Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-18
o
@ MCsIC AND THE DRAMA. @

Kansas City has taken a great notion for
comic opera. 1t may be that, because so
little of it comes our way in the course of 4
season, we feel obliged to make the most of
Manager Hudson's sudden generosity, or it
may be that the time has come for light
opera to dominate the play as it did a dozen
or fifteen years ago. At any rate, it is
rather significant that the operate attrac-
tons are the only ones that test the .capac-
ity Of the Coates opera house.. The recent
engagements of the Bostonians and the
three-star aggregation were immensely sue
cessful, and the DeWolf Hopper organiza-
ton opened last night with every seat oc-
cupied. between two of these
engagements was that of Mr.. Sothern in n
new play and in a revival of one of his
most memorable successes of earlier DAYS.
and yet the comedian who does not sing
had plenty of empty seats at every per-
fermance; There may be nothing signifi-
cant in these facts, but If there is. it will
not miss our speculative producers who
are invariably susceptible to the box office
argument
Our brief opera season has been so ar
ranged that 1t goes out with much dash,
thrill and p~aeeantry. Sousa is the right
composer TO bring in at the finish. Other
composers may appeal to this or that class,
but sousa Is eyerybody's composer. He is
not especially felicitouS in romantic or SEN
tmentai melody. but there is no escaping
the rhythm and sweep of his march time. A
second hearing of Eel Captain make it
all the more apparent that he has preserved
his striking individuality most remarkably
In, this delightful score. There was a time
opera success, but the waltz kim seems to
have abdicated in favor of the march king,
for not only in this opera, but in the others
recently given here. the great hits nave
been in the big inaIes and other ensembles.
We seem to be looking for big effects rather
than dainty trifies.
more imposing and enthusing than the E
Captain OF a year ago. Thu presence of
the Third Regiment band to ill out the
march fnales, and the Introduction of Sou
sa,s new Stars and Stripes march greatly
enhanced the presentation. The new march,
with its flourish of old Glory brought
plause heard in this theater in many a day.
Aside from the distinctive military char
acter of the music, there is a military pre-
thanks. no doubt, to the rehearsals of Mr..
II. A. Grips. who is both stage director
and musical conductor. The large. pictur-
esquely dressed and good looking chorus
moved with the alertness and regularity of
a crack regiment, and there was never an
awkward collection or distribution of the
people nor an inharmonious tableau.
But aside from the popularity of Sousa
and the superior merits of this particular
opera, it should not be forgotten that De
Wolf Hopper and his aggregations have
never failed to attract large audiences or
TO furnish them with satisfactory enter
customed voice last night. but he was in
fine burlesque spirit. and as Mr.. Hopper's
comedy is burlesque pure and simple. lie
was at his best on this occasion. Not that
he is incapable of legitimate comedy. for
he is said to have made a capital Falstaff
once upon a summers day at Saratoga:
funny in one Of his operas his admirers
would probably shake their heads and say,
Alas. poor Hopper!
The supporting principals are almost pre-
cisely the same as those of last season.
Pretty Mrs. Hopper, perceptibly dispirited
at moments. but sweet and winsome all
tho time ia still tho Inr,A1N~- -t-1II
Bertha Waltsinger.- who has become some
thing of a local favorite. has succeeded
Miss Bergen as Isabel. and makes more
her predecessor. Indispensable Alfred
Klein is quite as important as ever, and
Thomas Gnise. Edmund Stanley. John Parr
seen in the opera when first presented here.
The Hopper engagement will close
Wednesday night. There will be a Wednes-
day matinee.
New York: a 1.-THE New York sea-
Of Messrs. Damrosch and Ellis was begun
tonight under the most suspicious cir
cumstances. Seldom has a larger or more
the Metropolitan opera house. that ca
pacious auditorium being packed literally
from the parquet to its uppermost gal
!ery, even the standing room being all
taken.
LA Traviata" was the opera that initiat-
ed the season. The cast was substantially
me same as that with which the opera was
given here last season when Messrs. Alb
hey. Schoeffel G. Grau were the managers.
Nine. Melba was the Violette and Mime.
Van Cauteren the Flora, while Signores
Salignac and Campanarie sang the parts
Of Alfredo and Germont. respectively.
Mime. Melba was in excellent voice and
met with an enthusiastic reception. Cam
panari and Salignac also earned and re-
ceived frequent applause: the "Di Pro-
venZo" of the first named being particu-
larry we'll received.
The New York Symphony orchestra, led
by Signor Bomboni. was co%mplimented
equally with the singers. The stageing of
the opera was up to the Metropolitan
standard.
New York. Jan. I.-Robert Hillyard pre-
scented tonight a revised edition of Lost
"a Hours" to a full house at Hoyt's thea
ter. The amended version of the play with
which Mr.. Hillyard scored a success. par
ticularly through the West. is called a
New Yorker" and more laughter-provok-
ing If possible. than the original. The
changes have not been extensive.
Marriage Licenses Issued Yesterday.
Name. Age.