The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-23
AT THE THEATRES.
The Sntiona,-pbe Bo.,o,inns

4
The Bostonians minus Mr. Macdonald.
but with Fl. Clay Barnabee and George
| rockingham on hand, to say nothing of
two score more of other very capable
| lyric artists opened their annual engage
ment at the National Theatre last evening
| i'm The Serenade. one of the very best
comic operas of recent times and quite
| the abest that Victor Herbert has ever
written. The audience. while not Il particu-
| larly large one, was very generous in
the matter of applause. The performance
| of the Smith-Herbert piece was in some
respects better than, any the famous COM
pany has given in many seasons.
| So far as The Serenade" itself is con-
| cerned local theatres know that it pos
| sesses many melodies that infinitely
better than the average in similar works.
| that Harry Smiths libretto is excellent
in it's way and provides plenty of oppor-
| tunities for the principal members of the
cast which. it should be added, they take
full advantage Of while the new Boston
ians contributed a great deal to the gem
eral excellence of the performance. One
of the most capable of the new members
Is Es:elle Wentworth, a local singer. whose
appearance last night was her premiere
in this city. She was in good voice. and
while her dramatic work evidenced mex
pcrience she nevertheless scored a decided
success her song I'm Fair Andalusia >"
receiving a number of encores. Another
new member of the Barnabee- Macdonald
forces Is Adele Rafter, a winsome young
woman whose contralto is of a pleasing
quality, even If It has its limitations,
which are quite noticeable in some of her
numbers. The tenor of the organization
is Albert Airing Parr. who has been pre-
viously heard in the Capital in secondary
roles with Francis Wilson and other com
panies of like type. But with the Bos-
tonians. Mr.. Parr has come into his own
and the impression he created last night
was distinctly favorable. He has an adj
mirable voice and marked dramatic abili-
ties, and he is by far one of the most
acceptable tenors that have been heard
in this city for some seasons.
II. Clay Barnabee, the only and original,
who seems as sprightly ever. displays
the same unctuous humor as in the days
when he was less prominent figure in
the realm of comic opera. Mr. Macdonald
was indisposed and his part was most
acceptably taken by Charles r. Hawley.
who gave very spirited and finished per
Torrance. Other members of the COM
pany whose work was worthy of praise
were John Dunsmure. w II. Fitzgerald,
and Josephine Bartlett.
The Bostonians chorus is of good
numerical proportions. while the feminine
element is more youthful and good look
ing than its predecessors. while there has
been no falling off in the vocal abilities
of the members. The voices are fresh
and strong and are usually in harmony,
with the result that the ensembles are
extremely well rendered, even for this
organization.
Local theatregoers who have in years
gone by found much to admire in the
performances of the Bostonians will great
~ enjoy the productions during the pres
ent engagement Tonight and tomorrow
night and at the Saturday matinee The
Serenade" will be repeated Robin Hood
will be the Offering at the matinee tomOr-
row and Thursday night, while The Vice
roy will have a single presentation Fri
day night.