The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-03
THE LOCAL srAoE.
The wiIbur-ISirwin Opera Company
Opens It's Eugagemcnf.

|
| The Wilbur Kirwln Opera company.
probably the best low priced light opera
organization in existence, opened an en-
gagement OF FIVE night and three matinee
performances at Sweeney & COMBS the
alter last night Notwithstanding the ex-
element attendant on the election and the
| fact that the Lenten season IS being Vsiy
generally observed, an audience wnlch
comfortably hied the house was present
and Judging by the amount OF applause
every Dit of the 1.-TWO VagaDonds,' Inc
IMnpur version OF Erminie. when was
/ the opera selected for the openns niHns'
together with the various vaudeyile Tea
lures. was Thoroughly enjoyed. Practical
Ily an OF the solo work in the opera progor
| as well as the different speclaitles were
heartily encortd.
The company is practically the sane as
that which Miss Klrwin brought whom
she first visited Houston last season. The
organization does not contain any Melbls
! or Nordicas or De Reszkes, but IL does
number among its membtrs some very
clever people. It's mission Is TO please
| and that II fulhls this mission every one
! who has ever seen one of It's perfornl-
anoes viii attest. one certainly gets The
worth OF ones money. Some Of the trl-
dtions of the operate stage may be lnlre
or less damaged WHEN vaudeville features
are introduced between the acts of such
pieces AS "Erminie," and when medleys
" old time songs and ballet marches are
lnterpolatfd In the opera proper, but mat
Is matter which bothers the Wilbur
Kirwin audiences very little indeed. lleY
go to he amused. and that they accon-
piisb the purpose of their visit is more
than evident.
/ Miss Klrwln. the capable little woman
who heads the organization, Is just as
clever and just as entertaining as ever.
and that is saying much. The people
present last night did not get to enjoy
as much of her work as they expected.
She was billed to play Fanchon, but only
few minutes before O'clock the hour
announced for the raising OF the curtain.
Miss Alice Hare, one of the members
of the cast was taken suddenly Ill and
could not 80 on. AS result, Miss Kir-
win assumed the part OF Captain Pastlle,
for which Miss Hare was billed, while
her own part was filled acoeptably by Miss
Helen Foy Harold Gordon. the tenor
4 OF the organization. who wes seen as
Leon. was in excellent form and his work
made a decidedly good impression. Mr..
Gordon is the possessor OF a voice ol
considerable merit and his acting Is
smoother and more graceful than it was
last year. Margaret Bakers sweet So
prano was heard to good advantage in the
part OF Resale, and c. a. Fuller and
Lyman Wheeler deserve credit for the
manner in which they carried the re-
spective roles Of the marquis ana the
count Louise Roberts was satisfactory
as Princess Pompadour and all % The M
nor characters were well handled.
Great things wSre expected of Il. A.
Clark, the baritone. and J. Clarence Har'
vey, the comedian, in the respective roles
of Robert and Jaques, the two vagabonds,
and II was evident that no one was dis
appointed. Mr.. Clark's fine baritone was
especially pleasing and the low comedy
work of Mr.. Harvey was of such q nature
as to make him an immediate favorlts.
He may overdo things occasionally but
there ID no denying the fact that in his
own particular line he Is as clever rs
any one in the business. His every APP
,, pearance on the stage last night was the
signal for hearty laughter
The vaudeville features were all good
and contributed no little to the enjoy
> ment OF the performance. The one that
was Looked forward to above all others
l was, OF course, tho famous girl With
the Auburn Locks" and 1t can be safely
said that every one who saw 1t was htGh-
" pleased. The scene opens with rep
resentatlon of the front OF a church
from the interior Of which the strains OF
an organ and a voice singing The holy
q City" are heard Gradually the solid
stones represented as forming the walls
of the church seem Ia fade away aud
l. finally. when the interior OF the sacred
r odince is revealed "the girl with the au.
y burn hair"--Miss Kirwin-is seen, white
supplied, with eyes uplifted singing the
soul Inspiring hymn. Behind her the or.
n ganlst sits at the great pipe organ. huge
@ bunch OF lilies above his head The whole
forms a scene OF great beauty aud the
: a,tractlven5ss of the feature is added to
= by its entire originality
Other specialhes which contributed tc
Z tho general fund OF entertainment were
. the rendering of The Blue and the
v Gray" by Miss Wilbur and the chorus
I the illustrated songs Of Mr. Mason and
!. the extremely clever song and dance work
/, OF Baby Beatrice. little lady of very
tender years, who will be remembered as
j. having been here with the Baldwin Mel
Vile company season or two ago.
The members of the amateur cast which
will sing "Ermine' here In the near fu-
o ture, formed a theater party which saw
= The Wilbur version last night.
n The Queens Lace Handkerchief viii
II he put on this afternoon and tonight "Ers
- Diavolo' will be tho bill.