The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-07
Providence Opera House.


DeIlo .''.'''. .'..'...... ALBERT hart
Guido. Duke OF Ventroso. Geo. Lyding
FrescoDadl. l.............,.. thas. ~. Drew
Gambo.. o............... Melville Stewart
Buscato. to................ Harry Luckstone
Pietro. o....................E T.. O.. Schaefter
Sardinia, Jailer.....W Wesley Johnstone
Crespino. .......,...... William Smith
La Pastorella........ Hilda Clark
Blanca queen of Capri Mabella Baker
Minutezza, princess OF Capri, her
daughter. Christie Macdonald
Margherita. Francis Brooks
Rea. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Lola Allen
Ladena ................ marie FRANKLIN
Rosamonda. a.............. Alice CampDell
The Curate. Chas. "A. Goettler
There could be no question as TO the
mental attitude OF the large audience
that gathered in the Providence Opera
House last evening. 1t came 10 hear
Souza and ii heard him with satisfac-
tion and pleasure. The noted bandmas-
ter i'm his musical setting Of THE Bride
Elect" provided a feast of march move
ments, just what was hoped for, SO there
was no disappointment and all eXpecta-
tions were fully realized. Necessarily,
when what is expected is provided,
there can be nothing that is absolutely
novel, SO what was heard last even
ing had something OF a reminiscent
tinge. The bass drum and cynbal ac-
centuation, of which Sousa is so fond
were prominently in evidence and so
were the tapping feet and time count
ing finger movements OF the audience.
You may not like Sousa's music; you
10 NIL nf
art or no art at all, but If you come
within hearing distance Of it you are
pretty likely to forget all about your
theories and find yourself swaying with
his moving measures. This power TO
move is an unusual one and very few
POSSESS il. Evidently Sousa recognizes
it's value, for the score Of The Bride
Elect is little more than a succession
of marching tunes, but they are pleas
ing and catchy, and therefore VIII be
popular. Compared with previous works
by the same composer The Bride
Elect" may be said To be among the
best. There is nothing strikingly novel,
but there is plenty to entertain and to
amuse.
The lbretto Is less satisfactory
than the score. There is little
humor or wit i'm IL and such as
there is has the smack of labored pro-
duCttOn and is innocent OF SpOntanelty.
Sousa can write marches, but he would
do well to engage some competent Ii
brettist 10 aid him in his future out
put.
The company presenting THE Bride
Elect" Is remarkably competent. Sell
dom i'm a comic opera have so many
good singers been engaged in presen-
tation. Even the chief comedian can
sing. which in itself is something of
novelty. Mr.. Hart is funny al certain
stages of his work, but not always. He
is too insstent. and he gives the i'm
preston of working too hard To amuse
TO be entirely satisfactory. Were he
more unctious and less labored his ef-
forts would deserve and receive better
appreciation. Mr.. Lyding and Mr..
Drew did capital work in the parts as
signed them.
Miss Hilda Clark sang with much
spirit and considerable finish, and i'm
other respects filled the role of Pasto-
rella charmingly. Miss Macdonald.
pretty and piquant gave demure and
enjoyable rendering OF the part of Min
utezza. Though not possessing a voice
OF great power she has one of good
quality which she uses with excellent
effect The chorus is one of the best
heard here in a long time, while the