Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-23
BALFE OPERA
WE'LL LIKED
BOHEMIAN GIRL" PRESENTED
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
ANNIE BAUMANN SINGS AIRLINE
ON SHORT NOTICE
Miss Aida Hemmi Too III to Appear
and Local Singer Takes the
Role Pending Her Re-
covery

Balfes tuneful romantic opera of The
Bohemian Girl was presented on the
stage of the Los Angeles theater last
night under difficulties. Miss Aida Hemmi
remained in her hotel under physician
care and the role of Airline was sung
by Miss Annie Baumann, formerly OF
Fjscher's theater Moreover, Carl Hayon,
whom the management had hoped woulo
arrive In time to sing Thaddeus, has not
vet reached the city and consequently
Eugene Weiner sang the role On top OF
this. Fred Rogers, cast as Florestine,
went >out to East Hollywood yesterday
afternoon, was delayed by street car
tieup. finally started for the theater in
an, automobile which broke down after
half of the distance had been traverseu
and arrived on the stage at just $40, ten
minutes after the curtain should have
been rung up on the first act. 1t was
neither Friday, nor the thirteenth; but 1t
was hoodoo night again at the Los AM
geles.
Miss Baumann Scores Success
Despite these difficulties, however, the
meIodious old opera was given an enjoy
able presentation and the large audience
present had little of which to complain.
Miss Baumann, who jumped into the try
| ing role of Airline with very little prep
aration, naturally displayed nervousness
| in the opening act, but as the opera pro.
gressed the audience applauded her ef-
| forts. and the result was a performance
which, all things considered, was highly
| creditable. Miss Baumann has sweet
voice. of no great power to be sure, but
| Of pleasing quality and effective In the
| lighter passages. In her solos she was
somewhat uncertain, as might have been
expected, but in the ensemble numbers,
and notably in the second act quartet,
'.From the Valleys and the Hills" she
was at her best. Moreover her singing
of al preamt That 1 Dwelt in Marble
Hallsv amply merited theNapplause it re-
| ceived,
Mn Weiner, too, seemed quite at home
| In the role of Thaddeus and sang the part
| better than he has sung anything in
| which he has been heard here. THE Fair
Land of Poland was given with fne
effect and his duets with Miss Baumann
were we'll rendered.
The musical laurels Of the night, how
ever. were carried away by Arthur Cum
ningham as Count Arnheim, whose sing
| ing of THE Heart Bowed Down" proved
| a distinct treat Miss Beatty sang the
queen effectively and acted the role as
| we'll as she sang it. Kunkel was a
| humorous Devilshoof,N though not up TO
the musical requirements of the part. His
| fOOlery IN tne tUlTu ACT Was ihuSi Gil
| joyed by the audience
"A Los Angeles Quartet
1 The chorus was increased last night by
the addition of four Los Angeles girls.
| The ensemble numbers were given with
i spirit and with good musical quality.
There are several absurdities in the
: staging of the opera which should os
!, remedied. For instance, no gypsy bant
ever presented so large a proportion o.
! very blonde young women as does this
one and the display of diamonds made
by Miss Raymond as Buda in the firs
} act is decidedly out of place. Some day
/ Miss Raymond will have those 'jewels'
stolen, and then, If her press agent is
/ persuasive, she may get her name into
| the papers.
1.-THE Bohemian Girl will continue
| through the week. 1t is hoped that Miss
| Hemmi may be able to resume her part
| of Airline tonight-her trouble is only a
| severe cold-but if she does not do SO
| Miss Baumann will continue in the role.
Miss Baumann, by the way, formerly
was in, the San Francisco chorus. She
retired from the stage few months ago,
| following her marriage to Los Angeles
man, but her success last night led Man
ager Healy to make her an offer which
! she has accepted, and she will join the
| company when the San Franciscans leave
here for the north. provided the suave
| Healy is able to square matters" with
| her husband, who is now away from
wife's return to the footlights.