The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-05-03
AmHSemCEtS.
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The first performance of The Prince
and the Peasant" q comic opera. writ
ten. composed and produced entirely
by salt Lake men and women, was Civ
en- before a large and appreciative au-
dience last night at the Theatre The
opera was surprisingly successful. the
| idea of the libretto being very novel,
the music pretty and light. though
lacking force in spots. while the work
Of the principals and chorus was de-
cidedly good
OF course. there are a number Of
places in the opera where Improvement
can be made. For instance, the chorus.
probably the biggest ever seen in
local production. although fun of life
and ginger. viii stand more training
without injury. There is plenty Of
business in the last two acts that can
be cut out and not be missed. and the
stage management should be looked
after more closely ali the way through.
Harold Orlob, the composer, is to be
congratulated on the music, which,
though not forcefuI and lacking in
strong cliuaXes. is remarkably catchy
and tunefuI, and indicates great talent
i'm the young author. Almost all the
numbers were repeatedly encored.
The libretto, by Frank Maltese is
good but has possibilities that were
not brought out to the fullest extent.
and there is need OF revision in the
second act. I'm order to bring a full I'M
derstanding to the audience. There is
a vague uncertainty about the dream
scene that mars the effect. and causes
it to appea- slightly ridiculous at
times. But these are defects that can
be easily remedied.
Mrs. Kate Brilewell Anderson's voice
was heard to good advantage as Jean
cite Mrs. Anderson exhibited signs of
nervousness at first, but they soon
wore away, and she improved through
each act. Mrs. Lily Pye Bradford was
perfectly at home as Fanchette. and
made 2 dainty and delightfully."- pretty
maid. Alfred Best. jr.. as Karl, acted
like a professional, putting plenty of
life and action in the part.
Lorenzo Haddock as Zoo Zoo. the
brigand, and Franklin Hooper, as
Blinkie Blinker, his little sneezing bro
Their. supplied the comedy. and good
comedy. too. Spencer Squires was
Hindrich Brochmyer. the old inn-keep-
er. His solo in the first act was well
rendered. In the second act. which is
supposed to be a dream. the characters
OF Prince Hugo. the Count and the Imp
We're satisfactorily filled by Frank FOs-
ter. Salvatore z. Maltese and Edwin
PomerOy. while Miss Kate Butler and
Miss Gertrude Johnston as the Jester
and the Countess made good impress
sious.
There were enough merry. villagers
i'm the chorus to stock a good-sized
town They didn't do anything that a
merry viIlager shouldn't do. but what
they did Go was pretty well done. One
Of the most successful features was a
ballet dance Of the fairies, in which
Miss Rene Humphrey. a sweet and
graceful little ladv was introduced as
a toe dancer. Miss Humphrey was
charmingly graceful in the dance. An
other feature was 2 double sextette.
but sextettes have ceased to be a nov
city.
Taken all in all. Messrs Maltese and
OTlOh have reason 10 feel very proud Of
their work. although there are a num-
Der Of ultra-musical VINO viii probably
say otherwise. The Prince and the
Peasant viii be repeated this after
noon and this evening.
Miss June Mathis. the clever Salt
Lake child actress who has recently
taken the uart Of the baby in Whose
Baby Arc Your is winning many pref
ty compliments for her work in that
farce. The Toledo. G.. Times Of last
Sunday said. IN the course OF its crit
icism: June Mathis is. in addition to
being an accomplished artist. q bright
adornment to the stage.
Miss Mathis is the daughter OF ". D.
Mathis, the druggist.
Two Little Waits" a new play by
Lincoln 7. Carter. is the Offering at the