The record-union., 1898-02-05
ADJUSTMENTS.

Navoni's comic opera, "Lydas
Dream" adapted and revised by c. r.
Stickney of this city, was produced at
the Metropolitan Theater last evening
for the benefit Of the Foundlings' Home.
The audience was not so large by half
as il should have been, the charity 20
be benefited and the generosity of the
amateurs volunteering being considered.
Agreeable surprise resulted from the
work of the people on the stage. From
the amateur standpoint they did better
than expected, for it was a heavy I'M
neutrality-suspicious. invariably essay
such tasks. Miss Gore. as the principal,
LYDIA, sang in a true, sweet soprano.
She did not find the volume of her voice
at command, but her effort was very
creditable and suggested that the young
woman's vocal capacity is greater than
was last evening manifested. Mr.. .Ow-
ems, the well-known tenor, was in good
voice, selfpossessed and sang with
marked feeling and tenderness. Mrs r.
NJ. Jones contralto-a good voice-was
quite equal to the part vocally and in
one solo was notable. Mr.. Lothham-
mer's bass was heard with good effect
A quartet by the four at the close OF
the first act was notably good, well
sung and melOdious-a gem of the piece
Mr.. Owens serenade was another not
able good work and won a deserved en-
core. The low comedy work fell upon
Miss Blanche Ficks and Mr. Peterson
They rather surprised the audience,
throwing life and vivacity in ample Ge-
gree into the parts and fearing neither
the audience nor distressing their
voices-indeed, both have strong COM
edy quality. Mr. Burners Baron" was
without special features, though well
read. The opera is not strong in color;
a very pretty thing, with some charm
ing airs. but with no such vigor, or light
or shade as to give it long life, or Xix
its memory deeply upon the auditors
Its presentation by a troupe of trained
professional singers would possibly de-
velop greater beauties and more Of
strength and color. Assuredly, how
ever, it is not brilliant, though very
pleasing. One cannot say that it leaves
any regrets, nor that it makes a pro-
| found impression. The chorus last nigh.
was good, but was stronger on the wo-
mems side. 1t was weak in bassos and
feeble in tenors. But it was discover
able that the chorus scores are the bet
iti NciiipoSiilti1S vi tie dulHOT. Out
this is to be said, though the opera is
not strong nor distinct in it's color there
is about it all a tenderness of melody,
sweetness of expression and an origin
atty that makes the auditor wish sin
cerely to hear ii in the mouths of oro-
fessionals. For instance. a very charm
ing trio in the second act. by Mr.. 10th
hammer Mrs. Jones and Miss Gore.
yond those the singers developed,
though it won them deserved applause.
The orchestration under the direction
of Mr.. Holbrook was excellent. 1t vas
a strong. well-balanced orchestra Re
led. and gave to lovers Of good music
pleasure such are capable of feeling
Its support of Miss Gore in the second
act in a solo she sang with much feel
ing and intelligent taste, was a gem CT
orchestral work-a model. There was
good stage direction by Mr.. Watson,
and evidence of severe drill by him
Mr.. Stickney is to be congratulated on
his work in adapting the opera. His
intelligence of the requirements was
plainly manifest. Between acts Pearl
Baldwin gave good exhibition of fine
club swinging, Miss Ficks and Mr.
Peterson a clever character act and
song, ard Messrs Goepel and Strobel a
superior gymnastic act
If the benefit did not prove none
tary plum for the Foundlings' Home, it
testified TO the kindness and pubic
spirit of the young men and women
who volunteered to sing and act the
opera. and of the members eff the or
chestra who gave their services for The
ocea sion