Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-04-11
A RECHERCHE EVENT.
The Opera II. M s. "Pinafore"
At The Opera House.
PRODUCED BY THE CIRCLE CLUB
AND LOCAL TALENT.
A Successful Performance By Amateurs Of
Rare Ability-A Good CAST And
Fine Chorus superbly
Reudered

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the Circle CLUB. assisted b. local talent.
for the benefit Of the Emergency Hos
piial ford. Some al the ODeTa House
last night were reminded oi the halcyon
days OF their youth by the reproduction
Of "Pinafofe.' which twenty three years
ago was produced al the Naval Academy
by amateurs.
There have been many changes in thai
almost quarter Of a Century. Some have
come aud some have gone, and only one
OF last nights cast was in the original
amateur performance Of the "pinaiore"
Of long ago. This was Dick Deadeye."
"Mr. Robert Sommers. Certain Il Is.
however. that the other cast was no
better, for the "Pinaiore" OF last night
vas we'll Staged, we'll sung and well
acted. OF the chofuses 100 much praise
cannot be given. Both sang we'll and 10
good time. The male chorus, costumed
as "Jaekies" on board II. VI. 5. "pin4-
fore, contained some exceptionally fine
voices, far above the average, and was
better than many on the pfoiessisl stage.
The chorus Of girls in their sailor suits
ol white, sOme with blue and some with
red ribbons, was also very good, and az
| effective addition 70 the cast. And what
Of the cast IL was veil chosen, each
character assuming his own particular
role IN the best possible manner. pre-.
senting much that was interesting ard
suggestive. The charm OF the music vas
only one OF the features of last nights
production Of ''PIBaf5rc." The striking
personality ol each one in The cast, the
remarkable stage presence Of those %
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novel. fiystted the attention Of the aud.
isnce ard won their admiration al the
offset. Prot. u. v. CisseI, Of ST. Iohn's
College, as the RI. Hon. Sir Joseph
Porter, X. {. b., First Lord Of the Ad.
miralty. was very good, and rendered
his part IN pleasing manner. Ills make
up was excellent, and he was perfectly
at home in the character.
Prot. e. v. Cusacbs, Of the Naval
| Academy, assumed the character af Car.
tain Corcoran, commanding II. NJ. s.
"Plnaiore," and IL would have been i'm.
possible to have found one better fitted
Tor the part. Prot. Cusaehs is possessed
Of voice Of golden quality and style
Of impeccable taste and refinement His
beautiful enunciation and dignity Of man.
neT added 10 the mellowness OF his tones,
| made his rendition fascinating in the ex-
treme to the sensitive listener, who is
| quick to appreciate that outward nobility
| Of presence which should, but unfouu-
nately does not always accompany the
inner gift Of talent and genius.
Mr.. Edwin Newbold, Of Baltimore, as
"Ralph Rackstraw," the able seaman,
rendered his part with the precision and
nNta hat he he L..
a voice OF exquisite culture, command
ing stage presence and the magnificent
rendition of his part evlnced the mark of
an artist and :be extensive range, over
which he has command.
Mr.. Robert X. Sommers, as "Dick
Deadeye," an able seaman, made his
first appearance in the character "a years
ago. Time has passed but lightly
over him. He sang his part well, and
was as nimble as any old or young ''jack
tar" on the deck Of II. NJ. S. "Pina-
fore" A large share Of last nights ap
plause was for "Dick Deadeye," for he
won the audience good will at the start
Mr. G. Z. Merrill. as bob Beckett"
the boatswain. did some very good work.
| Mr.. Merrill has a strong ,melodious voice
| rendition of the part gave genuine pleas
ure, and he received a number Of en-
cores. Lieutenanls Muslin, Baldwin and
| Jewell, as boatswaln's mate, midship-
mite and sergeant OF marines, respect
lively, were very good.
Josephine, the captains daughter,
was impersonated by Miss Rosalie Por-
| ter, daughter of Commander Theodoric
Porter, u. 5. N. Miss Porter's grace
and beauty we're enhanced by her nat.
ural and unassuming manner. Her voice
is gem of sweetness, and the character
fitted her admirably.
Mrs. Asher c. Baker, as Little But
tercup," Portsmouth bumboat woman,
is above criticism. Mrs. Baker is possess
ed of an exquisite contralto voice. She
sings as bird sings-as sweet, as fine
and as naturally. Yet under the apparent
spontaniety OF her method lies cultiva.
ton, the full, round tones and the
smoothnesSoi the whole gamut of which,
attest thoroughness OF her musical study.
Mrs. Baker was most pleasing "Little
Buttereup." which the liberal applause
she received attested.
Sir Joseph's FIRST cousin, "Hebe," wa.
exceedingly we'll impersonated by Miss
Tate, who has a sweet, clear voice whose
manner is thoroughly natural. and who
made a great deal OF her part. Mis-.
! Tate's conception Of her character gave
general pleasure and was well received
by the large audience. Indeed, to plagia
iize Admiral Schley. the cast was SO
good that there is glory enough for all. >
Much credit is due Mr.. c. S. Baker
! under whose management the opera wa
I given; also the musical director, Prof. {,
, A. zimmerman, and the stage manager
Mr.. Joseph r. Skerrett. who directed th,
cast and to whose indefatigable efforts
! much Of the success OF last nights per
formance is due. II is no easy matter Il
keep a chorus Of fifty amateur voices to
gether tor several weeks. but this Mr.
Skerreit has succeeded in doing and will
, Unforeseen results. for lovelier concer
was never given in Annapolis.
Il "Pinafore" will be repeated on to.
I morrow Saturday afternoon at a.
o'clock at the Opera House.