Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-12
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PRISCILLA [EASED.
.CLEvET, RICHMOND AMATEURS
SCORE SUCCESS IN OPERA.
MRS. MURPHY IN TITLE ROLE.
Her performance Was Delightful,
ana 1, Feature of the occasion.
1mmc:,1e Audience Attended the
pcrformnncc-Anu1 of the Lib
rctt5st's work.
MRS. MURPHY In TITLE ROLE

rcttist,s Work.
TO say that priscilla scored q sue
cess is but to echo the unanimous and
emphatic verdict os last nights audience
al the Academy.
This pleasant function accomplished, it
remains to congratu late the NlcGill Catho-
lie Union for the courage shown in defy
ing cheap consideration, and for the pre-
sentation Of an opera that afforded one
of the most delightful entertainments of
the season. The operetta is full Of good
things and it was eXcelent!y performed
last night It went with Smoothness
and vim. and there were no bitches. The
actors were all at home in their parts,
and all of them were good
There was stage full Of pretty girls all
hecomingly costumed, and considerable
male chorus in the Puritan habiliments of
New England Colonial days. Much care
had been bestowed upon the details and
the production as a. whole was hiStoricai-
~ correct.
A more enthusiastic audience has sure
~ never been seen in the Academy than
that which greeted the local players last
night. Every seat in the house was taken
and the audience oVerEOWed into the lob
bies, and the applause was vigorous,
timely. and not to be denied. The princ-
pal singers We're cordially received and
nearly every solo was rapturouSlE encored.
It was thoroughly representative gath
ering. Though the object Of the perform
ance was the benefit of the McGill Cath
olic Union Building Fund, a more I'M
sectarian audience could hardly have been
attracted by q regular theatrical colnb-
nation appearing in the ordinary cours~
Of Manager Leaths business.
MIR. SURETTES PERSONALITY.
There was distinct element of inte-
rest in the production Of "Priscilla' last
night due to the fact that the musical
score is the work of Thomas w. SUrette,
who is well known in this city. Further
more the opera has never been heard in
this city. Richmond musicians have 4
liking for Mr.. Surette. He has an et--
ceedingly attractive personality, and he
works harder than any American laborer.
There is every wish therefore to praise
his venture but candor Compels an adverse
verdict. This is all the more regrettable
because the work is certainly to a large
extent. built upon legitimate and reason
able ideals. 1t is attempt to brush on
one side all the stupidity, the Vulgarity.
the inaneneSs and the vague nonsense OF
the musical farce which has been with
us too long. Unlucl5ily. although the ar
tStic failure of the opera could certainly
not be attributed to any lack of ambition.
the thing proved absolutely unstimulat-
ing and. in one Or two central and Ur-
important passages even silly. 1t is not
written badly, indeed, it contains many
quite good lines. and the lyrics are, for
this kind of work, at times even excel
lent; but it suffers from fatal medic
Gritty The music has a certain nuencv
far too much Of that characteristic which
may be described as the quality by which
q man can always guess the second
phrase of a passage when the first phrase
is given. One can anticipate. too, many
large remainCers of Mr.. Surettes score
with the help of the first few bars Still!
ne mas the gift of melody which IS some
times almost mastery. So much for the
work Of the librettist. and the composer.
HOW IT WAS PRESENTED.
After all. one need worry ones self not
at all about such technical details. whec
the cause to be benefited is one so worthy
as the McGil Catholic Union, when the
stage is full of pretty girls when the
acting is spirited and convincing. and
When voices are fresh and clear and well
trained.
There was q good deal of life and color
in the scenes. Mr.. Melville Daniels. the
stage manager of the production has
made the most of the excellent material
with which he has 20 work. ard Mr..
Stein. the leader OF the Academy Orches-
ira deserves special mead of praise
for his training of the large chorus. and
the gallant little band of principals
The stage pictures were certainly attrac-
tive. and there Wis an air of confidence
throughout the performance. which spoke
eloGuentlv Of hard work. faithfully done.
ana of mastery Intelligence as we'll as
cornmendable zeal.
The performance last night, indeed,
marks Il distinct advance along the line
Of amateur productions, and will rank
with the best achievements Of the past.
The story of the opera need not be re-
told 1t is based. Of course. on Long
fellows "Courtship Of Miles standish.-
and tells the love story of Priscilla, the
farest OF thu Puritan naidens 1t &c
fines the character. the manners. and the
strict mode Of dress Of the early settlers
on the shores of New England.
The scenes are laid in Leyd'en. Mass:
in the year 1921. There are two acts and
twenty-five musical numbers IN the
MRS. MURPHY DELIGHTFUL:
The part Of Priscilla was deiG y,,,;I!
a clever little conledienne, with a very
good voice she forms of the plea
santest recolections Of the evening.
There was life and vigor in her style,
and her bearing is marked by sinsu-
iarly effective combination of dignity,
repose, and grace.
Miss Mary Manning, Miss Essie Bur
nett. and Miss Agnes Sitterdins, as the
three ''AIaytlower buds. were vivac1ous
and charming. and sang rather prettiiv
Miss Annie Newleiser, as the eccentric
middle-aged spinster. Resignation. was
delightfully."- clever and kept the house
in roars of laughter.
Mr.. Alvin Smith made q most favorable
impression as the doughtg Iaptaln lie; 5ales
in The part. and in full sympathy with
the character his Interpretation showing
careful and intelligent study.
Johp Alden ;be friend in need,