Evening star., 1898-10-18
AMUSEMENTs.

The presentation of Carmen by the In
ternational Opera Company at the La
fayete Square Opera House last night
should have been greeted by an audience
of larger proportions. 1t would have been
highly creditable to an older and more ex-
perienced organization, and in the hands of
enc so new the difficult work of Bizet was
rendered in a manner that displayed earn
est and conscientious fidelity both to music
and to plot. Madame Selma Kronold scored
distinctive triumph as Carmen. Her clear
voice was fully equal TO the heavy demands
Upon 1t and her conception of her character
and her depletion of the various moods and
mannerlsms of the wayward hoyden were
both artistic. Mr. George Mitchell gave a
surprisingly good rendition. of Don Jose.
He has given the character evidently much
faithful study and he successfully met it's
requirements as they came. each succeeding
one more rigorous than the other. until in
the tragic climax of the fourth act he ex-
ceedcd even the expectations of those who
Know his powers best. Winfred Golf was
the toreador and his fine baritone voice
was heard to advantage. He did not dis
play the fire and vigor of a Campanari or a
Del Puente, but he avoided the tendency
TO overact, which is fault of many who
nave been seen in the part. Miss Morri-
sons Michaela displayed small voice, but
one that was well trained. and her interpre-
tatio1 of the part was fairly good. Miss
f1elds was a creditable Mercedes. There
were three Washingtonians in the cast
who excited local interest These were
Messrs. Carr and Gunson and Miss Mary
Helen Howe. None had large part but
all acquitted themselves in good FORM
MessrS. Carr and Gunson will figure more
prominently in other operas. Mis- Howe
i1ade the role of Frasquita stand out
more prominently than is usual and showed
a soprano voice of good quality and un-
usual ciearness and range. 1t was heard
TO advantage in the quintet in the second
In 1n LirI II,
the way, the quintet was better sung than
1t has ever been heard here before, The
chorus is large, well balanced as to voices
ana sings In good style and with abundant
volume The ensemble work all through
the opera was unusually good. The opera
was spiendidiy mounted, the costumes be-
ing rich in color and material and the
scenery effective. The orchestra is one Of
pest that mas been heard here. 1t is larger
ana more effective than that brought by
Abbey, Schoeffel and Grau during the Mel
ga ehgagement, and it played with excel
tent precision, Signor Sapo, the conductor,
having his force under good control
Tonight Lucia" Will be sung with Glenn
entlne DeNere in the title role. supported
by Messrs. Panbianchi, Dado, Bellati and
Gunson.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Stam with
metropolitan approval-an approval it is
indeed sad to relate is seldom given nova
days except to the most risque or sugses-
tive plays and productions-provincial
washington was last night given its first
taste of that decidedly Frenchy broadness
IN the drama which seems to be on the
flood tide III this country. Paul Potter's
The Conqucrors." much-talked of and
given the name of Frohman-a play bear
Ing which We usually accept with nothing
but pralse-Was witnessed with suspicion
ana tensity of apprehension by a large
audlence at the National. Upon the prin-
clple that to succeed a play must have the
approval of the surfeited New Workers. af-
mcted for the most part with ennui and
apathy, and that the only recommended
'lon to the New Yorker is daring limit
or morality. the DlayWrights are now con-
structing their pieces a scale as I'M
moral as possible, and ''The Conquerors' is
shining exponent of this school of the
latterday theater.
In spite of the boldness of the theme
the play was wei presented in every
detail, the Characters were portrayed in
such magnificent fashion, that unstinted
applause comminged with a tiny feeling
of horror at the close of each scene The
ante-cimaxes are heartrending throughout
leading one to prepare for a shocking cu.-
tain scene. But just here the playwright
lets down disastrously, and while the eli
max proper may be commendable because
OF the re!enting of one of the most inter
esting characters. 1t Is not compatible with
the preceding words and actions. No les
son or moral is taught and the purpose of
the playwright in taking the liberties al
Is unexplained and therefore ineXcusd bic
People will go to see The Conquer ors"
because the people liked to be thrilled and
feel that they are tasting the forbidden.
No che with proper quota of self-respect,
however, cares to see it twice.
Mr.. FrChman has placed his best talent
In The Conquerors,' for he knows that
otherwise it would not be tolerated for an
instant One cannot help but admire the
fine portrayal of Objectionable characters
given by the members OF the Empire Thea
ter Stock Company, an organization always
held by Washington playgoers in the high
est esteem. but the object of casting such
admired artists in a vehicle of the sta MP
OF Mr.. Potter's play cannot be attributed
TO any desire on the part Of Mr.. Frohman
to elevate the stage. but rather to profit
by the sensation THE Conuuerors'' creates
wherever produced.
The play deals with a band of conquer
ing Prussians, who have invaded the prov
inces of France and have taken up quar-
ters in a castle where two young girls have
been left by their brother in the care of
an old able. The young officers open the
play with a rather disgusting dinner party
scene, for which they have imported
quintet of dancing girls from the village
The conclusion of the scene is stacy and
dramatic, for the Grandpre girls whose
castle is being thus desecrated appeal and
protest. YVonne, feeling herself insuted
dashes a glass of wine in Eric Won Ro-
decks face. and the latter swears ven
women are ours, you shall be mine" he
shouts. The scenes that follow may hap
pen in real life, perhaps, but they are incl
dents in our worldly career we do not care
to have before US all the time and should
not be on the stage. by any means.
1T is difficult to say aught but praise of
the company. William FaVersham, as the
reckless devil-may care Eric, portrays in
the best possible manner character that
is admired at first for its audacity, but is
weakened later by a sudden change from
vice to virtue, the example being COM
pletely lost. Miss Mllward as Yvonne
whose love for the man supposed to have
wrorged her is so great that even before
he proves himself innocent she is ready to
sacrifice her brothers lie for this Eric's
preservation, makes the part more than the
character given it by the playwright de-
serves There are a host of others whose
humor ard brightness lend much attract
tveness to the play and make parts Of it
so enjoyable that we forget the shadier
sides for the nonce and are entertained
Eleanor Moretti carries out the strong
character of Jeanne Marie, the wife Of
Bobesh, and receives much merted ap-
plause. The others in the cast. all of
whom deserve especial mention. are e. Y
Backus, Joseph Wheelock, jr., Guy Stand
ing. George Osbourne, jr., John Armstrong,
Frank Brownlee, Jessie Busley, May Rob-