The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-11
ADJUSTMENTS.

Nearly three hours medley Of choice
songs and bright comeGy IS nutshell de-
scription of THE Serenade.'' Victor Her
bert's opera, with which the Bostonians
opened their engagement at English's last
night. The comedy action of the new opera
is pronounced. extending even to the album
ant chorus people. Herberts music is high
class. the principal numbers have catchy
rhythm and the score throughout easily
adapts itself to lively action. All of the
many principals in this unrivaled operate
organization are given repeated opportunity
for charming vocalzation and so equally do
they all figure in the operate gems that it
would be difficult to say which one, if any,
does the best. Jessie Bartlett Davis never
looked more enhancing and youthful, her
pearly smile was never more bewitching,
nor her stirring voice more thrilling than
as Dolores. the willful ward of the Duke
of Santa Cruz. 1t is not so much in the
solos as in the ensemble numbers that Mrs
Davis's attractiveness is made apparent in
1.-The Serenade." The song of the Angelus,
probably her most pretentious number, is
featured with full chorus assisted by
chimes in the convent tower, and is one of
the best orchestrated pieces in the opera.
IT is probably more highly appreciated by
those with cultivated ears than by those
who insist on their music being mixed with
fun or love sentiment. Henry Clay Barna-
bee, as the old duke, is prosecuted through
out the three acts by passionate serenade
song, with which baritone Macdonald has
won the heart of Dolores. Others are also
after Dolores and they learn the serenade
and sing IL on the slightest proyocation.
The leader Of the brigands in the
person of handsome Eugene Cowles
who gains entrance to the monastery adj
joining the girls convent, teaches the song
to the monks and they sing ii as a chant.
more of a favorite with the audience BY
the time the monks take ii up they have
70 repeat IL Tor three encoreS- 1t is sung as
the baritone MacDonalds best effort the
soprano MARBLES ii in beautiful canary-like
tones. a broken-down comic tenor bur-
lesques 1t In Italian dialect. the chorus girls
convent maidens. and finally the parrot in
the yard of the monastery takes IL I'D and
gives IL a trial that is even more comical
than the effort of the barrel-voiced tailor. in
the person Of George Buckingham, who in
tentlonaly murders it. The plot of the
opera is complicated by the introduction of
q ballet dancer from the theater where the
serenade song first won Dolores. This dan
Ger affords prima donna role for Alice
Nielsen and also gives her as many changes
of costume as Mrs. Davis has. Each change
means a new song for Miss Nielsen, in sew
eral of which she shows her perfect right TO
the first soprano role In fact, she
became one OF the distinct hits of the opera
Eugene COwles furnishes two OF the best
basso efforts he has ever given and adds no
little to the comedy movement, especially
in the second act. during the very taking
"Cherehez la Femme" song and chorus for
Barnabee In which the great comedian
ali sorrow. Barnabee Is especially favored
by the composer, one of the most popular
songs OF the production coming near the
close or the last act. entitled Dreaming ="
whete he is assisted by Miss Nielsen and
Frctpingham, each being called for an ems
core. Without mistake The Serenade"