St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-04-30
VOL. LXV--NO. 1888
II. n. S. PINAFORE.
Three Successful PerfOrnan nces-A Snug
Sum for the Choral Union Treasury.

Three Successful PerfOrmanCes-A Snug
Sum for the Choral Union Treasury.
H. M. S. Pinafore has made her trip to
st. Johnsbury, and sailed away. The
performances of her crew and the "crowd
OF blushing beauty" are things Of the
past. The presentation of the opera
was, on the whole, very satisfactory and
the audiences evidently enjoyed the bright
music, the solo work by the principa
and the stage groupings. Sir Joseph's
female relatives" made an especially
attractive appearance in gay summer
apparel, and were greeted most po-
litelV" by the house as they tripped
lightly in for their first chorus. The
whlte-clad crew also looked we'll, and the
ensemble was a pleasing picture which
the audience did not tail to appreciate.
The net financial results amount to
$300-a very gratifying outcome, which
puts into the Choral Union treasury
substantial guarantee fund and ensures
the financial success Of next seasons fes-
tival.
Miss Ethel Abbott, who came home
from Boston for this purpose, very COM
pletely filled the role of Josephine" and
in both her singing and action did excel
lent work. Her voice and method haye
materially improved under the instruc-
tion she is now receiving at the hands
of her Boston teacher, and the applause
given her on this occasion was thor
oughly earned and sincerely bestowed.
Miss Abbotts St. John, bury's friends
were glad to hear her again.
Mrs. W. c. Tyler appeared as Little
Buttercup," who ''mixed those children
up" and carried herself with due regard
to the demands OF that role. Her make
up was striking and she sang her part
finely, penitently acknowledging her
errorin handling the youngsters and sue
cumbing gracefully at last to the wiles
of the "Captain."
AANDNI tAN (Otll JClhIOh vi LuS 1AlSL
Lord" was impersonated very cleverly
by Mrs. Chas. E. Peck, who conducted
"hs sisters and his cousins and his
aunts" with a proper amount Of snap
and sang we'll as the leader of the 'iemale
relatives"
E. A. Silsby was fttingly dignifed and
conceited as Sir Joseph Porter, K. c. B."
and acted out that character to the en-
tire satisfaction of the audience, dem
onstrating very convincingly some of the
official absurdities OF that exalted po-
sitlon.
W. c. Tyler as Ralph Rackstraw" did
very acceptable work in a difficult role.
He and Mr.. Sisby had taken the same
characters in this opera when it was
given here before several years ago, and
so were able to make helpful suggestions
as to its presentation at this time. Mr..
Tyler sang with much expression and
gave his lines with spirit.
S. D. Atwood made a vigorous cap.
tain CorcOran" and met the require
ments of his part with much credit to
himself. His solo work was effectively
done, and his scenes with the crew had
refreshing amount OF vim in them.
"Dick Deadeye"-that "beast OF a
name, amt it?"-was most cleverlv
taken care of by Frank o. French, whose
natural abilities as a comedian stood
him in good stead at several points in
the opera, where he introduced original
"asides." The musical part of his work,
too, was excellent, as to both solo and
part singing. "Dicks" makeup was
unique and tended to emphasize the re-
pulsiveness of that unruly member of the
crew.
c. H. Dempsey was an admirable
"Boatswain," sang "He is an English
man" with due spirit, and stood as an
efficient representative of jolly crew
throughout the performance. His make
up was a fairly complete disguise.
Harold 0. French appeared as Boat
swain's mate" Ralph T. Parker as "Car.
penter's mate" and Master Joe Cheney
as the "Midshipmite.
The finale OF the first act, by the entire
company, with dance movement, was so
ruch-enjove that it had to be repeated.
The same is true OF the Bell Trio by Miss
Abbott, Mr.. Slsby and Mr.. Atwood.
Other features especially we'll done were
the Adm;ra's Song by Messrs. Parker,
Dempsey and H. o. French; the duet,
Refrain, audacious tar" by Miss Abb
bott and Mr.. Tyler; Sorry, her lot"
and "The hours creep on apace, ,"by Miss
Abbott; the duet, Things are seldom
what they SEEM" by Mrs Tyler and Mr..
Atwood; the duet, MERRY maiden and
the tar" by Messrs. Atwood and f. 0.
French; and the chorus finale, He is an
Englishman."
The opera was conducted by B Frank
Harris, with Miss Margaret E. Gorham
as accompanst, and to the efficiency of
both Of these musicians much OF the sue
cess of the performance was due.