The herald., 1897-07-02
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| LOS ANGELES THEATER-The first
performance here OF "Olivette" by the
Columbia Opera company, which took
place last night, was highly successful.
The work, from musical point of view,
is so far superior to the production
with which the company opened its en-
gagement that it is a matter of some
regret change was not made on the
first night by which the leading men,
bers of the organization could have been
seen to so much better advantage.
Ethel Balch in the title role not only
sang sweetly and with cultivated effect,
but, what is of equal Importance in a
| comic opera, she carried out with emf
nent cleverness an Interpretation Of the
| character that was dramatic in its SYM
pathy and was full of the life and quick
| intelligence which are evidently charac-
teristic of this young artist She i'm
parts to the rendition of "Olivette" a
considerable amount of impish mis-
chievousness and does not attempt to
make her refined young lady by any
means. She was the leading spirit of the
entire performance, which went last
night with a dash that covered any mi
nor defects that may have existed.
| Katherine MacNeill as the countess
eked out her vocal opportunities in the
part by the Introduction of a couple Of
interpolated songs, which were sung
with finished ease and bell-like purity
Of tone that made them very accepta-
BILE and brought forth an encore on each
occasion
Mr.. Huntington as the Duke secured
much applause for his fine bass solo in
the second act, about the only opportu
nifty he has in the opera. Fred Huntley
was in excellent voice and both sang and
acted as the Seneschal with his usual
spirit. His makeup as an old man was
excellent. The tenor role filled by Mr.
Harry Davies was admirably sung. Mr.
| Davies has much to learn of the art of
acting, but a good deal may be excused
| to him on account of his voice, which is
of sweetness and power seldom heard
among the tenors of comic opera. Grace
| Bell and Agnes Willard emerged from
the front row and assumed the dignity
| of speaking parts in the characters of
Mustique and Veloutine respectively.
Their costumes were eloquent enough
for all operatic purposes and were
strictly up to the limit with fine artistic
design and shapely finish.
| George Kunkle and Jack Henderson
again furnished the low comedy ingre-
dients. Mr.. Henderson as Coquelicot
was really quite humorous and kept
within the bounds of good taste in his
funny business. Mr.. Kunkle was not
SO sleepy as he appeared to be in the
prior performance, but he is unable or
unwilling to throw himself thoroughly
and completely into the rollicking hu-
NOR required for such broad burlesque
as he has to carry out. His Captain
de Merrimac was away ahead of his
role in "Said Pasha," but it yet lacks
the dash that comic opera of this class
calls for, quality that the actor
seems able to give it, If he would turn
himself loose on the subject.
The choruses went very we'll indeed,
a fact for which the musical director
also deserves praise. The Torpedo and
the Whale" song and chorus. led by
Ethel Balch in the nattiest of tight-f1t-
| ting costumes called forth a deserved
encore. The audience was responsive to
all the good work that was done and was
lavish with its applause. The perform
ance of "Olivette' has entirely con-
firmed the good impression made on the
first night by the company, and it's pop
ularity will doubtless go on increasing.
"Olivette" will be repeated tonight.