The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-22


In a brief notice of this character, full
description can not be given of story
SO full of interest and situation" as is
| La Festa de San Xavier. It's Mission
| church, with the picturesque scenery of
southern California, the balmy atmos-
here and luuriant wealth of verdure be-
ing admirably depicted in the scenery
specially painted for this opera. It's
costumes, charming senoritas, dashing
cowboys and stolid Indians, present a
wealth of color that appeals to the eye.
The scene of this romantic opera IS
laid in southern California in the early
'50s-a period when that section was still
| under the influence of the Mexican-Sp a.
| ish occupation, whose customs and sup
| ersutions shed a glamour over even the
ordinary incidents of life. The religious
fervor of the people, and their love for
pleasure, are all admirable portrayed in
, the opera, whose varied incidents fol-
lowed in rapid succession
| The story hinges upon the difficulties
Of young novice, Bernardo, who has
been brought up by Father Anselmo, the
pastor Of the mission, and head of the
Franciscan order of Monks, who live
destiny is to become a priest But Ber-
nardo falls in love with Celeste, the
! daughter of an Englishman, who comes
to Southern California for his health,
and who sthe burlesque fthe play.
Celeste reciprocates Barnardo's affection,
and they are assisted in theid endeavors
to escape the authority of those who
would separate them by Chiquita, a
Spanish beauty and the sole heiress to
the immense rancho lying adjacent to the
mission. She is in love with SylVestre
mere cowboy, and has troubles of her
own, caused by the fact that there is
opposition in her family to what they
consider messalliance. The bishop of
the diocese appears in the last act and
straightens out all the tangled skeins
The story and its scene afford many ex-
cellent opportunities for the young COM
poser to give free rein to his musical
genius. The entire work is striking in it's
coloring, giving in many instances i'm
pressions of Mascagni's "Cavaleria Rus
ticana.''
First Act.-The duet by Bernardo ana
Celeste, Love Sings Within My Heart"
is a most enhancing number and is an
earnest of what is to follow. The solo
by Anselmo. $50 1t has Come to This"
is also an excellent example of the COM
posers vein. The act closes with ring
ing chorus, introducing the first solo by
Chiquita, the dashing Spanish seniorita,
and belle of the mission.
Second Act.-The Indian chorus with
which the act opens is probably the
most unique example in music of the
union of nature and art. The composer
having obtained this motif from a per-
sonal visit to a Moqui sun dance The
music is characteristic and yet catchy
In this act Sylvestre, the leader of the
cowboys, has an excellent opportunity to
render a very effective solo. This act is
replete with situations" chorus. quin-
tettes, solos. and duets, among the latter
being the gem-a duet by Chiquita and
Sylvestre-'Tf You Love Me as Love
You"
Third Act.-This opens with Celeste's
greatest solo, Bernardo, No One is
Here" and leads up TO the elopement.
The contamination is, however. prevent
ed by the appearance Of the bishop, who.
after some explanation, releases Bernardo
from his vows, marries him to Celeste
then and there, and ''every one lives
happy ever after"
The artillery battalion Of the Kansas
National Guard. consisting of Battery A,
located at Wichita, and Battery B, To-
Gated at Topeka, are in some need Of
schooling in field work, and as there
were no available funds 70 rthis purpose.
the commanding officers decided to raise
the necessary money for practice march |
this summer by personal efforts, and to
that end have arranged for the produc- |
ton of the opera just described. The |
maxim, I'm time of peace prepare for |
war" should be appreciated by every
citizen of the United States after the ex-
perience of two years ago, when it was |
necessary to raise a large army on short |
notice, and every one should be willing to |
encourage and assist the National Guard |
in its endeavor to educate itself. The |
opera will be given Thursday, April 26.
at Crawford's opera house. The sale of |
seats opens Tuesday morning at o'clock |
at Howe's jewelry store