The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-06-14

Company Give an Excellent Rendition Of
Fra D;avolo.-

Auber's Fra Diavolo is prehsps the
pleassntest and without doubt one OF
the most musical of light operas. With
GARMENT approaches closely the realms
of grand opera and may be said to
fairly rank With. ~Martha- which is
usually admitted into the ranks Of the
more classical works To the general
public all opera tina. is not grand is
broadly termed light sweeping cat
esory hat admits Of subdivision Pro-
tessionaliy speaking, the latter class is
divided into comedy light, and @ro-
matte" Under the last head, which
are usually OF considerable more merit,
Eusically, than the Others, are included
Mariana Carmen" Fra Diayo,o and
others. They are eli essentially sing
ing" operas being as dependent on a
skilfull musical rendition for their
Success as is -Naseotte,- on Its nom
sense.
Fra Diayolo possesses ample oppor-
tunity for the display of good voices
and the showing up OF indifferent ones
and it is bright feather in the cap OF
tie organization now singing at the
Orpheum that, unsteady, there IS little
room for even the captious critic to
lodge complaint against their render
ing of the opera
That postmaster OF criticism. Gle
ment Scott once issued the axiom that
lit is the true critics delight to find
matter which he can consistently and
conscientiously laud" 1t is therefore
pleasant to be able to bestow laurels
where laurelS are due which IN the
present instance extends from princi-
pals 10 property man.
Dramatically the cast of Fra Diayolo
is weak in spots and strong IN spots.
An operatic Admirable Crichtoa" who
shall combine the dramatic power OF
an Irving or Mansfield with the voice
OF jean de Reszke has yet to be bora
and i is almost Invariably the ease
that the greatest singer makes the pass-
able actor. Mr.. Volt OF the Company
approaches very nearly the desire,.
consammation, however, having re-
markable and versatile dramatic force
besides en- unusually fine basso Mr..
Gotf is trifle lacking at times in his
stage craft and Mr.. Baker seemed some
what nervous, which perhaps is only
natural considering that this ia his first
appearance in strange part and in a
strsnge town where the critics have
sesmed to be hunting for opportunities
TO cavil rather than to praise Neither
OF these gentlemen's shortcomings how
ever are sufficient to detract in any
way from the pleasure of the whole
performance; while after all, it is music
that one goes to the opera to hear and
better baritone or tenor would be
hard to Gnd.
Miss Hattie Belle I.add rs "Zerlinan
had difficult role to sustain. The 6is=
robing scene in the second act is a
particularly trying ordeal to any act
Tess. While the scene must be hand
! laa with the utmost delicacy 1t is the
natural rein3mant OF the virtuous.
village maiden that should be shown
WHO would hardly retire as the ultra
fashionable lady of the manor at the
nsighboring chateau would be apt TO
do. Tbs country giIl's natural vanity
at the pleasure her charms were likely
to bestow upon her lover husband. the
inmate modesty of the pure Hina.l
girl, and certain very fetching rogu-
ishness wsieh Is all Mas Lsdd's own.
gave delightful touch of naturalness
and originality to the rendition. Miss
Laid is eminently able to sustain tta
vocalization of the role, being gifted
with pure eoatEalto Of great range