Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-03
COMIC OPERA "PINAF0RE"
Will Be Rendered by Grants Pass
Choral Union.

Inc COMIC opera, IL. W. .. iua-
fore, will be presented by the Grants
Pass Choral Union on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings, March 10 and l6,
at the opera house. Rehearsals are
now being held twice a week and the
members of the musical organization
are working hard and effectively for
a first class entertainment.
"Pinafore" is production so old
that it is new again. Those who
have heard the piece do not require
information as to the ringing, melo-
dious nature of the choruses or the
exceptional beauty of many of the
solos, duets, trios and quartets.
"Pinafore" is bdrlesque. The
scene is laid on the deck Of British
warshiL; the male actors arc British
sailors and the ladies are relatives
of the admiral of the navy, accom-
panying him ON his visit of inspect
ion.
An interesting plot is one of the at
tractors of the piece. Josephine,
the captains daughter is beloved by
Ralph Raokstraw, a common sailor
She reciprocates the tender sentiment,
but her pride will not allow her to
accept suitor so lowly born. She is
also sought in marriage by Sir Joseph
Porter, the admiral of the navy,
whom she esteems and reverences, but
cannot love. She is urged to this
union by her father, the captain.
Rackstraw and his fellow sailors,
stirred by utterances of Sir Joseph,
decide that British sailor is as coed
as any other man, and Ralph decides
that he will .'speak out" to Jose
phine. In this resolve he is encour-
agsd by all his mates except one,
Dick Deadeye, who throws cold
water on the scheme and considers ii
improper. Ralph avows his love to
Josephine who haughtily rejects him,
to the undisguised glce of Deadeye.
Ralph then draws pistol with evil
dent intent to blow out his brains,
bis mates standing by to SEQ him do it.
But Josephine rushes forth in recita'
tive, "Ah, stay your hand. love
you"
Ralph and Josephine, accompanied
by the sailors, prepare to elope. bu,
are foiled by Deadeye, who informs
the captain. That gentleman "comei
down upon" the party in great wratl
in which he makes use of expressions
which shock the sensitive ear of Sil
Joseph, who orders the captain to his
cabin. without waiting for any ex
planation But when he learns thai
Ralph is carrying away Josephine, hC
also is stirred with anger and consigni
the unhappy sailor to a dungeon. Al
this point Little Buttercup," {
gipsy "bumboat" woman, who love-
the captain, and has been snubbed by
him as being below his rank, makel
the disclosure that Ralph and the
captain had been mixed up whel
babies and that leach was 'tother ,
Those parties again re-enter, Ralpl
attired as captain and the captain al
sailor. Josephine, as the daughte
of common sailor, is now too fa
below Sir Joseph's station in life anr
he gives her to Ralph, but mourns hi
unhappy, lonely lot. Cousin Hebe
who has been at Sir Joseph's elbov
throughout the play, announces her
self as a candidate to fill the vacancy
and Sir Jos phi accepts the condition
after some hesitation. The degrade,
captain solaces himself with "Littl
Buttercup" and all is serene.
The lady soloists are Mrs. W. W
Walker as Josephine, Miss Edna Par
ker as Little Butteroup, and Mrs
Bert Barnes as Cousin Hebe. Th
male soloists are II. l.. Andrews a
tue captain, T. p. Cramer as 81
Joseph Porter, George Cramer a
Ralph Rackstraw, A. f. Voorhies a
Dick Deadeye, and j. M. Booth a
the boatswain. " The chorusos wi!
be swelled by some 90 voices. Al
important adjunct to tue performlnc
will be the orchestral accompaniment
The orchestra will be composed 0
about dozen pieces and the member
are now rehearsing with the chorus
The costumes will be picturesque an
appropriate. On the second night
performance, for the benefit Of visi
tors from the valley towns, the pla
will begin sharply on time and clos
in season for the visitors to take tn
night train to their homes if the
so wish. 1t is expected that a goo
many will be present from Ashland
Medford, Jacksonville and Gold Hi
and this arrangement is made fC
! their convenience.
5 "Pinafore" is full Of mirth provol
5 ing situations and there is not du
moment in it. The musical numbe
i are interpersed with amusing di
logue which prevents all possibilt'
( of monotony aud also assists in Il
development Of the plot. The who
piece is lively. Many Of the numbe
call for the exercise Of high quail
Of vocal talent and lovers Of mus
a will find in "Pinafore" satisiactit
a and enjoyment