The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-23
THINGS THEATRICAL.

The difference between nine and twenty
three-this was the number of encores to
| which the obliging John Philip Sousa and
his ready band responded last night at the
Lafayette Square Opera House. After
making such a statement it is hardly
necessary to remark that a large audience
attended the concert and that every MEM
Der of the gathering seemed greatly pl sas-
ed. Delighting even the most queru.eus
of assemblies has become so much the US
ual thing with the great conductor that
he invariably arranges his Cassie p o.
grammes 10 the length OF about half an
hour in order that there may be plenty
OF time left for numbers that are not on
the list"
If there was no need of describing the
pleasure of those present there can be
none for saying that Mr.. Sousa and his
admirable organization were in the best
of form. The spirit and temperament
given TO each of the selections showed
cleared the individual ability of every
man in the semicircle and left 10 room
for doubt that he was playing with the
. same feeling and care that would have
been exercised had his contribution been
a solo. \ perfect balancing of the body
and the skilled training it has received re-
feet harmony and time. while the mag
| nificent manner in which they responded
to the magnetic baton of the March
King spoke volumes for the control taat
| director has over his subordinates.
The programme given last evening was
not as happy as it might have been, most
| of the matter rendered being either pom
derous or exceptionally light. The popu-
| lar classics of the day-work of masters
EKh pi1t cd t,ttSz vcaIl o1
most totally lacking. Mascagni. Verdi.
| Bale. Gounod, Rossini, OTenbach, and
! Wagner had no representation on the bill.
| Instead the orchestra was first baited with
/ Luigini's new ballet suite, Egyptian" a
weighty unmelodious composition, which
was followed closely by the giving of
! Boito's The Night OF Saba" from Me
/ fistOfeie." Then the gallery received its
( portion of the entertainment in a fantas-
/ tic version of "A Hot Time in Old Town, -
! at Georgia Campmeeting. and She
/ Was Bred in Old Kentucky. Meanwhile
( those in the dress circle Joined with both
| sides in longing for something from
/ "Cavalleria Rusticana'' or William Tell
/ or Carmen"
| That this desire was unanimous was
/ proven b. the enthusiasm that followed
! the contribution of the more pleasing Sc
! lections Suppcs charming overture
Paragraph III" was beautifully played
and so heartily taken that three encores
/ were demanded. Four characteristic a.
! two OF them by Mr.. Sousa-evoked the
same applause, while the STARS and
/ Stripes Forever Ell Captain" THE
Bride Elect and the "Charlatan" all
! proved incentives TO tumultuous appro-
/ val. The last march was repeated
i three times before the crowd would be
satisfied.
! a trio Of soloists was mentioned on the
biIl-Maude Reese Davies. Herbert l..
{ Clarke and Dorothy Hoyle. OF these Miss
! on the violin creating a mild sensation.
The clever little woman is an artist to the
/ tips OF her fingers. Her bowling and finger
/ ing are both marvellous. her touch is so
! confident and accurate that the finest notes
/ are brought out with surety and vigor and
! her entire performance is nothing less than
wonderful. Miss Hoyle's selections both
/ OF which were calculated TO exhibit her
/ skill, were the Romance Sans Paroles, -
! by Wieniawski, and a very like number
! Miss Dayies's voice is sweet if rather
weak. aud her two Sousa melodies-"Will
| You Love When the Lilies Are Dead" and
| Snow Baby'-both pleased Mr.. Clarke
/ rendered GOdfreys ''Whirlwind Polka" ad-
mraby on the cornet
The entire concert was a most enjoyable
/ one, and Was thoroughly appreciated. No
! city in American extends a heartier wei
come to the March King than does
! Washington, and last nights performance
proved him truly worthy of the confidence
| felt in him here