The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-10-18
AT THE THEATER

Bizet's grand opera, Carmen" was
sung last night by the Gordon-Shay
Grand Opera Company before a bril-
liant audience. 1t was the first grand
opera of the season and it is not too
much to say that Carmen has sell
dom been more brilliantly sung. The
opera itself is one of distinctive merit,
and its presentation could not fail to
please even the most eXacting critic.
Miss Rose Cecilia Shay occupies the
title role, and her conception of the
character is an ideal one. Her work
is artistic and finished, and she had
the pleasure of responding to repeated
encores.
1t was Miss Shay's first appearance
before a Savannah audience. She came
with the prestige of European success,
the praise of the Italian masters and
with laurels for her singing in Faust"
I'll Trovatore," "Cavalleira Rusticana"
I'll Paghacci" and "Mignon" in this
mentcountry and that she was no dis
appointment was shown by the favor
with which she was received. Her
voice, a rich mezzo soprano, is of great
power and mellowness and she uses IL
with rare skill and sympathy. She is
admirably supported by company of
prima donna herself.
Albert, who has been heard here in
various operate roles, was literally
applauded for his Toreador song.
Helene Noldi, as Michaela' was a IA
vorite, and her splendid dramatic So
prano was particularly pleasing. She
received unstinted applause.
Mr.. Dunsmore as Don Cairo, Mr..
Wheatley, as Don Jose, and the other
leading members of the company were
all in voice and were heard to excel
lent advantage.
This week will close with Frank
Daniels presentation of Miss Sim
| plicity'' tonight. The proverb about
Daniels luck" long current in the
| theatrical business, has apparently
once more received verification. While
| other comic opera comedians have been
| experimenting with failures he has
| somehow, been able for years to Sc
cure successes, and the rule still holds
! good, from all reports. for he seems
to have found in Miss Simplicity
sun another work that is just suited
to the popular fancy. 1t is said by
| those who have seen the opera that
nothing that Daniels has understaken
In the way of funmaking role has
been more provocative of laughter
than his new impersonation of Bios
SONS, the valet crowned king in spite
of himself. The company supporting
Daniels includes comedians and vocal
| lists well known in musical plays and
light opera. and it may readily be be-
ieved that they give a performance
noteworthy for sustained excellence. In
the company are Will Danforth, Frank
| Turner, Mark Lane, John Wheeler,
Grace Orr Myers, Kate TART, May
Lowrie, Florence Holbrook and Isa-
belle D'Armonde.
The sale of seats for Miss Freda
Gallick's production of "Life's Great
Lesson" next Tuesday night will open
this morning. The play is Southern
drama by Clarence Mako. Miss Gal
lick is a Southern woman, and is sup
ported by chosen company of New
York players. The play is pronounced
| one of the strongest of the year. 1t
depicts the life of one of the old F. F.
V. families of Virginia, and the scenes
are located in an old family mansion
on the Potomac river and in Washing
ton. The production has met with en-
| thusiastic praise, and may be account
ed one of the genuine hits of the sea-
son.
A dramatic event of interest is the
announcement that William Bonelli and
Rose Stahl will be seen in Janice Mer-
edith, next Wednesday matinee and
night. The production of the piece
made by Frank Mckee for a run Of
three months at Wallack's Theater.
New York, has been bought outright bv
Mr.. Bonelli and Miss Stahl, even to the
original properties
The members of the Savannah Scboo,
of Acting are meeting nightly to re-
hearse the schools first play, 1.-The
Benet1t of the Doubt" to be presented
shortly at the Theater The play is one
OF Pinero's best. 1t deals with society
life in London, is natural and true to
life. yet gives opportunity throughout
Tor hne work, both in the lighter and
more serious moods. The first act is
replete with bright sayings and witt
cisms, the second and third full of emo
tional scenes which enable the partici-
ity. ,'''i-
WILL TEST THE SYSTEM