The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-17

CASTOR Observation-Disclosures. ole Norman
Didot Blanc. Harry McDonough
nNetie. f.................. Maud Hoilins
NerNe. .........,..... Bertha WaltzingPr
Jacqueline... Helena Frederick
Marie. e......................Ed Edith Hendcr
The large audience that braved a
drenching from the heavy downpour
to reach the Providence opera House
last evening had an unusual pleasure
that OF listening 10 a comic opera with
"A plot. The latter-day comic opera is
generally as devoid Of plot as a billiard
ball is'of bumps. III Is merely clever
excuse for the parading and posing OF
shapely women i'm gorgeous gowns, and
the clowning OF comedians whose idea
Of real comedy is vague and vaporous.
Probably that was the sort OF comic
opera the audience that filled the the
atre last evening expected to see; but
IL didn't, and the disappointment must
have been "A pleasing one. Instead IL
saw what might be called a romantic
opera, with conventional comic opera
attributes. The central idea OF THE
Jolly Musketeer" is certainly romantic.
readiness to marry the sweetheart of
his friend in order TO raise her To "a
station that will be acceptable To that
friends obdurate parent. is romantic
even To the Dumas standard Posi-
bly, this theme could have been more
effectively developed than IL has been
I'm THE Jolly Musketeer," but even
though the librettist. Mr.. Stanislaus
STANCE. has contented himself with
mere suggestion. he must be credited
with having contributed something new
and entertaining and something that is
above the dead level of contemporary
comic opera stories. He is neither
humorist nor a wit but his lines are
bright and entertaining, and what they
lack i'm JUNCTION IL atoned for i'm crisp
ness. Julian Edwards. who has fur
nished the musical setting, has written
brightly throughout, and i'm some in
stances provided measures that are far
above the average OF light opera scor-
ing. Particularly pleasing are the choral
numbers, and they have the dash and
swing that one would expect as the
accompaniment of u swashbuckling
spectacle. In his o'chestration Mr. Ed
wards is particularly happy. and i'm
this respect his work deserves high
! commendation.
Mr.. De Angels, as the Count de
Beaupret, is provided with a role that
numbers as are allotted TO him he rem
ders very pleasingly. while his album
dance of grotesquery i'm action. facial
expression and pedal performance eX-
cites the resiblities. He may not be a
finished comedian. but he is one who
amuses always. and that is praise that
cannot be bestowed on many others
who pretend to amuse the public in
similar roles. Miss Hollins is charm
ing in her pink and white personality
and sings acceptably. while Miss
Waltznger proves herself easily the
best vocalist among the ladies OF the
cast Mr.. Wheeler sings with express
sion. acts with grace and is pic
turesque Francois. while Mr.. Nc
| Donough is almost as amusing as Mr..
| DE Angels in his presentation of Didot
| Blanc. THE Jolly Musketeer" is
sumptuously staged, and presents ka-
leidoscopic pictures that will linger
! long i'm memory for their grace and
! artistic quality. The piece will be pre-
sented during the remainder of the
week