The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-31
nENTTCT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
UuNAAOA 1888 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.
EngIish,s-"The serenade.,

The ever youthful Bostonans returned to
English's last night in 1.-The Serenade" with
their big organization somewhat changed
in features from last year. Jessie Bartlett
Davis was laid up with voice flag or some
other professional complaint and disap-
pointed an Indianapolis audience composed
of the best people of the city. 1t was found
that Mrs. Davis has been out of the cast
for several days, her place being filled ac-
ceptably, it is true. and with no little show
of brilliance by Belle Chamberlain, her reg
uar understudy. The familiar face and
voice of the great bassO, Eugene Cowes.
was also missing, and William Broderick,
who next to Cowles, is one of the most
capable in the country, made fine impress
sion in his stead. The only trouble with
Broderick is that the role was written for
q man with heavier and lower register.
Little Alice Nielsen, who took Mr.. Cowles
with her and is now in a rival organiza-
ton, was, of course, missing, but no one
noticed it. Here is where the Bostonians
have gone up peg, for in Helen Bertram
they have the most brilliant. beautiful mag
heuc and dramatic prima donna ever assoc
greatest in light opera Miss Bertram was
generously received in her home city, but
Wouiq nave been recieyed as enthusiastic
had she hailed from Terre Haute
Wabash Always a lyric beauty Miss
charming widow for the
D appears more Superatively en-
tran6 IAN at any time in her career
Her season of success in London has
given her an artistic air, dash and
swagger which has not been seen i'm
other pr1na donnas who have passed tins
way in a long time. The Bertram was nm
doubtedly the greatest personal hit with the
company last night. Her waltz song in the
second act, with its cadenza and flute cbli-
cato, she was forced to sing three times be-
fore the audience would release her Miss
Bertram has the maturity and strength of
voice which the Bostonians need in a So
prano 10 weigh up with the rest of this
nearly always top-heavy organization
w. II. Macdonald is the same brilliant
baritone of old, and Henry Clay Barnabee
whose athletic and frisky nature prevents
him from ever thinking of retiring finds as
many laughs in the role of the Duke of
Santa Cruez as formerly. The vitality of
The Serenade'' is such that the perform
ance this year Is fully entertaining as
when IL was first sung here. The II any
character songs and the bright lines went
with sweep OF first engagement. The
greatest popular number in the opera is the
Dreaming song, trio, in che last act
with topical verses for Barnabee the inim-
liable rockingham and Miss Bertram.
rockingham has his first chance in the
makes one feel that this young singer will
never have his deserts until he is at the
head of a company of his own The cho-
ruseS are fuller of action than any of Harry
i. Smiths previous operas, and the careful
training is largely due to s. l.. Studley. who
has been sitting in the directors chair for
eighteen years.
Manager Bacon announced last night that
Mrs Davis would hardly be able to sing
again before to-night's performance
Promise Me- would be almost like one of
those Hamlet plays without Polonius.