hand. and cach of these oner,s
would draw we'll Another suggestion might
DE- made TO revive some operas that have
rot been heard in years. and are compa,a-
uVeiv new to the present generation such
hs The Elixir of Love Pose of Castiia =
or WI DIAMONDS. ''Maritara" Car and
1ti9"nter and ..CriSpino 81 la Comare"
mae the bohemian Girl" and Fra Diav-
90 are always pleasing.
Jack Robinson serves to introduce the
columbia stock Company-at least. some
members of it-in the guise of cycle cranks
IL gave little Grayce Scott an onnorfunitv
TO show the ladies one of the neatest cycIc
SUITS 81 the season while the clocks on
Bert ThayreS golf hose kept time with tho
procession of male styles But the scene
cid not exhibit all the wheeling talent of
the company. for that would be omit. a
cycling parade They are all bicycle cranks
Win the single exception Of Miss Eyelypne
and one can hear more wheel talk arouni
the lobby of the Columbia during the briaf
lGahns time of the players than in anv
place, excepting a cycle club Meesrs In
seFsan and Thayre the two latest additions
70 the company. are confirmed cranks hut
being newcomers. they were not acr,,r,Ie
~ rated on the list of champions Accord
Hgly there has been some discussion as to
" no deserves the title of the spcedjest
ridtr IN the company. In order to settle il
d ROAD race was arranged, to Cabin John
am back. bewcen RarrOws. ROag. IngersoII
and ThayTe. The time for pulling IN off
was settled for last Sunday morning and
III order not to excite the suspicion of thu.
p"ilcr and result in arrests for racing on
the Conduit road. ii was decided that the
start should be made singly and that each
man should pursue his own course the one
returning first to the starting point being
declared the winner Godfrey Stein vol
uIi,eered as starter, while his brother went
up 10 Cabin John by railway 10 sec that
an the racers arrived in due time at the
upier end of the route. 1t has been very
"!HcuIt 20 get any reports of the race as
an seemed inclined TO keep stilI on the sub
jet. and only recently. through the sep
aFdte evidence of those concerned has the
truth Of the affair leaked out.
I'HdS anu EdIFoWS came back together.
h"'h looking rather shamefaced and they
agreed to call the race tie between them
selves John Stein is witness to the fact
trat both arrived at the bridge. Roag be
lH- a short time in the lead. and starting
back first But the same witness alleges
That ineersoll and Thayre did not arrive
at all The two latter gentlemen stoutly
averret that they did ride TO a bridge and
crossed II together, returning almost neck
and neck But on investigation IL appears
that instead Of the Conduit road they
raced together over the Canal road and
NOS being familiar with the topography of
The country hercabOuts, mistook the Chain
bridge for Cabin John. OF course they
were duly laughed at but Boag and Bar
rows did not seem disposed TO crow over
them FOR some reason other. In fact
for alleged winners of road race they
were the most modest champions ever
known Their extreme reluctance in de-
scribinG the incidents of their remarkable
ride finally aroused suspicion, and anna
teur detectives who have been working on
the case believe that they have solved the
mystery.
II appears that Billy Boag. who had not
ridden much this season, was doubtful of
his staying powers In such race, although
good on a short squirt. Accordingly he laid
deep plot 10 cutwit the others and win
nom In hrfa hs.