The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-10
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
ALDEN BENEDICT.

In Fabio Romani, which will be pre-
sented Friday evening. the mana cement
has secured an attraction of more than
ordinary strength. 1t is a melodrama
with sense and consistency, as well as I'M
deniable power and unf1agging interest.
il is full of interesting dramatic scenes,
which grapple fast to the heartstrings,
while the comedy, which comes in natur-
ely, is not only genuine but appropriate.
The piece is splendidly set, and the great
earthquake effect in the last act, coupled
with a simultaneous eruption of Mount
Nesuvius, is wonderfully thrilling and
realistic. The plot starts with the decep-
ton of a husband, who is buried alive
(but revives and escaeps from the tomb
by his wife and best friend, and the pun
isbment meted out TO the erring pair by
that husband is truly dramatic theme,
and one which the dramatist has worked
out nobly.
AS for the performance, not word can
be said but in Its praise. Alden Benedict
who has a fine stage presence and is an
unusually impressive actor. fills the dual
role of Fabio Romani and Conte Olivia
with dignity, force and effect Agnes
Summers gives a typical representation
OF the lying and unfaithful wife. Excel
lent work. aptly combining comedy and
p2thos, is done by Mr.. Charles L. Farrell,
rs Respitti, a ragpicker. The other roles
are adequately sustained. The serpent
inc. stereopticon and Spanish dances of
Miss Grace Hunter are dreams Of beauty
and grace.
Sale of seats for this engagement opens
this morning az Mosbocher's jewelry
store.
SOUSA'S BAND.
Sousa's band, which has achieved the
greatest reputation in the shortest time.
Is now recognized as the finest organization
or its kind on the continent If not in
the world Its itinerary for the coming
season embraces all the leading cities in
the country, includes 259 concerts in 1914
cities and towns and viii cover over 21,-
600 miles from ocean 10 ocean. and from
the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Of ST.
Lawrence It's special enga gements are
for themost notable events and localities
and II promises under the leadership OF
Its magnetic and accomplished conductor
20 win even greater honors.
Sousa's encoreS are frequent at his con-
certs. Indeed, Sousa concert without
p succession Of spirited encore pieces
would lack half of its charms. and the
conductor OF the band has been SO quick
To recognize the fact that he is always
prepared 10 goOd-naturedly meet the au-
dience In the matter when like Oliver
Twist. it calls for more.
This band comes to Wichita for one
concert. tomorrow Thursday night. The
program VIII be an entirely new one, no
number having been played at former
concerts. The reserved seat chart is at
Wallis jewelry store. The advance sale
already indicates large audience.
SEASON OF OPERA.
Manager MaItling reports that great
interest s already expressed on all sides
about the proposed season of opera. and
that. judging from present indications.
he hopes soon TO announce the engage
ment as an assured fact. The ANIMAL
opera season has now become Quite the
FAD in most all the larger cities and
manager Martling is solictous about
Wichita, keeping up with the process
s!ou." If this engagement succeeds Il !
is proposed to make it the forerunper Of
regular annual opera season.
In answer 10 a question as to the per
sonnet OF the Andrews Opera COMPANY.
u will be remembered that its pvirna
donna, Miss Rena Atkinson recently
acheVed very notable success in the
!esding prima donno role of the Frank
Daniels Wizard of the Nile COM
psny IN its big New York City and Phil
adeIpnla productions Miss Atkinson is
a recent acquisition OF the Andrews O2-
era company. and is said to be lady OF
rare personal charm and beauty. Her
unusually brilliant voice has already |
paced her IN the front rank OF American
prima oonnaS. The name If Mr. Law
Taylor. leading tenor. is a familiar ono l
in every great city OF this county and /, /.
Canada He has been identified princi- !
pally with the McCaull. Carleton. Ameri-
can and Andrews Opera companies. His
splendid voice and talents have made /
him prime favorite everywhere. NJ.
G. Byron Browne. baritone, also a recent
acquisition. was for seven years pr!ncl-
pal baritone in the original Gilbert and /
Sullivan productions at the Savoy thea
tre. London. 1t goes without. saying that