The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-12

Victor Herbert's opera of THE Sere-
made" is a prime favorite in Salt Lake,
and the audience last night was bent
on receiving twice its moneys worth
at least those who paid premiums on
| their seats were trying to get even.
! Almost every number the entire even
ing through was encored, and encored
until stanzas and patience alike were
exhausted. It is a wonder that the
nuisance is not stopped by the simple
method of disregarding any but a gen.
uine and persistent demand for a re-
petition. Last night the slightest show
of appreciation served to bring forth
an encore. 1t must be as wearisome to
! the singers as to the majority of hear
ers. and draws out the opera to length
which detracts from its good effect.
THE Serenade" is an opera of much
lighter calibre than Rob Roy" and
perhaps it is for this reason that il is
more popular with the average audi
ence 1t abounds in catchy choruses
and lyrics, but it lacks the more beauti-
full and artistic ballads of Rob Roy
The libretto is comic opera inSpira-
ton inasmuch as 1t presents opportunl-
ties for new and charming situations.
| The aStery-convent scene is a, cap
ital idea-for a comic opera, and is adj
mirably carried out by the chorus of
The chorus of the Bostonians is one IF
its most attractive features-each inoi
vidual member acts as though the
whole success of the performance de-
pended on him. The great disappoint-
ment of the performance last night was
the fact that Mr.. Barnabee was unable
to appear. By the advice of the physi-
clan he was advised to rest completely,
that he might do his inimitable Sheriff
of Nottingham in Robin Hood" to-
night. The manager of the company
said: The disappointment of the au-
dience is nothing to what he himself
suffers. for there is no more miserable
man in town tonight than Henry Clay
Barnabee.'
Mr. Norman Crompton had the
thankless task of appearing in his stead
and attempting to throw out this ice of
disappointment. And it is pleasant to
record that his attempt was most SUI
cessful After he had been on the stage
five minutes the audience was kindly
disposed toward him, and he Was we'll
received all through Mr.. Crompton
is worthy of a good place in the COM
pany. He has a pleasing voice and an
ample sense of humor.
Macdonald was improved in Voice
last night and was a daShing Alvarado,
although his words We're still lost to
the listeners Broderick was excellent
as Romero and sang the Car
bine Song in a way which
created positive enthusiasm. Peo-
pie will continue to regret
Cowles and it is true that his deDar-
ture left a gap which is noticeable. but
if one puts the memory of that round,
resonant voice of his out of mind, he
may find a satisfactory successor in
Broderick, who makes a fine appear
ance, and acts with dash.
Il II
or, but has a pleasing light voice, and
would do we'll to leave out falsetto
frills. George rockingham is very
happy as Gomez, the tailor, and FitZ-
gerald has a choice bit as the worn
out tenor Jessie Bartlett Davis is thor
oughly charming as Dolores, and pre-
sents an excellent picture of the in
corrigible fiirt She never disappolnts
vocally, either, although she has not
the opportunities in THE Serenade'
that are afforded her in Rob Roy"
and Robin Hood" Helen Bertram fell
below Alice Nelson as Yvonne, but
withaI was pretty and pleasing and
spirited acress. She had tendency
TO wear her voice out early in the even
ing. and il became somewhat breathy.
The opera of THE Serenade" might be
called one of dazzling brightness, and
the ensembles are of the most spirited
description.
AS it is done by the Bostonians it
cannot fail to please wherever it is
heard. 1t will be repeated tomorrow
night.
The management of the Theatre has
decided to change the Saturday matt
nee bill to robin Hood as there was
more of a demand for seats for this
opera than could possibly be supplied
in one performance This most popular
of all light operas will be done tonight.
with Mr. Barnabee in his famous role
of the sheriff.
O. @ O.
The subscribers to the Orpheus club
were on hand at the cable
Piano company very early yesterday
to obtain seats for the concert
with the Kneisel quartette next Friday
evening.