The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-12

xu,o eowosa 90. Nsv yoex

80
spsa CO., NEW yoax.
Shall Be Ever of Thee, Miss Far
rington, who had but a posing part IN
the opera, was given opportunity to
prove her versatility in coon songs.
and the chorus was four times recalled
in the new Lou LOU" with Mr.. Felch
In the solo part Misses Myers and
Darlington were notably happy in the
duo, Il Love My Love So Well IN
the comic trio, Kentucky Babe" the
Interpolation won five recalls, in the
midst Of which Felch the inimitable
un-maker, an original with none like
him, 'broke up" Miss Darlington and
Mr.. Broderick with his grave merri-
ment,' so that they had to give over
the song and join in the mirth, while
the audience, approaching the situa-
ton, fairly shouted with laughter. 1t
is not often that such a scene is wit
messed in any performance. The "Yacht
and Brig Madrigap' was the best sung
chorus, and of the true airs Of the
opera Miss Carrington's Sob Song
and ''The Convent Slept" were the
gems of the evening. The audience was
very warm in its expressions of APP
proval and many people at the close of
the opera sought out Mr. Grau to ex-
press their satisfaction with his COM
pany. Tonight for the first time in
this city the comic opera "Falka." No
opera of that order ever had such a run
as "Falka" enjoyed when first produced
in New York in 1856, when it was
sung to crowded houses for 400 sue
cessive nights. 1t is full of pretty mu-
sic, and one waltz air running all
through it is very catchy, and ten
years ago was sung almost everywhere.
1t is an exceedingly merry opera and
sparkles with wit. It gives the low
comedian the best opportunity of any
comic opera known to the public. 1t
is in three acts, the HbrettO by NM.
Leterrier and Vanloo, the English
version being by H. B. Farnie and the
music by F. Chassaigne. The story, in
brief, is that Of a Hungarian military
Governor, promised a patent of mobility
if he can show an heir on whom the
succession can be settled. Himself
childless, he places his hopes upon
Tancred, his nephew, and Falka, his
niece. On the way to meet his uncle
Tancred is seized by Jzigan bandit,
but is rescued by Edwige, sister of the
chief bandit, on condition that he will
marry her. He promises, but discover
ing her identity flies to his uncle's
town, pursued by his bride in pitchy
darkness, her only guides being his
voice, certain words he uses and a
packet he loses. From the latter the
pursuers discover who he Is. To out
wit them the youth evades his uncies
castle. Meanwhile Falka elopes from
hor cfn AMI
to the place where the uncle expects
his nephew, to which spot a friar,
keeper of the convent gate, tracks
them. Falka assumes male attire and
imposes herself upon her uncle as her
brother Tancred. The friar, suspecting
the change, captures the student for
Falka, while the robber bride of Tan
cred, meeting Falka and her uncle. con-
cludes that she has Tancred before
her. The student lover to save Talka
from exposure is silent, and the friar
marches him off, compelling him to as
sumo the convent garb, while the real
Falka, posing as Tancred, is taken to
the castle to be espoused to Wexina,
chosen to be Tancred's bride by the
Emperor. Of course Falka's cheat is
discovered, but her attempt to right
matters is involved by Tancred, who,
disguised as a footman, puts in an APP
pearance to watch over his own inter-
ests, little suspecting the young per-
son in a. HuSSar uniform to be his own
sister He is likewise in fear of the
pursuing Edwige, whose bandit brother
challenges the unhappily disgraced
| Falka to combat. She thereupon con-
fesses her sex to Edwige, and then
the search for the real Tancred be-
gins anew. Out of this situation grow
complications leading to bridals, in
which the brides change places, and
Tancred is at last secured to keep his
pledge to Edwige, while Falka's wit
and daring win her favor and the par
don of her student lover, and she thus
| becomes the heir upon whom the sue
cession in the female line may settle.
The one unlucky person in the lot is
the cowardly Tancred.
| Manager Ficks has engaged for Sun
day night at the opera house the
prodigy, Gervine Helmont the boy vio-
] linist, of whom Divide Musin wrote in
| September last: He is not only a
genius. but an artist, and a wonder. 7
predict great future for him." The
lad is but ii years old, and comes of
|
supported in his concert by Miss Grace
| Preston, contralto, and Miss Ida Sim
mons, pianiste. The Portland (Or.)
Times of December 31st said that
| this lad differs from other prodigies. in
that no concessions are asked in judg-
| ment of him, since he plays on merit
alone. His tone is pure and sympa-
thetic, his execution clean cut, his
manner refined" The prophecy is
added that he will become one of the
master violinists of the world. The
Detroit Free Press of November 9th
said of this young genius: "JudS-
ing by the ordinary standards applied
ito natures artists, Helmont's ability
would be unusual; considering his age,
it is nothing short of marvellous. His
dexterity with finger and bow may be
taken for granted. Other prodigies have
this, though few in equal degree. But
the distinguishing feature of his play
ing is his tone, big free and with the
searching quality that can come only
from a player to whom music means
much. This it is which sets him apart