The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-21
SCORE A SUCCESS.
Prince Ramon Pre-
sented With Pro-
fessional Grace.
AN ARTIST IN EACH PART.
Opening Performance Shows
Principals and Chorus
Well Trained.
AN ARTIST IN EACH PART.

| Sloulu see the cast ana cnOruSeS OF
prince Ramon" at the Worcester the
atre, this week. Leaving out the fact
that the cause for which the opera is
given being deserving of every effort,
and judging only from a dramatic and
musical standard, this little play should
be seen by every one in Worcester. Ev-
cry one of the hundreds on the stage
| during the progress of the plot shows
the effect of the eXcellelt training they
have received, and each one shows, too,
the inherent artistic sentiment he pos
| sesses. The scenic effects are of the
| best ever seen in any production,
whether professional or amateur, and
the costumes are correct in every de-
| tail.
But the audience last night at the
| opening performance was not so large
as it should have been, though it was
as appreciative as possible So intense
was the interest, that almost every man
kept his seat between the acts. and the
| few who did go ont were sorry for it,
for the music be 20 IN the first and sec
ond acts was led by John Philip Sousa
in person. Among those present were
some of Worcester's best known citi-
zens, including the patronesses and
many of the chaperons, though some
OF the latter remained on the stage
| during the entire performance The
children who took part in the flower
march had seats in the balcony when
they were released from duty.
The story of the opera has been told
several times, but it is not out of place
to repeat it in brief here. The scene
is laid in Seville the most noted of
Spanish cities for beautiful women and
dashing cavaliers. Ramon, the prince
of the province of Andulusia, has been
absent in America for a number of
years, completing his studies and
learning all about foot ball and the
other things which go to make a college
education Don Miguel has been reign
ing in his stead, and decides to
keep on reigning, there being a condi-
ton in the will of the princes father
saying that Ramon shall not come tC
the throne unless he weds a lady OF
high birth before he is of age. Dor
Miguel, knowing Ramons love for Ca
milla. who is thought to be noble, but
who really turns out to be the daughter
of a shipwreoked American, thinks II
best to let the prince marry, and then
spring his s1@et when the ceremony
is over. In his conspiracy, he is as
sisted by Belthazar, his Irish minister
of police, and Sancho Pedro whose
chief duty is to be an American dude
When he makes known the fact that
the prince has broken the condition OF
the old kings will, Hiram Hatchway
an American tar, comes to the rescue
by saying that every American girl is
of noble birth. This is accepted By
the people, and the prime minister re-
| tiress~jn disgrace.
The first act shows the courtyard of
the Santa Maria inn, presided over by
Donna Isabella, Ramons nurse and
Camilla's foster mother. After the or
chestra had played the pretty overture
Which proceeds the piece and the cur
tain was raised, a little thrill went all
over the audience, for the stage was
filled with the prettiest girls in Worces-
ter and that means in Massachusetts,
all dressed as ladies of old-time Spain,
IN bright gowns and with lace man
tillas.
The opening chorus is bright and
sparkling with the sunlight of the An
dalusian vineyards, as the happy people
sing and dance under the flag draped
walls and trees. Miss Claudia Rondeau
and Miss Eva L. Dansereau were The
leaders of this chorus, and their voices
are heard to the best advantage Dom
ma Isabella is stirred by the sound of
the singing and comes from the inn to
inquire the reason. When she is told
|
hurries to decorate her house in his
honor. The girls are then succeeded
by the soldiers, under the command of
L. z. Callahan, as captain Of the
guards, A jolly drinking song is sung
in Which the captain bears the burden
and his companions make the house
ring with the chorus. The soldiers de-
part, and the Irish minister of police,
Harry P. Foley, and the American
/ 6115
pearance. Mr.. Foley sings a song in
inimitable Irish brogue, and then they
are Joined by Don Miguel and the three
have little to say about the plans the
prime minister is Matching" This trio
is full of local hits and received encore
after encore.
The first of the spectacular dances is
introduced here, when twenty little
girls, dressed as flower girls go through
maze of dainty figures and graceful
steps. The cakewalk and negro trav-
estry follow the children, and the lea
der sings James B. Mullen's latest coon
song, Mandy" Some of the costumes
in this dance are ludicrous and the
wink the fat lady gives at the end
convulses the audience.
The prince and his sailor friend make
their appearance at this point, and the
prince and Camilla meet for the first
time since his long absence. This gives
an opportunity for several beautiful
songs, and Mrs. Ada L. Harrington
and VIII A. Gray, as Camilla and the
prince respectively, were never in
better voice than when they sang the
first duet together last night. They
are both too well known as singers to
need any mention, but it is hard not
to praise them in all the words to be
found. The chorus at the final Of this
act and at the close of the last act, too
is the prettiest in the opera, and the
voices of the immense crowd on the
stage seem to be in perfect harmony
At the opening of the second act Miss
Claudia Rondeau sings a pathetic little
solo with perfect grace and expression
and coming just where it does, it has
marked effect on the hearers. A
| Spanish dance of the approved type
with senoritas and caballerros as par.
Elephants, is introduced just here, OF
rather it was last night, though there
is a suspicion that the managers have
a number of surprises for each night
during the week, and this dance may
be shifted. 1t is full of stately move
ments and is very pretty.
The dance Of the chappies and sou.
| brettes, as originally produced in the
Dixie Ministries, made a hit last night
| and it was some time before those who
| didn't know, discovered the soubrettes
| to be young men. The Red hussars
march was given with all the beauty OF
its first production in Worcester, an6
| the most difficult evolutions gone
| through without slip. The final dance
was that of the dudes and girls in di-
reetoire costumes, and then the prince
! once more makes his appearance, to.
| gether with his people. The prime min.
lister makes his disclosure regarding
| Camilla's birth, and is corroborated by
| Donna Isabella. and the final chorus is
| suns TIE ciesa of the last act is par.
! t.cu.@rly beautiful, for JUst before this