Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-03-22
.OpERATIC
Talent Possessed
In Akron.
Pupils of Mrs. Edward
N. Heaton
Present Mariana Very
Successfully.
Amateurs Sang Almost With Vim
and Force of Professionals.

and Force of Professionals.
From the raising of the curtain on
the first scene in the opera, Mariana,
until it fell on the triumphant conclus-
ion of the last act, when the .vilainy of
Don Jose was revealed, the King rec
onciled and Don Ccasar happy with his
bridc,and au appointment as Governor,
interest in the singing and acting of
the weird plot never Jagged with the
audience at the Grand last night.
The opera was presented by pupils
OF Mrs II. NJ. Heaton, one of Akron's
most prominent and popular instruc-
tors in music and the manner in which
they performed the various parts was
crcditable not only to themselves, but
also to their instructor. Among the
audience, which completely filed the
house, were many of Akron S principal
dcyotecs of music and song, and the
applause they bestowed upon the work
of the performers was sufficient guar
antce that they were delighted with
the manner in which the opera was
presented. No delays occurred between
acts TO distract the interest of the all-
diencc. Everything from start to fin
ish was conducted with an accuracy
and spontaneity seldom observed i'll the
stage work of amateurs.
The story told by the opera, while
n familiar one, never fails to be inter
esting, and lively. With its dramatic
force and tinge of romance, the hero
and heroine passing through II series
OF thrilling experiences, finally arriv-
ing ut II happy and peaceful climax.
the phases and situations construct an
a band of gypsies in the public square
of Madrid. Members of the band are
busy soliciting contributions from the
people, and in the midst of the group
is the pretty queen, Maritana, whose
beauty has smitten King Charles. TO
secure her favor, the King enlists the
artiiice of his minister, Don Jose
| Meanwhile Don Caesar de Basan ap
pears, and cndeavors to win the affect
| ions of the queen. He gets into an alter.
cation with the Captain of the Guards
and is placed in prison. He Is finally
rescued ns II furtherancc of the plot
of Don lose to put linn out of the way
of the King, and separate him from
Mariana, by making him the husband
of MarchiOncSs de MontcfiOri Oi
course this scheme was averted, the
King was made to understand the sit
rntion, the trickery of Don Jose was
exposed, and the result was as happN
nS could be.
As Queen Mariana, Miss Nelli,
| Blackwell, of Rarbcrton, sang will
such sweetness and force of expression
that she won the universal admiration
OF the audience. Two beautiful bou
| qucts were sent forward to the yoln;
woman. Miss Blackwell Is only |,
years old. yet her voice has the fullncs
and power of many older singers
Is In good form of culture, and Mis-
Blackwell has "A pleasing manner o
expression that adds much TO her sing
ing.
In the Mcphistophelian role o
Don Jose, Mr.. IL. w. Curtis was sue
ccssful. lie sang and acted well, re
ccivlng much applause.
Don Ccasar was well taken by MI
II. l.. Wilson, who performed his par
in II pleasing mnnner.
Mr.. G.. Frederick Bowers, ms Kin
4 hnIlnS Orit l.,t.,,, al,
His voice Is mclodlous ana well con
trolled.
Miss Ida May Rockwell attircd as
hey, to take the part of LaZarillo,
friend of Don CCasar, pleased the au
diencc with her singing and acting.
Some very clever dancing was intro
duced into the play by Miss Emm
Burnham. So pleasing was this fcatur
that the young woman was called bac
for n second performance. She wa
also presented bouquet.
Miss Rlauchc Wilmington san
swcetly aud received much applause
Others who had prominent part
were Captain of Guards, j. +, Syocckle
Alcndc Isaac Davies; Marchioncsi
Miss Grace Greenwood.
The chorus singers and soldiers di
their work successfully and contribute
much to the success OF the affair,
Mrs. lIcatou directed the entire pc
formancc. She received many con
plimcnts and congratulations upon I'll
success of the opera, and received sc,
ernl preltN hOmnMels.