The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-10-26
A REAL GRAND OPERA
GoRDoN-SHAY COMPANY
GREAT SUCCESS.
I'll Trovatore" and Faust Present
ed In Fine style at Montgomery
Theatre-Prima Donna Ill
and Unable to Appear.

To the Gordon-Shay Opera Company he
| longs the credit of presenting in the
South. after a lapse If about ten years
grand opera in first-class style.
Not since the good old days when Emma
Abbott and her well-remembered superior
| company annually visited the Southern
cities has such music been heard In
Montgomery as that which delighted twa
audiences at the Montgomery Theatre
yesterday when 'T Trovatere' and
Faust were sung.
Tho Gordon-Shay Opera COMPANY IL
now In Montgomery synonymous with vo-
cal ana artistic excellence. The company
was surprise. There came In advance
or 1t tales Of its successes and Ii was
told that the stamp Of popular approval
had been put upon 1t early In the sea-
son, long before the cempany's entry into
Alabama. Yet the advance report fell
short of adequately portraying the merit
of the company which scored q double
success In Montgomery. The organization
lis made up of artists. That such an ag-
gregation Of talent could be collected Ia
an organization is decidedly creditabIe
to the managerial ability of the men
who organized. equipped and put upon
the road the stars who form the company.
The company contains artists like Rose
Cecilia Shay, who has won approval on
two continents; John Dunsmure, one Of
Americas greatest baHsos; Helen Noldi
rarely gifted soprano; Archille Albert.
baritone Of reputation equal to any OF
these and a singer who had before won
place In the esteem of Montgomery
theatre-goers; and other of approved
standing in musical and artistic circles. 1t
Is the simple truth that many of the
theatre-goers and music-lovers of Mont
gomery were amazed at the excellence of
the two performances of yesterday.
1t augurs well for the future Of the
stage that a high class organization OF
this kind 10 receiving generous support.
1t assuredly merits liberal patronage. In
comic opera and the so-calied musical
comedies the large choruses are distinc-
lively featured and the stage is Outlines
crowded with IL, without rhyme or rea-
son. The Gordon-Ehay Opera Company
should of right be proud of its chorus.
1t is made W Of attractive women and
handsome men. 1t was noted with APP
prevail, too, that the chorus was only
upon the stage when IT was needed.
The chorus could sing, too When the
volume of music rose from the splendid
chorus, II was like the swell Of melody
from a magnificent pipe organ.
J. Saunders Gordon, who manages and con-
trolls the company, is to be commended and
congratulated for the result he has attained.
If he gets the support his organization de-
serves he and his artists will grow rich.
AT the matinee yesterday III Trovatore''
was presented. The cast as follows.
Azucena ............................E oise Bishop
Leonorh '',''..''''',',..,''.,'.,.., Helen Mold
lnlz Pauline johnson
Manrico ......................Wa Waiter wheatley
Count de Luna. James Stevens
EerraRdO AathonV Htsfnfon
Ruiz George Francis Beard
messenger ........,.,.,,........,.W +. Manning
Gypsy .......................,..,. Condit
1t was universally regretted that Miss Shay
was unable to appear at either the matinee or
the night performance. Miss Shay became III
in the middle Of the performance OF Faust"
in Birmingham Wednesday night. She was
compelled to remain under treatment at an in
Urinary in that city until yesterday morning
when she Joined tho company in this city.
She was still unable to appear and during her
stay In Montgomery she was confined to her
room at the Glenmore Hotel II said last
night that in Birmingham she was from an
extremely severe cold, threatened with con-
gaetion of the vocal chords.
But In both operas sung In Montgomery
Madame Noldi proved herself an able substi-
tute for the prima donna Indeed 1t is extreme
y doubtful II her voice in the rendition of
both Leonora and Margarlta could have been
improved upon.
I'll Trovatore," VeTdis masterpiece, was
produced to average sized audience but to
one which thoroughly appreciated the beauties
of the performance The opera was sung In
fine style. the volume to the choral numbers
being especially praiseworthy.
While Madame Noldi easily scored In point
of public favor, Miss Pauline Johnson easily
distinguished herself as IneE. The richness Of
her voice, the depth of her expression and her
histrionie ability completely won the audi
ence.
The tenor Mr. Wheatley has a fine stage
presence but his voice did not measure up to
the standard established by the company
At night Faust was the bill and the cast
was as follows:
Margarita .....,.............. Helene Nordi
SiebeI ....,...,. Pauline johnson
Martha Lena Winters
Faust Joseph Frederioks
Menhisto ........... LOAN Dunsmore,
Valentine ........ AchIIIe Albert
Wagner .......... C,eoyse Franelr BEARD
In the ro,e Of Marrarita the saddest. most
pathetic figure In all romance, Madame Noldi
more than duplicated her afternoon success.
Her ra0niaoent sonrano was heard to excel
s siH of the great role. Her singing and