Evening star., 1898-08-02
AMUsEsrENTs.

GRAND OPERA AT GLEN ECHO
Grand opera at suburban resort is in
deed an unconventfonality, but judging
from the large crowd present last night at
the initial performance of the Jaxon Opera
Company at Glen Echo, the experiment is
popular one, and in Washington at least
promises to be enninently successful.
Faust" Gounod's master work, was the
difficult opening bill the company chose.
Principals and chorus alike, however, were
fully up to the requirements Of slightly
reduced score. and the result was a pleas
ing production, such as Is rarely witnessed
outside of thoroughly frst-class theater.
For a first night, and for a stage minus
all the usual adjuncts that go to make up
a grand opera performance, the Faust,
of Mr.. Jaxon's organization is indeed re-
markable. In vocal power, as well as in
the ability to portray character, the mem
bers of the cast made individual hits and
their work was warmly applauded. The
chorus, though not large is made up of ex-
ceHent singers. The ensembles SO much
enjoyed in all grand operas and the parts
that test the capacity of the producing
company were we'll carried out.
Mile. Fatmah Dard, who is much pref
tier than her name. was heard Mar
guer1te, and all who were present pro-
nounced her work as thoroughly efficient
sweetness and fexibility of her voice. Miss
Louise Engeps Martha was enjoyable to
say the least, while Miss Lehman was
quite attractive as Siebel her evident tim
idfty detracting but little from the role.
The company Is very strong on the mascu-
line side, the tenor, Payne Clarke, being
too we'll known on the operatic stage to
need comment. while the bassos were un-
usually effective Clarke has the title role
and sings the difficult tenor score with
ease, senssbly skipping, for the sake of
evenness and beauty of rendition, the high
c notes in the "Salve di Mora" that more
pretentious stars than he hesitate to at
tempt. VIII Carleton is very good Me-
phistopheles, singing and acting with much
spirit. while Winnifred Goff, Valentine,
displayed an excellent baritone voice and
sang with artistic effect. John Reade,
Wagner, was accorded recognition for good
work. The orchestral work deserves espe-
cial mention, the enlarged corps of mu-
sictans playing the score in manner that
ganization Thursday evening Faust
will be succeeded by Wallaces work,
''Maritana.'
THE UNION ROOF GARDEN-The pop
ularity of the Union Roof Garden con-
tinues, and last evening there a good
sized crowd present to witness the bill for
the current week. marking the sixth of the
season. The continuous performance plan
is still pursued, and the program was re-
peated after an intermssion of nve min
uteS for the benefit of the late arrivals.
The first number is George Crawford, in
artistic bag punching, and the only fault
the audience has to find is that his special
ty Is entirely too short. Hussey and We
ber. in musical specialties, are good, and
receive plenty of applause for their per-
formances on different instruments. Miss
Lucy Rogers. the dancing soubrette, man
ages to dance much better than she sings.
M Hepner, as prestidigitator gives @
number of good tricks, though the position
of the stage is such that the audience is
able to detect many of the passes made by
the performer. The Deltnos are perhaps
the best feature on the program. The male
member in the first act gives a number of
difficult contortions, which surprises the
audience. In the second appearance there
is much skill exhibited in the knife throw
ing, woman staGing beside a partition
while knives are thrown all around her
figure. This feat is performed number of
times with the woman in a different posi-
ton each time. The dancing pavilion,
which has been on the east roof, will be
moved to the rear of the present garden,
and dancing held under the direction of
Professor Henry Schlosser. The selling Of
non-into xicating beverages continues to be
a feature of the place.