The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-31
" THE BRIDE ELECT"
IL Was Given an Ovation by "A Large
Audience,

Audience.
Perhaps the largest and most repre-
sentative audience OF the season wit
messed the production of Mr.. John Philip
Sousa's opera. The Bride Elect" At the
Academy asst night Among the audience
We're many society people. most Of whom
We're boz evening dress
The opera is unique. II is beautifully
dressed and there are many cOmely girls
in the chorus. The costumes are fresh
and becoming and the calcium effects
We'll managed.
j.. the book Mr. Sousa has thrown a
great deal ~ grotesque humor. and some
OF the modern fOibles are held up TO r!di-
cule in clever way. There Il little
plot Careiessly worked out, o. course, ana
the object of the author TO appeal 10 one &
appreciation Of the iidlculOus mas been
realized On a truly successful way.
But 20 the music. il Is original There
IS ~ times "a suggestion OF sadness, and
again a Sprlghtly, inspiring little song
lghtens up the theme ana appeals 10
ones f0ndness for merriment There are
several airs which are full Of melody ana
sentiment alike, and az least one OF the
marches is fun Of inspiration.
The chorus b. strong and well-balanced
II is made up OF about sixty voices. MT
Albert Hart, as RapagOllO NIL, the III
fatcd victim of the plot, proved source
of much merriment. He IS n rolicsome,
extrayagaut comedian, with a true spirit
Of FUN in hts methods He kept the audi
eUce ln q hearty laugh through a large
part Oi the performance.
Mr. Wesley tombstone. as SARDINIA. a
sailor did his role We'll. and Mr.. Charles
H. Drew did the part OF F'riscabaldi with
much finish. His singing was well re-
cei-ed
Niles Hnda Clarke made a pretty and
picturesque Ia Pastoreila. Her stage
presence Us greatly In her favor. and she
SIMS with the old-time sweetness and
strong dramatic power as when she was
seen here I'm two of DeKOvens operas.
Last night was The first time she has
appeared in the company for five weeks
having Just recovered from an attack Of
pneumonia. Miss Mabella Baker sang
very well I'm the role of Biana. Queen OF
Capri. and Miss Christie Macdonald made
a fascinating Princess of Capri. She sang
A lullaby with remarkable tenderness and
sympathy. and her acting was clever TO
saw the least. In the last topical song
She was enc0rcd half a dozen times.
The other members Of the cast gave the
company strong support and the whole
was well-balanced and skllfully produced.
The audience received II with strong evil
dences 81 approval.
The oDera will re repeated az the NATL
nce this afternoon and tonight. Miss
Alice Campbell. the other prina donna OF
the company Will sing tonight.
Mr.. Herbert Kelley and MISS Eine
shannon
morrow night and Thursday matinee and
night as co-stars. They have won a
great success in clyde Fitch's new
comedy drama. THE Moth and the
Flame" Mr. Fitchs play is built on pow
erful novel lines. and tells with exceeding
skill q story of modern society life
whose interest is magnlhcently sustained
from The beginning 10 the fnal fan Of the
curtain. Particular stress might. per-
haps. he laid on the fact that the author
has so cleverly yelled the denouement
and so manages 10 hold the wrapt atten-
tion OF the audience until the very end
The company supporting the stars IL
rot only large IN numbers. but includes
joseph f. Whiting. Edward See, David
Terrence. Charles Steadman Grace
Reals. Isabel Waldron. Ethel Kingston.
Winona shannon and MANY other not7b'e
PLAYERS The comedy will be handsomely
mounted upon the stage.