The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26

Jefferson De Angels is so thoroughly
unique in his style that he is easily
different ated. not only from the mass
Ct American players, but from the Sc
lect group of leading comic opera come
dams, among whom he ranks and with
whom he is generally associated by
the theatergo ding public. In spite OF
the fact of his long association with
other well known comic opera stars,
he has retained his individuality com
pleteiy, and could never be mistaken
for any other personality in his own
or any other line of stage work.
jeff as he is Familiarity called at
The Lambs and other New York
clubs. is essentially a roliicking wag,
as full of prinks and pranks as the fiery
steed in the fable. Not only is he
mirth proVcking-he is himself mirth-
ful-but glee shines from his eyes and
jollity pervades every action and re-
action of his restless composition. His
new opera, expressly written and COM
posed for him by Stanislaus STANCE and
Julian Edwards, is we'll named THE
Jolly Musketeer." Jeff could be moth
Ing else but jolly, and as natural Sc
quence. the role of the registering, mad
cap sWashbuckier fits him to a nicely.
There is nothing stilted or stereotyp-
cd about this comedians mirth or the
fun he proVokes for others. He simply
sees the funny side to each situation or
climax, and manages to keep 1t in sight
from start to finish. Jeffs laugh,
which is of the heartiest kind, usually
starts in with his first entrance on the
stage and it permeates and punctuates
his efforts TO amuse to such an extent,
and SO honestly real, that 1t lnfectS
every one of his workers In the most
sympathetic and inimitable way. He
seldom does little bits of stage bust
ness twice alike, and apparently en-
Joys his own fun as much as do his
audiences or the members of his COM
pany. Jeff is jolly, and there's no deny
ing that. and as to his dancing, he is
far and away the best of the whole
bunch of comic opera comedians.
Whether it is the graceful glide of the
glamorous gaVotte, or the Whirllng
whish of the whsking waltz, Jeff is an
enthusiastic and untoucnab bic PROPOSE
ton. Jeff has not the voice of De
Rezske but withal it is an excellent
singing voice and admirably adapted
to his line of work, being strong and
forceful in the middle baritone regis
ter, and then, too, his enunciation is
SO perfect, that every word he utters
is distinctly ineligible to the farthest
listener in a big theater or auditorium
His character in the new opera, THE
jolly Musketeer," Is one thoroughly
suited to the personality and methods
of the councilman, and he is the CEN
trail figure in the quaintest and most
extravagant situations.
Richard Barker, of London, famous
as the original producer of Gilbert and
Sullivans operas on the other side of
the water, and the responsible man for
most of the important musical produc-
lions seen in this country in the last
fifteen years, came to New York city
last summer for the express purpose
of staging The Jolly Musketeer." R.
H. Burnside, formerly Of the Savoy
theater, London, and lately with the
Lillian Russell and Bostonians COM
penies gave valuable aid as Mr.. Bar
ker's assistant. Albert Krausse, long
connected with the late Anton Seidl,
and for the past three seasons the en-
ergetic assistant of Mr.. Victor Her
bert. is the musical director. Dazian,
the famous costumer of New York
city, made all of the dazzling costumes,
from sketches made by Mrs. Caroline
F. Siedle The mechanical effects were
furnished by Claude Hagen, While the
many novel properties were contrib
uted by Edward Siedle, OF the Metro
politan opera house, and last, but by
no means least is the superb scenic
environment provided by Walter w.
Burridge and Ernest eros. These men
are all leaders in their special depart
ments, and inspired as they were to
do their best work, have each rem
dered exceptionally fine service. These
results have been gathered and con-
verged with experienced artistic taste
into consonant and beautiful entire
ty, to surround and accompany de-
lightfully droll story written by Stan
islaus STANCE, with the romantic and
mirthfully melodic music of Julian Ed
wards score. The well-known princi-
pals of Mr. De Angels, excellent sing
ing company include Maud Hollins,
Bertha Waltzinger, Helena Frederick,
Edith Hendee, Harry Macdonough,
Van Rensselaer, Wheeler Winfred
Blake, Joseph Smiley and Ole Nor
man.