Kansas City journal., 1899-03-10
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.


Contc.-Jererson dc Angels. in The Jolly Mug
keteer.'' p. m.
Grand-Symphony orchestra. 3:+5 p H.; ion
Yonson.'' Sis 2. n.
AudiiOrium-''A Social Highwayman." Sis .. m.
Orpheum-Liil:an Burkhart and other vaudeville
features. Sis p. m.
CilIiss-''Under the Dome Sis p. m.
COMING NEXT WEEK.
Conte.-second half of week. Dewols Hopper. In
The Charlatan-''
Grand-All week. "Gsycst Manhattan
OrDhe um-All week, vaudeville.
Auditorium-An week. An the Comforts Oh
Home"
l:illjxs-All week. The Prisoner Of AlgierS"
If "The Jolly Muskereer' is not the best
fruit of the Julian Edwards and Stanislaus
STANCE collaboration. IL Is at least the best
opera of this joint authorship yet present.
ed here. MIR. Edwards has written Il fne
score. which ranges from several choruses
approaching The heights OF grand opera 10
the lighteSt jinSleS Imaginable. IL seems
clearer than ever before that this gifted
composer revels most in what the public
enjoys least. lie has revealed genuine en-
eSty in the scoring of the heavier choruseS.
some of the solos and most Of the concerted
numbers. and has betrayed either indincr-
ence or inudaptaoiity III the writing OF the
topical songs and other trivial numbers de.
signed To make certain people who could
lievc that comic opera is the finest thing
on the stage. All this Is complimentary TO
MIR. Edwards taste and talents. while the
effort to furnish something Tor everybody
indicates good business judgment. And yet
the least worthy numbers. as might pave
been expected. made the biggest hits with
the large audience at the Coates last night
In this score. more than in any other oi
MIR Edwards heard here. this composer
has shown that he Is capable OF higher
The book of Mr.. STANCE Is also above the
previous; standard set by this popular IL
brettist He has devised some very anus
ing situations. has written some very funny
lines. and has made some very pretty
lyrics. several of the numbers being poetic
in the extreme. Ii has been Il long time
since 4 new opera with so many catchy
numbers has been given i'll this city. and
the success that has attended Mr.. De An
gels tour is not ii surprise after seeing
him in his new surroundings. The story Is
one well suited t" comic opera purposes.
Mr.. STANCE has drawn somewhat upon Bull
wer's play of "Richelieu for ideas in de-
velopinC his leading motive. there being
many points of similarity between the Mar
quis De Chantily and Adrien de Mauprat.
Manager Stevens deserves a great deal of
credit for the imposing production he has
made of the new opera He has Il fine staff
of principals. Il splendid chorus-the most
imposing male chorus seen here in many a
day-attractive stage settings and hand
some &c stumes. The stage pictures. espc-
cially in the opening scenes. where the
musketeers and the flower girls ill the
stage. ard IN the opening OF the second act,
where the bridal party dances minuet.
are unusually striking.
Mr.. De Angels has role well designed
I" give him opportunity and license. and
he uses both To the utmost degree. He Is
the same nmhle. funny. inSiStent comedian
that he has been for many years. making
hits at every turn. even in his songs.
though he has singing voice De An
gels is rresistihlv funny and h. highly de-
serves the success he has attained. lie is
ii comedian in whom one can take keen
fT-a \. IL. .ttS .,tttf
ing however. To witness the cXtravagHnceS
of his emotional nature in his new role.
He carries his iovemaking 10 an obnoxious
degree at times. and his topical songs have
several lines that should he cut
In Mr.. Van Rensselaer, Wheeler the COM
pany has Il strong principal. for h. Is IL fine
baritone. !, good actor and "A Eou,i-iOnkiug
fellow MI. Harry marlborough who is
ordinarily a good SECOND to Mr.. DE Angels.
had such cold last night that his per-
formance ineffective. 1t Is a pity that
so good Il hassn and 50 C"nspicunuSIy hand
some chap Mr.. Wnitr.d Hlak. duas
not hav. more OF real Importance to do in
this opera.