The record-union., 1899-05-22
A ADJUSTMENTS.

| The Wakefield Andrews Opera Com
pany opened. season at the Clunie last
| night to a fine house. The audience
was we'll pleased and manifested its
satisfaction by much sincere applause
and frequent demands for encores.
| Martha was sung, and it was given
| with taste, spirit and nice judgment.
| The soprano, Miss Walker, has a strong
clear, high soprano, lacking somewhat
! in sympathy, but a most serviceable
voice, well managed and thoroughly
schooled for light opera She was a
| pronounced favorite from the outset,
and for her Last Rose of Summer re-
ceived such applause as satisfies even
the exacting artist. She was likewise
warmly commended by the audience for
her work in the first act, in the quintet
in the last act and for the beautiful
duo with Miss Leckley in the prologue.
This latter singer is the leading con-
tralto. She has a sweet and sympa-
thetic voice, reasonably vigorous; it is
true and well cultivated, and, besides,
she is an arch actress Mr. Palmer,
the tenor is a fresh young voice, need
ing culture and refining, for it is a re-
markably fine voice, a pure high tenor
backed by sincerity The young man
is represented as singing in opera not
because he needs to, but to crafty his
taste. He certainly has a voice of
great promise; its capability was in
stantly recognized by the discriminate
ing audience last night. What Mr.
Palmer needs is training under an ex-
acting master for a time He has the
the plaudits of his hearers last night
he was compelled to sing Like a
Dream" thrice. Jay c.. Taylor is al good
baritone, his voice is well cultivated.
well managed and is aided by the art
of practiced actor. His drinking song
in the third act received a hearty en-
core. Mr. Moeller made a fair Lord
Tristan, but he is better actor than
singer. However, the part calls for but
little exhibition of musical ability The
chorus is a thoroughly good one, it
should have at least two more male
voices, however. The women are hand
some, as rule, sing with spirit and
discrimination and are we'll costumed
and the men are of good voice and
training. All in all, the company is a
most acceptable one. We have had
better light opera companies here, but
only a very few of them, and have had
many far below the grade of this one.
1t fulfills the claim made for it to the
letter. Indeed it is. much better than
was expected. 1t has one very notable
virtue, its people all enunciate we'll:
they are likewise admirably drilled ana
the prompter's voice is not once heard.
There is no hesitation or strainine in
their work. They give their perform
ance with ease and self-possession al
together refreshing. Three of the prin-
cipals were not in last nights cast Mr.
Mares basso, Miss Andrews soprano
and one other, mezzo soprano, we be-
lieve, whose name is not recalled. All
these will appear tonight in the spec
tacular and richly costumed opera by
Strauss, "A Night in Venice Every
seat in the lower part of the house is
sold for tonight, but there are plenty
OF balcony reserves left. The sale for
tomorrow and Wednesday nights. how
ever leaves many seats vacant. They
should all be taken to-day, for the sing
ing of Martha last night guarantees
enjoyable performances when Fra Di-
avolo." "Cavalleria Rusticana" and
Trial by jury are to be sung.