Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-31
4 SPLENDID Production.
sousa's Opera, "The Bridc-hieo''
Was Well Sung Last Night.

| s'The f.ride-Elect,' Sousa's hlucH-"''-
aided opera. was produced at the Acaoe-
my last night on magnificent scale ana
before the most brilliant audience OF the
season.
"As a spectacle. the opera was an I'M
qualified success. IT was superbly stageh
and mounted and the chorus was one o.
the largest that has been upon the boards
Of tho Academy for some time. While the
hook contains little that IS really bright
or witty. vet the music IS in Sousa's hap
niest vein. and is characterized by the
| eprited movement which enters so large
! Nv into the compositions of the March
King" The climax in the second act was
somewhat disappointing 70 those who eX-
pected the curtain TO fall on scene. IN
which the voices of the singers were al
most drowned by the sonorous tones OF
instruments OF brass. for no band APP
peared. and the finale was, therefore, NOT
received with the enthusiasm 1t might
have been.
rbe entire company was an excellent
one. and each member did his best TO
make up. in individual effort, for the
shortcomings Of the llbrettist Albert
Hart as King OF the Timberio. was the
handspring 10 ell the fun that was going
around, but he allowed himself many
liberties. I'm order 10 cause n laugh. Miss
Hilda Clarke deserves unstinted praise
for her work. for she has just recovered
from severe attack OF pneumonia and
last night was the first time she has sung
in five weeks. Considering this. she rem
dercd Ia Pastorella I'm splendid voice,
and bore herself throughout the entire
performance remarkably well. = Christie
no urf
in an entirely acceptable manner. The
chorus was well trained and did efficient
work
it is n pity that with a company so
strong IN all respects the work of the
librettlst and composer should have
been marred in vain efforts at
immaterial Improvements. 1t was bad
enough TO have the mediocre work
Of the lbrettist detracted from by
the minstrel-theatre-cO gags OF
tho comedians; but it was agoniz-
ing 20 the lovers of music 20 have me
spirited and clever composition Of Sousa
sacrificed to a hurdy-gurdy electric-hght
accompaniment for the sake OF stage
effect. This. however, Mr. Leath eX-
planned was due 60 the service furnished
bv the electric company. SO strong an
organization deserves better management.
Last night was the record-breaker in
the history OF the Bijou Family Theatre.
Half an hour before the curtain went up
there was not q seat unoccupied in the
house. and the standing room only
sign had 20 be displayed The result was
that quite number of people were turn
ed away The fourth weeks bill IS an
excellent one and Is quite varied.
Stanley and Jackson, in their very
amusing sketch, after the Ball. were
decidedly the hit of the bin. Miss jack
sons clever singing and Mr.. Stanley's i'm
both "made good" Good
rich and Mcbride. character change ar
lists. made a favorable impression, IS
did Misses Folk and Fowler in their re-
spective turns. Edna and Morine are
wonderful jugglers and equilibrists, and
perform some startling tricks. Al Law
son, comedy bicyclst, IS pleasing and
Miss Frances Mamon, in her artistic bag
punching act, scored a hit.
The vitagraph presented the "bull fight
and many other new moving pictures that
were well received. AS a whole. the bill
was In keeping with the Bijou standard |
of refinement and high-class entertain
ment The usual ladies' and children's |
matinee will take place to-day.