The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-17
At St. Paul Theaters

In The Yankee Consul" presented
in st. Paul for the first time at the
Metropolitan last night, Henry NJ.
Blossom Jr. and Alfred G. Robyn have
contributed legitimate comic opera
10 the American stage The libretto bv
Mr.. Blossom, the author of Checkers,
is literally Sprinkled with genuine
witticisms and bright repartee, while
the lyrics are characterized by a pleas
ing rhythm, to which the music is hap
PLY welded. Indeed the score does
credit to Mr.. Robyn, a composer of
undoubted merit, whose orchestration
is notable feature of the opera.
To Raymond Hitchcock, in the role
of the American consul in a Santo
Domingo town, are allotted the clever
est lines and some of the catchiest
music. He does justice to both, for
while in no sense a trained vocalist
Mr.. Hitchcocll's voice is tuneful and
sympathetic, two qualities essential to
even the funny man of comic opera.
This impersonation of the Yankee con-
sui is far better and funnier than the
same actors King Dodo, as Abijah
Booze is real live, up to date Ameri-
can. instead of a mythical monarch of
an imaginary domain, and of neces-
S1ty grOteSque nondeScript. Hitch
cocks methods are of the quiet sug-
geStive kind, characteristic in a way of
the late Sol Smith Russell, though in
no sense initiative of that rare enter
tainer. His two songs, I'm Old New
York and "Aint 1t Funny What a
Difference Just Few Hours Make"
were delivered with an Irresistible rel
ish that lesser player might easily
have missed. Both melodies are ex-
ceptlonally tuneful for songs allotted
TO the comedian. as was frequently
noticeable in the songs of the come
dianS in Gilbert and Sullivan's operas
Hitchcocks sharply defined, angular
features. expressive eyes and all mean
ing smile are effective adjuncts that
ADD color to every scene in which he
participates.
But sparkling score, bright lines
and clever comedian will not make
comic opera go if they are not ade
quately surrounded, interpreted and
supported. 1t is a pleasure to record
that these conditions exist in this per-
formance. The principals are all suffi-
clent, the chorus is most attractive TO
the eye and sings as we'll as it looks.
artistic, If not of the highly ornate or
der OF extravaganza. The costumes
are varied. tasteful and beautiful.
A richly humorous, unctuous por-
trayal-a companion character to the
Yankee consul-is that of the bounti-
IuI Donna Teresa, Rebera Uruburu,
capltally played by Eva Davenport
whose mellow contralto and capacity
Tor DurleSque form a most amusing
combination. A woman of ample pro-
portions latitudinally, and of highly
expressive countenance, and possess
ing Keen conception of the ludicrous,
Miss Davenport contributed much TO
the enjoyment of the opera. What a
Lady Jane in Patience she would
make! With Bonita (F'lora Zabelle)
and Papinta (RoSe BottD, Miss DaVen-
port participated in a trio entitled I'VE
Were Taught to Walk Demurely,"
which is the character gem of the
opera. 1t was repeatedly and deserv-
edly encored.
Miss zabelle and Miss Botti are both
pretty women of the brunette type,
graceful and animated and possessing
an abundance of chic
The masculine contingent is entirely
satisfactory. Albert Parr, the Ameri-
can navy officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Morrell, displayed ringing
tenor of musical quality; William
Danforth was quite acceptable as the
clustering governor of Puerto Plata;
Joseph p. Ratliff, a sufficiently mar
tial Capt. Leopoldo of the Dominican
army, and j. E. Hazard exhibited a
1unny Teutonic dialect as the gov
ernor's secretary.
The ensembles, comprising assem-
blages of Spanish students, mosquito
girls, senoritas, Spanish dancers and
soldiers presented constantly changing
pictures glowing with light, life and
color.
Among the melodious numbers not
hitherto mentioned are the military
duet between Capt. Leopoldo and
Papinta, with chorus, I'D Like to Be
Soldier THE Mosquito and the
Midge," by Papinta and chorus; MY
San Domingo Maid" Bonita and
chorus; I'VE Come of Castilian Blood"
male part song by Capt. Leopoldo
and triple quartette of soldiers, whose
voices blended beautifully, and In
Days of Old" by Abijah Booze-Mr.
Hitchcock and chorus, the catchiest
composition in the opera. F. G. H.