The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-03
TIE THEATRES.
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

At the Providence Opera House last
evening the Williams Opera company pro-
duoed for their weekly grand opera the
tragedy III Trovatore." This will be the
bill for the balance OF the week with the
usual matinee tomorrow.
The production last evening was per-
haps the most admirable OF anything
this excellent company has done this sea
son.
IL was nne aggregation OF singers
that was on the stage and they rendered
the stunning old drama with splendid
force. swing and finish.
Tho audience was aroused 20 a high
pitch of enthusiasm at several OF the
4 familiar numbers, the fine singing OF
which not even several notable triumphs
OF the season have duplicated.
/ The cast called for tho best talent in
the company and every singer was in
excellent voice and spirit.
The picturesque costumes were new
and handsome and the whole production
was notable for its thoroughness
The auritorfium was cool with the cleo
tho fans and. on the stage the tree pieces
waved with unwonted plsusibIity in the
gentle breeses that swept through ths
wide open stage doors.
Miss Lane and Mr.. Murray both ap-
peared. The climax OF their splendid
work was reached In the duet OF the
prison scene when they had TO respond
10 three or four recalls at the curtain
Mr.. Bruce was properly made a sharer
In the rewards from this same scene.
In the closing act. Miss Deane and Mr.
Bruce won especial recognition for their
duet
That remarkably little woman and
remarkably big singer, Miss Lane. was
seen To perhaps greater advantage than
In anything she has done this season
This may. however, be but an impression
that Is inevitable in observing a come
dienne and a singer Of such unusual tai
ents that the oftener seen the more
impressive they become
IL was Miss Deane. however who had
her especial opportunity, the part OF the
gypsey being about the first really strong
and sympathetic role that has been so
far found for this fine contralto and bril-
liant Coincidence. She was stunning
both tn voice and action last evening,
and 10 hear her was alone worth the
price OF seat in the house
After Mascot" it may be observed
that, for a first performance a. least, the
Williams company presents grand opera
rather more successfully than. II does the
comic operas, OF which the Mascot" Ia
an extreme example. The explanation IS
OF course. found in the fact that the
comany Is considerably richer In singing
talent than II Is In acting comedians
This Is TO be regarded as fortunate. too
hear In an opera. after all.
And again. the principals and chorus
demonstrate previous familiarity with
most OF the operatic music. whereas to |
work up the business" OF the comedians
In piece that depends more on filling |
time with speciality work than on the |
composers score. requires more rehearsals !
than are possible.
These observations refer to the COM |
pany as a whole Williams the |
genius OF the big enterprise. Is an excep- !
uon. He Is the sort OF a trained. all
around artist that IL makes small diff !
ference whether he is TO sing or to act. |
60 be tragic or to be comic, to prompt the |
prfma donna or take the place OF the |
chorus-he is there. a remarkable stage /
manager. remarkable actor
And with splendid piece like ''n TROY /
store' sung and acted as II was last even /
ing. music lovers could easily take a week
of II without change OF bill.
.ss
For the NTH week OF the opera season
at the Providence Opera house Balfe's
opera. The Bohemian Girl" will be
given by the Williams Opera company.
The performance this week promises TO
be an admirable one. An excellent cast
Is announced and Miss Clara Lane. an
artist In every sense OF the word. with
D clear and true soprano voice. Is TO be
the airline. alternating with Miss Laura
Wallace, who made a favorable impress
sion last week as Betinna I'm the Mas
cot" Mr.. J. X. Murrays fine baritone
should be heard 10 advantage In the part
OF Count di Luna. Miss Annie Deane
whose nne acting and excellent singing
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