Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-20
Burns and Favor's Opera
Scores a Big Hit.
Spark'es With Fun, Catchy
Songs and Pretty Costumes.
Given Under Auspices of Unitarian,
VIII Be Repeated, To,naht.

f-N'l!b"lN WAS AT the Onpra housa
last evening. that is, everybody VII,
could gel seat, to see the fret of
series of two productions of Rr,r,, g
Favors f:trcial opera. King Ponno, :,
which is produced under the ausn;oa.
OF tn hltaflah Society of this civ
and t. say that everybody WIS nleasaJ
with it would be stating the case vnr,,
mildly. king Pepper WAS ~iven H..
initial production. last season. at tho
Coliseum, in Gardiner. beinr n,a,nd
Two nights To large houses ana those
VIII" saw it then were most enthusiasts
tic i'll their praise.
1t was the same. last evening. OF
course. many operas have been seen in
the city. in the lighter vein. soma IF
the best. and others of the interp,a-
date grades, but King Pepper with
its wealth of fun, its catchy music
and its richness Of stage settings ana
c"siumin%, Will certainly rank with tn !
good ones. And when it is considered
that the opera is the first attempt on
tie part of the composers, its excellence
is the more remarkable
The OHcra is thi composition of two
Gardiner young men. \. J. Burns and
Edward p. Favor. Mr.. Burns writing
the book and lyrics. and Mr.. Favor
looking after the musical composition.
The stnr' of the opera is as follows:
y few years ago a king, Pepper
by name, ruled an island. Where ,
Well in the moon. This old monarch.
although addicted t. drink, was much
loved by all his subjects; but drink.
like other vices. becomes obnoxious.
hence his downfall. Prince Harold. 4
relative IF the King and pretender to
the throne. did al in his power to halD
/ in this movement. as he is next in line
for throne. Prince Harold was not
only in love with Queen Mace Per,nr.
bat with Bertha. the first of the
Queens six maids. capt. Benefictinn.
captain of the Kings Guard. ALTHOUGH
il symna;hy with Prince Harold. begs
Of the Moon people in his familiar way
. ta little tipsyl to let their acts be done
POLITELY.
Prof. Mars, the court astrologer. and
loyal subject Of the King tells him that
/ the Queens in love with the Prince,
! and that the Prince is also in love with
| Bcrtina. and that everybody and every
! thing in general is against him. The
| King cannot credit these stories, but
| Prof. Mars insists and continues tell
! ing King Pepper the Earth had sig
! nailed him through the telescope. and
/ should he. the King, take the trip to
Earth and remain n while. on his re-
turn he would be received with pomp
| and show. and his reign would be ever
| lasting. King Pepper. after consider
| ing the matter decides to make the
! Journey with his guard in panoply, and
a few of mis- trusted subjects.
! The Moon people join in the fare
well. The royal marty arrive on Earth
! at the Fair Grounds at Lewiston. Me,
| where such unusual scenes are to the
| MoonerS surprise. There they see
! horse racing, fakirs, country people.
/ bcotha"kS, jockeys and many other
peopla and things such as they had
never seen before The royal party is
received ostentatiOusiy. and the old
King IS much pleased The Queen with
| her six raaids and Prince Harold. ar
rive on Earth in some indescrihabla
! way appearing at Tho Fair Grounds III
| disguise. Queen Mace takes the King
aside aud explains all matters satisfar-
| torily, ANA he says. The memories Of
her youth that have awakened in h"r
| leaves no room for doubt"
King Pepper, Queen Mace Pcpp r
and party remain on Earth. Whilr
| Prince Harold. the new King, ana
| Bertha, the new Queen, are requested
| TO return to the Moon. Peace is rc-
stored on the island, IN the heart of
| Prince Harold and in the mind of King
| Pepper, who is satisfied to remain on
| Earth.
The on"ra, as presented. last even
ing, was the same as given at Gardiner.