The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-03
NENTIOT DR.. A. e. BUCHANAN
DuNAAOA 1888 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.
English,s-aFansf.v


If, as is generally supposed, it takes so
ciety to make grand opera, then Indianapo-
lis must be without society or without taste
for grand opera. Perhaps the new winter
opera cloaks have not yet arrived, or may
hap all the woman tailors are indisposed or
their children have the Group. In such a
case not even grand opera could expect a.
visit from society. Whatever the reason,
the crowd was poor in numbers that well
coined the International Grand Opera Com
pany to English's last night for the opening
performance of the brief season which has
been so well advertised during the past
three weeks. Faust ia certainly out-of-
date italian opera, with all it's pristine
musical beauties, according to the Wagner
ties, but grand opera of any sort is a rarity
in indianapolis, and is none of it out of date
The managers are not to be scored for sup
posing music lovers might desire to hear
work.
In some respects 1t was a. most excellent
performance and in some it was great. The
orchestra was nicely balanced with the
company OF singers, and in that company
there was not harsh voice nor a repel-
lant musical break to be noticed Signor
Sapio has the company trained so that the
ensemble seems as artistic as when opera is
given In the larger cities, while the princi-
pals are OF such commanding rank as ia
leave no room FOR adverse judgment on tho
cast. Nine. De We're has been heard here
before, but never under such ,fayorable
surroundings. IL any one can say wherein
DE we're is not as good vocalist as Nellie
Media now is the time to speak, while she
is in the city and her friends are here 10
argue the question. Her Marguerite comes
very near being ideal in voice and its his
tr1onic merit is not far behind. De We're
lacks abandon, perhaps but such lyric
beauty as that displayed last night in the
Jewel song is triumph for any artist Her
M Is oil
Iul, with never culver nor a false sound
wave Nor does De We're lack in magnetism
but this is quality largely OF suggestion
anu IS never believed in by the public I'M
Ill all have heard II is there, when behold
every one instantly discovers it. That is the
Trick that makes grand opera stars. The
difference between 81, 500 and the S3OO-a-night
song birds is often only a trick The pub
lie alone is responsible for placing the song
them until it is nicely bilked for its own
stupidity. De We're being an American can
hardly hope TO be accepted in this country
as Melba or Patti were.
Alongside of De We're last night appeared
new tenor, unfortunately also American
but his very presence suggested love songs
and mis- youthful and fresh voice came as a
breath Of spring after a dreary win
ter. George Mitchell is not yet a sensa-
tional tenor; there is more effort at sensa-
tiOnaltsm in the Italian Bellati, who was the
Valentine. but MitchelIs voice is plainly
young and meaty, with possibilities. Signor
DadoS MephiSto was Well sung and acted
Signor Dado's pure basso is limited in
range. and the defect is frequently cleverlv
disguised Louise Engle's Martha is almost
colorless and only fair vocally. Miss Broad
foot was the Siebel and her mezzo soprano
Is colorfu and limnid.
The audience was generous in its applause
honofns the singers with frequent chaste
encores and generally at the right time
Al the matinee to-day De We're will be
heard as Juliet and George Mitchell should
make an excellent Romeo. He looks IL ana
has the voice. The largest list of principals
TO be heard here will take part in Romeo
and Juliet" Tonight Selam Kronold will
Sc heard in Carmen"