The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1903-05-15
CHIMES OF
NORMANDY. "
Everything Running Smoothly
for the Greatest Local The
atrical Event Ever Under
taken In Columbia will
BE Presented Tuesday Night,
May 26.

Rehearsals for the big comic opera.
"Chimes of Normandy, are going
with fine results. The practice work
at the Opera House this week was
emlnently satisfactory. The chorus is
fast getting its work we'll In hand, and
those in the principal roles are doing
the same.
A Herald representative visit
ed the Opera House Tuesday night to
see how the opera is progressing. he
was surprised at the cleverness with
which the rehearsal work is being
done, and the people of Columbia are
going to be surprised, too, on next
Tuesday night when the opera is pre-
sented. Unquestionably it will be
the greatest theatrical event ever
undertaken in this city. 'Plnafore,
which scored such trem endous hat
last year when 1t was put on, will not
compare with the production OF the
''Chimes of Normandy. The chorus
OF the latter is far superior, both in
voice and Plumbers, and the principal
roles are stronger in ensemble. The
chorus is particularly fine. There are
a large number of fine voices in the
chorus and they bring out the ensem bles
magniticentiy. Besides, the parts, both
in the leading roles and the chorus.
will be far more deliberately dressed.
Special costumes have been ordered
from New York and the spectacular
effect promises to be one OF the
prettlest and most pleasing features of
the production. The lyrics of the
opera are exceedingly pretty, and
some of the scores will undoubtedly be
forced to respond to several encores.
In the first act, the "They Say song
OF Serpolette, Mrs. A. B. Rains and
the village maidens, Is one of the
prettiest songs in the opera. Another
song of Serpolette, entitled II May
Be Princess, is also very pretty. Mr..
Thatcher, in this act, has the very
popular and we'll known tenor solo,
''On Billow Rocking. He also sings
very pretty duet with Mrs. Forgey,
"'Twas But An Impulse. The
Legend OF tn. Bells by Mrs. Forgey
and chorus, is exceedingly beautiful.
and IS sure to score one of the hits OF
the evening. 1t is the prettlest chorus
air in the whole production. Prof.
Hutsell also has pleasing song In
this act, with JOY In My Heart =
The first act closes with male chorus,
THAN Us You II Not Find Better.
Act II opens with a pretty chorus,
"Let Our Torches Light Up the
Gloom which Is followed by one OF
the catchiest things In the opera, trio
BY Mrs. Rains, Messrs Thatcher and
Aakisson, "I'll Shut My Eyes. . Then
comes Dick Adklsson, the big basso,
in the great tuffo song, 'Oh Dear
On Dear" The solo of Mr.. Hutsell
and the chorus, in "Silent Heroes, > is
one of the prettiest pieces of music in
the opera. Jesse Gray Is going to
make hit IN his part. He handles
it like an old time comedian.
In the third and last act the best
pieces Will be THE Cider Song, > by
Serpolette and chorus solo by Mr..
Thatcher, THAT Night I'll Meier
Forget duet by Mrs. Forgey and
with the chorus of THE Legend OF the
Bells.
The book or the opera has some very
,prightly comedy. Jesse Gray Will
have probably the most humorous part,
man. Of his lines being very funny.
And Jesse delivers them In real
comic way, TOO. Il
Prof. Hutsell in the difficult role of
'Hemi, Marquis of Cornersville, y has
, fine part and 1t fits him pat 1t is
,ne of the heaviest singing parts in
the opera. II Is the bari tone role and
'equires a voice of great compass and
,uIture to carry 1t Mr.. Hutsell, how
ever does 1t admirably, as might be
He has never disappointed an
audience yet. As "DicK Dead Eye,
in the presentation OF Pima,
IRE 4" be achieved quite triumph and
won high encomIums. A singer
from Nashville had been cast for that
ole, but two days before the opera
vas to be presented, the Nashville
singer sent notice that he could not
,om g, ana Mr.. Hutsell took the part
IN two days NOTICE. Those who fad
'een the pera years ago. however,
y hen 1t WAS on the road, said he gave
he best Dead. Eye " they had ever
een. Prof. Hutsell, as director of
n usic in the city public schools, has
lone the best work that has ever been
lone, and the music department has
,een eminently successful since his
connection with the school IL is
to know that he has been
secured for next year. He Will leave !,
hortiy after the presentation Of the
,pera for Chicago. where ne Will spend
he summer studying music and vocal
WITH one of the leading musicians OK
hat city. He will return mere in
he fall.