The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-11
PLAY BILLS THIS WEEK
sOUsA'S s"THE BRIDE-ELECTo' COMING
TO ENGLISHS TUESDAY.
"The District Attorney VIII Have the
Stage at the Grand-ParIz and
Empire Attractions.

Sousa's opera, 1.-THE Bride-elect," with
both music and words written by the march
king, and which has been one of the best
advertised productions since Its first per-
Torrance last winter, Will be seen IN Indi-
annapolis Tuesday night at English's for an
engagement of two nights and a matinee.
The pathway Of this opera has been strewn
with the roses of favorable criticism. 1.-The
Bride-elect" is said to possess go many ele-
ments of popularity that 1t should prove a
real musical treat in this city. Sousa's mu-
sic alone is a magnet few can resist; but
when 1t is surrounded by a great cast of
artists and operate mise en- scene 1t as
sumes a new charm. The cast is noted for
fits general excellence, and includes Hilda
Clark, the well-known pTima donna. Miss
Clark in this opera is said to have scored
the success of her career. She is the young
est and generally considered the prettiest
soprano singing in light opera. Alfred Hart,
who succeeded De Wolf Hopper in Wang"
has the leading comedy role, in which he is
said to be excruciatingly funny. Mr. Hart
has several excellent topical songs, one in
the third act about the musical goat having
eaten up the cylinders of a photograph,
which never fails to elicit a series of en-
cores. Christie Macdonald, whose first big
hit with Francis Wilson brought her into
prominence, sings and acts most charmingly
the title role, which fits her as if it were es-
pecially written for her dainty style. Miss
MacDonald's solo in the second act, 1.-THE
Snow Baby song, is one of the gems of the
opera, and is spoken of as the most classical
composition Sousa has yet produced Ma
bella Baker. the contralto, has good oppor-
tunities in 1.-The Bride-elect," where her
rio x-Oia ad6 off,
to the scenes in which she appears. Melville
Stewart a strikingy handsome baritone
who came to this country with the Abbey &
Grau Opera Company, has one of the prin-
cipal parts in 1.-The Bride-eect" Other
members of the company are George Lyding.
tenor; Melville Stewart, baritone; Alice
Campbell. Minnie Britton, Marie Franklin,
Lola Allen, Charles Drew, Harry Luck
stone, Wesley tombstone William Smith,
Charles Goettler and Z. G. Schaeffer. Frank
Palma is the musical conductor, Ben Teal
stage director, and Prof. Carl Marwig di-
reefs the ballet.
The music, as might be known, bears the
peculiar trade mark of Mr.. Sousa That pc
culiar quality which dominates all his COM
positions is said to be present in every num-
ber Sousa's music can hardly be mistaken
for the inspiration of any other man. The
story relates the intrigues. passions and
martial struggle of two petty potentates
and the scenes are laid on the beautiful
island OF Capri, the home of beautiful girls,
IN the bay of Naples, where the author
composer has imagined two tiny Kingdoms
Unlike most comic operas, 1.-THE Bride-elect
has a plot worth the hearing and seeing
The dramatic situations are strong, its dia-
logue witty and its lyrics are something
more than clever versification. The music
Is the most ambitious Mr.. Sousa has yet
written, and is claimed to be way above that
which made 'El Captain" so popular. The
matinee will be given Wednesday.