The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-17

safe to follow as the boX-oftlce lndlca-
lions. It Is barometer that never falls
to register public approval or disapproyal
as it really Is.
WELL-KNOwN ARTISTS.
Among the celebrated people who will
appear In the prominent roles in the OPEN
Ing opera Said Pasha, are Zelda Rotali,
the great Italian prima donna; Madeline
Lowry, mezzo sopranos; Cara Deane, con-
tralto; Carroll Michael. comedian: James
R. Donnelly. comedian; Jules Cluzetti.
tenor; Frank French, baritone, and
Thomas T. Donnelly. character comedian.
Carl Won Wcgern Is the musical director
OF the enterprise and Mr.. Frank V.
French the stage manager. These names
pass current In musical circles for all
that Is delightful and artistic, and they
seem to insure the triumphant success OF
the undertaking.
The arran cement OF an opera season
was a very happy thought OF Mr.. Wells.
This season he has run the gamut of the
amusement field and 1t would be difficult
indeed to imagine moro delightful set
of plays than have been offered. Public
appreciation of this managers efforts mas
been emphatcally registered ut the box
Office and the Bijou has enjoyed most
extraordinary season Of prosperity. or
| the operas to be presented this week.
there Is little to be said. They make
| their own appeal and It Is an appeal that
| will not be denied. for they belong 70
| that list of evergreen plays which draw
| crowded houses year after year by reason
| OF their perennial charm. They were not
| written for any day or generation, but for
| all time, They are brightly conceived
as to dialogue: their music has been wills
tied and barrel organed all over the world
| and is, In fact whistled to-day far more
than the modern trash with which the
public has been of late 30 surfeited. From
a picturesque standpoint, too, they are
supremacy attractive,
The music critics of to-day peWh!l tne
dearth OF comic opera libretlists and mu-
sicians capable of composing such MASTER
| pieces rs those delightful plays thar are
| numbered in the repertoire of the Rob-
inson Company, and they argue well
There has been no work produced IN the
| last decade that can compare with these
| masterpieces Of bygone age. ear a.
| ter year ms these pieces are revived. tne
public hocks to hear them ana Is wei
| satisfied IL they are reasonably present
ed.
The opera is the favorite diversion OF all
| kinds and conditions of men and Wo-
men. great opera company stlrs UP the
musical atmosphere OF the city as docs
no other king OF musical excllemens. leo. re3,
pie notorIoutly prefer spending thelI
money where they can see as we'll as
hear where glittering costumes. absorb
ing dramatic action not to mention tash-
| IONS prcsepcc combine In brilliant en-
semble. There is something Intoxicating
in an operate performance which Is alb
sent in every other form OF entertain
ment
The Robinson Comic Guerra Company Is
| no new thing n Is one OF the ro'infrNs
| institutions and II comes mere IN care,
fully prepared repertoire Of the tried md
accepted masterpieces of the operati
stage.
II has n, last been settled beyond per,
adventure that the Bitou Musical coined!
Company will return here before the reg,
ular season closes al the broao'el'ee'
theatre,