The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-14
AT THE THEATERS.

To Sousas Gel Captain" must be accorded
the palm as the most tuneful and spirited
comic opera produced upon the local stage
this season. A splendid audience greeted De
Wolf Hopper and his company who presented
the opera at the Metropolitan opera house
last night. No more convincing evidences of
the success of Eel Captain are needed than
the admiring and almost incessant applause.
the frequent encores and the numerous cur
tain calls at the close Of each act, which were
in vogue last night. So enthusiastic and in
sistent were the latter that Mr. Hopper
could not escape without two speeches. one
after the first act and the other between
the second and third.
lei Captain" is essentially a symposium of
marches, occasionally interspersed with grace
full waltzes. Much Of it's music is already
familiar to the public. it's popularity having
carried it here, as elsewhere before the adj
vent of the opera itself. But this rather en-
hances the enjoyment of the spirited and
captivating melodies, which are greeted as
friends that one has learned to fully ap-
preciate. Eel Captain better deserves the
title of comic opera than do most of the
musical extravaganzas that travel under that
designation. There Is a character and a con-
tinuity in its musical treatment that dis
tinguishes it from mere melange or col
lection of arias duets, quartettes and Choir
uses, which, pretty though they may be,
lack the proper musical dependence and
connection. The first act Of ''EI Captain" is
the least satisfying. though containing the
famous march that has contributed much
to popularizing the opera. There are some
finer pieces of composition in the second act
notably the soprano solo sung by Isabel to
Ell Captain, with chorus and the succeeding
double chorus Of gayly singing bridesmaids
about to attend a wedding, and the mGurnful
dirge-like strains of the ladies who are be-
wailing the supposed sad fate of Medigua.
The harmony between the two is ingeniously
arranged. The finale of the second, as well
as the full chorus Immediately preceding it,
are the musical c1imaxes Of the opera The
most amusing and catchy number is reserved
for the last act, in which FL Captain Hopper)
Estrelda EDNA Wallace Hopper and Scar
amba John Parr) sing 1.-The Typical Tune
of Zanzibar exceedingly taking and
comical ditty.
At the risk of being invidious, it must
be admitted that De Wolf Hopper is almost
the whole show" True the costumes are
pretty, the scenery rich and picturesque and
the other members Of the company genera lily
satisfactory, especially the tenor and soprano
but Mr.. Hopper fills the stage most Of the
time. But as the people go principally to
see the elongated comedian and as he is
really very clever and very funny, it is only
right that he should be In evidence as much
as possible. Mr.. Hopper is as jovial as
unctuous, and as active as ever, and still
possesses, in good condition, that sonorous
bass voice which has rightly earned him the
title of the best and possibly the only singing
comedian on our comic opera stage. His
voice is heard to excellent advantage in
this opera.
Miss Nella Bergen in the role Of Isabel, Ell
Captains daughter, attracted favorable atten-
ton. She is the pOsSessor of a statuesque fig
ure, a sweet face and high soprano voice,
especially clear and penetrating in the ex-
IRENE upper register, and invariably true.
Edmund Stanley, who is not a stranger, is
also pleasing vocalist, his tenor possessing
a vibrant musical quality
In the comparatively small role allotted to
him, Alfred Klein, TIE little, round comedian
amusing ever Edna Wallace Hop
per always cute and pretty picture as
Estreda. Alice Hosmer was satisfactory in
the role Of Princess Marghanza.
The Seibert orchestra will give it's annual
Easter concert at the Metropolitan opera
house next Sunday afternoon. The pro-
gramme for this event has been selected with
and popular selections, making one of the
most enjoyable musical entertainments ever
offered to our local public. The sale of seats
for the Easter Sunday concert begins at the
box Office tomorrow morning.
After an absence Of nearly four years Will
lam H. Crane returns to this city the latter
half of this week, when he and his company
will be seen in two of the comedians biggest
successes of recent years. The opening play
will be "a Fool of Fortune" comedy which
IS said to have found much favor in all of the
cities in which it has been seen. His Wifes
Father is a comedy. the central idea of
which is taken from the German Of LAT
ronge. On its first production in New York
this play ran for four months. Last season
it was given for a month in Chicago. and
this season 1t was revived there for fort
night. "A Fool of Fortune" will be given
Thursday and Saturday and His Wifes
Father" Friday and at the Saturday matt
nee. Mr.. Crane will bring with him his New
York company.
The advance sale of reserved seats for the
opening week of Manager Lifts high class
vaudeville company, which will begin proceed
ings next Sunday night opens today at the
box Office. All the stars advertised will posi-
lively he on hand, and great programme can
be anticipated.
1.-The ProdigaI Father" the extremely lively
farce comedy now playing at the Grand. drew
another well filed house last night 1t is
replete with funny sayings and all the latest
songs and dances, and there is not duh mo-
ment in it.
KANSAS "R00nI ING"