Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-15
10000 o
U S AND THE DRAMA.


ANNOUNCEMENTS o
COates-International Opera Company in Faust"
Grand-"Tennessee's Pardner.' S p. III.
O~rpheum-Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Milton Rcyle
and other vaudeville features. s:i5 p. N.
Gilliss-"Human Hearts, Sis p. m.
1t has been a long time-a dozen years,
at least-since Lucia di Lammermoor'
was so well sung in this city as it was at
the Coates opera house last night by the
international company. If there was any
doubt as to the entire Eortn.ress of the
organization announced for a brief season
at this theater, that doubt ought to be dis
PEELED to-day by the reports of last nights
performance. The cast was not what would
be called an ideal one. but il should be re-
membered that ideal casts are seldom seen,
even when the scale of prices is double That
prevailing for the present engagement.
But with afgreat soprano. n fine baritone. a
superb basso. a strong chorus and carefully
selected and admirably conducted orchestra.
some allowances may be made for an 1n-
satisfactory tenor and an almost unheard
contralto. the latter part not being proml-
nent in the opera. If Manager LeerberSer
does not succeed in making a big success
of his project to present grand opera at
prices that are within the reach of all. it
will not be his fault. for he has met the
pubIic more than half way in his
able enterprise.
The endurance and popularity of the t1o-
| rid operas are readily accounted for. WHAT
ever may be the achievements of great art
lists in the more modern school OF opera.
| the reputation of nearly every great singer
of this and other times is intimately assoc
ciated with the masters of melody-Witn
| Verdi, with Rossini. with Bellini. with Don
izetti, with Gounod. The soaring ariaS OF
these composers are reminiscent of oper-
ate romance. They recall memorable de-
butts and luminous Zeniths in the careers or
great singers. They are kept in mind by
their adapatability to the concert stage.
They are the familiar quotations from
the lyric composers.
Lucia di Lammermoor.'' although unre-
lievedly somber, is continuously musical. 1t
is the masterpiece of Donizetti. and is also
the most popular work of this composer.
Neither a genuine preference for the mu-
Italian school. can dull the effect that the
great numbers of this opera, adequately
sung, produce upon an audience. Say what
you may of the somewhat artificial eli
makes. dramatic and musical. that are con-
| spicuous features of this work, these splen-
did combinations of incident and melody in
to exceptional enthusiasm. The sextette of
Lucia" for example. perhaps the greatest
concerted number In Italian opera, was fol-
lowed last night by a spontaneous and ire
repeated before the audience would be sat
isfied.
| Inc MAD scene, Win It's COIEDliatlOn u
dramatic interest. pathetic suggestion and
melodious ornamentation. with its incom-
parably beautiful aria and flute obligato.
was the other great feature waited for by
the audience, and as the scene was su-
perbly sung by Madame De We're, there
was no reservation, in the enthusiasm that
followed and that demanded a repetition.
Madame De We're is remembered here
only as a concert singer-as a robust Wom-
arti ahe s q pp g # 'RssV an aug agre espbHas sur-
prise to find that she had grown more
slender and that her voice. which had
the concert number sung here. was al
most perfectly adapted to the special re-
quirements of the Lucia music. Her voice
is clear, sympathetic and brilliant. and she
sings with fine discrimination. The pres.
ence of such a gifted and accomplished
fractions. is sufficient to make the present
grand opera season one of unusual import
ance.
Signor Collenz was a disappointment.
He sang Edgardo with much feeling. and
his earnestness of manner did something
toward making up for the shortcomings
possesses. He has a persistent vibration
that. is especially offensive in this forfd
music.
In Signor Bellati the company has q
thoroughly satisfactory baritone. and that
is saying much when one considers the
not only well equipped v%ocaily, but he is
sturdy and agreeable to look upon. He
| sang the CruUa FuneStd ana Id re
tade'' arias with fine effect and came
out splendidly in the sextette.
sign9r Dado; the basso; is a great artist
alleged pleasure to hear this man, for
his big. rich tones are delivered with most
unusual fnesse for a basso. He ought to
create a. sensation tonight as Mephisto.
Special mention should be made of the
orchestra. not only for the work of the
musicians themselves. but for the effect
whole performance. Signor Sapio evidently
believes that no concessions should be
made TO music drama. in conducting, lyric
tifully modulated, the general rendition be-
ing so exceedingly refined that the occa-
sional dramatic passages are all the more
striking for the contrast.
Faust will be sung tonight with the
new tenor. Mr.. George Mitchell. as Faust;
Signor Bellati as Valentine. Signor Dado
City. as Wagner: Miss Louise Engel as
Martha and Madame DE We're as Mar
WASHINGTON. Nov. IA new three
star dramatic combination has been formed
hare as the result of negotiations extend
ing over several weeks. The event alsc
marks the return TO stay. after an absence
of three years. of one of the best of New
York's favorite comedy actresses, but in {
new line of work to that in which the pub
lie has known her. The combination viii
produce the legitimate ShakespeareaI
drama. and. as this now has not many eX
ponents, hopes that the joining of three
leading artists with fine scenery and acces
sories will meet with success sufficient tt
warrant the assemblage of their talents il
the company. The stars. who will be billie,
alike, are Mr.. r. D.. Mclean. Miss Odett.
Tyler and Mr.. Charles B. Hanford. Mr.
Hanford Is at present in this city producins
Shakespearean and other strictly legitimat,
plays at the Columbia theater. and MI
and Mrs. Mclean have come to Town from
their mountain home near Shepherdstown
w. Va. and are rehearsing daily. prior t,
joining forces with Mr.. Hanford Decembe'
S. Miss Odette Tyler was very much in tn,
IFpublic eye up to three years ago. She wa.
a leading woman in Frohman's stock com
pany and made a hit in Lyndon in 'Secre
Service of the Gillette plays which ha,
a great run there. She is a dauShter o
General Kirkland and is of an excellen
Savannah. Ga. family. Her name wa
quite prominent before the New York pub
lie before she married Mr.. Mclean an,