Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-25
THE SERENADE'
CLEVERLY DONE
CALlFORNIANS SEEN TO GOOD
ADVANTAGE IN 1T
Even Though Rough In Spots, the
Lovely Opera Is Delightful Treat
and When Perfected Will
Be Admirable

Tf II he true that blessings brighten
"a they take their flight" and the con-
verse be also true, that as they flee
blessings are brightest, then there Is
exclamation why so many OF the larse
audience which assembled 10 near .ne
Californians sing the immortal opera
SrThe Serenade." in the Auditorium last
,,igh+ went away with keen regret, atter
evbausting both themselves ana the
company with their applause. For they
felt the utmost sorrow that thls seasoii
of most happy music is so soon 10 emu,
inst too. when it is becoming perlect
in all it's details.
"The Serenade" followed Roplil
Hood" in the original repertoire Oh tnat
greatest of American opera companies
a. postonians. and hence it was fitting
that it come in the same sequence i WIN
+be Rostonians' successors. 1t is work
Of nerhaps not the same high grace
musically as Is the former, put IL mas
even greater elements of popularity NO
musician of whatever skill or lack OF IL
nowadays fails to play the ara tnat
gives name to the work, TO nun OF
drum "Andulasia," to whistle 09Plo
and l." or to make a stagger at W.
man. Lovely Woman" In fact, tne
whole opera is packed with what may
he termed without reproach to asy one'
"iingIv'' music, and thus 1t Is on
asis of familiarity which cannot be
seid of robin Hood" much loVeo as
that work Is. Hence, with this strong
anpeal to the strictly non-muslcal Grass
speaking technically now-Ine ser
enade" will be even more sure TO attract
than did the former and 1t nolus tne
saason,s record. 1t will be almost
crime If this opera does not run Iii 'Aie
Californians leave us.
1t is never real justice to pass on the
rendition of a new opera by new com
nany on the strictly musical pasls OIL d
first night. OF course no criticism OF
comment as to the merits or deInerlts
of the opera itself is here referred TO
IT has long since become standard. but
reference is had to the manner or lts
handling by the company. Naturdlly
repertoire company that has just ten
davs in which to put on this really
stupendous work, which required eight
solid weeks of preparation in the hands
of the superbly trained Boston1ans, Will
not give q Bostonian rendition at nrSt
blush. That were to expect the lmpos-
sible. 1t is therefore in way IN poten-
tiality that this must be reviewed;
otherwise were to be hypercrltlcal ana
cruelty senseless. Therefore
All around and considering every
stage, is the best thing at correspond
ing period that this company has done.
This is not saying that 1t Is faultless;
that were equally preposterous; IL mas
flaws. and they are noticeable. But they
are not important or ineradlcaple ones;
they come of nervousness ana lack ol
rehearsal, though heaven knows hu-
mans could not stand more III given
time than did these faithful entertainers
and the usual hesitancy and lack OF
team work of an opening night. They
will wear away with practice, and by
Wednesday night this should be as per-
feet a performance as was Ropll
Hold" the last week of it's presentation
here Some of the slight boobies last
night came of mistaken cues; one was
wrong light manipulation and others
were simply mental ALTERATIONS. Nuhe
of them is likely to occur again;
snoothness will ensue when the singers
talk it over and regain confidence, and
most delightful week or two of this
prima favorite may be absolutely
counted upon.
OF the cast last night little but praise
may be said. Miss Aubert as Yvonne
may have seemed to some to lack arch
ness and volatility, their memories
Nielsen. but Miss Aubert gave to the
part a sweetness which atoned for 9TH
er lacks and doubtless will add the
chic and smart touches as she enters
more fully into it. Her vocaltzations
were excellent: Cupid and l" and
"Fair Adulasia'' were cleverly done in
the extreme. Miss Lucille Saunders
quite eclipsed herself and her singing
especially of the "Angelus" with the
grand organ accompaniment aroused
the house to a fine frenzy of applause.
Harry eastman was most unctuous
and humorous Duke of Santa Cruz, and
his "Woman, Lovely Woman" and the
aDreaming" song both made hits.
Richie Ling was absolute in the role
of Lopez, the bandit, and his hand
some face and figure showed to as fine
advantage as did his splendid voice
Leroy Jepson added new laurels to his
reputation as a comedian as Colombo
and F. ]. Waelder as Gomez was not
behind the rest. A good word also is
due several of the chorus members,
who stepped out of the ranks and took
smaller parts, among them being Rob-
ert Leonard, Grace Marvin, Charles
Dudley, Nigel de Brulier and James l..
Logan, while Arthur Albaum as the
ancestor was a character study of re-
markable excellence. Zoe Barnett did
the Mother Superior with credit, and
tiny Myrtle Dingwall again showed her
skill as a dancer by her Spanish steps
in the convent scene.
But after ALL what is "The Serenade"
V :thout the chorus? And wherein
shall adequate words be found to do
this splendid group of fresh young
voices credit? Girls and boys, our
hats are o.! to you; you are "the best
what is'