River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-03-04
SYLVIA"


under the auspices of the ladies of
the Congregational church, the
students of Miss Harriet Adeline
Hale of Saint Paul, presented the
charming operetta, Sylvia. The
Opera Hall was packed to the doors
by an appreciative and attentive
audience and the unanimous ap-
plause which greeted each singer,
and the many encores attested to
the enjoyment of the listeners.
The plot of the play hinges on the
exchange of lovers by a court lady
and a country maiden, who by the
aid of a magic flower, cause their
lovers to be blind to the fact that
their ladies are not the ones they
usually WOO. After a variety of ex-
periences the two ladies tire of the
change and long for their first
loves, and each joins her sweetheart.
The prince meanwhile, has learned
of the affair and determines TO eX-
pose them to the court, but all ends
we'll and the expose is not made.
The cast of characters included
those of Miss Hale's pupils who so
delighted a River Falls audience
last spring. Miss Cora Winston, as
Lady Sylvia, was in excellent voice
and acted her part to perfection.
Her clear sweet tones and vivacity
of manner won for her mach APP
plause. Miss Nina Johnson, as
Betty, the farmers daughter, was
royalty received and was one of the
favorites of the evening. Miss
Johnson is the possessor of a con-
tralto voice Of marvellous richness
and a depth of sweetness rarely
heard. She was, perhaps, the most
natural in her acting, of any of the
Mr.. Frank Crabtree, the
court poet, sang with an ease and
finish which was very pleasing and
it was with regret that one noticed
that his name was not among those
included in the program for the in
PERMISSION between the two acts
George Conrad took the part of
the farmer, and one could
smell the hayfelds when he came
on the stage, so we'll was he made
up for the part. He rendered sew
eral baritone solos during the course
Of the play. Prince Toby Tum,
Charles Baker, was undoubtedly the
"hit" of the evening so far as the
acting was concerned. Mr.. Baker
kept the audience in laughter every
moment he was in sight. He has
very fine ability as an actor and has
that pleasing capability of forgetting
in the performance of his
part. Misses Mary Diether, Mar
garet Jones, and Eva Muckle, friends
of Betty, sang many pretty chorouses
in connection with the solo parts of
the stars. Miss Mary MacKnight
and Miss Irene Kemp sang solos
during the intermission which were
of unusual merit. Miss Kemp was
at her best in her rendition of Nevin's
Woodpecker, a selection which
brought out the sweetness and the
rare range of her voice. Mr.. Josef
Roth rendered the "Bedouin Love
Song" by Buck, and responded to
the hearty applause with a we'll
chosen selection. Mr.. Roth S voice,
a rich baritone, shows much cultiva-
ton and hard work, and it is great
pleasure to hear him sing.
The home talent numbers were
received with rounds of applause.
Mr.. Fred Ramer sang two very fine
baritone solos, but refused the
audiences demand for more. The
ovation of the evening was given to
Miss Campbell who rendered several
short selections. Professor Wright
was in excellent voice and favored
the audience with a fine selection.
In response to the applause he sang
one of the pleasing encores which
he always has ready for the demands
of his hearers. Other River Falls
singers took parts in the chorus of
farm lads, and lassies, among them:
Misses Ethel Houston, Marie
RICHTER, Erma Bliss, Bessie Buck,
Cole Winter, Cora Bulman, Adeline
Cornish, Constance Norseng, Leone
Mcclure; and Messrs. Harry Rey-
nolds, Archie Shepard, Jay Trues-
dell, Guy Owen, Earle Whitcomb,
and Bert Hamilton.
Seats for Gillian, extra number
of Peoples Lecture Course, Satur-
day.
Mrs. l. w. Switzer of Minneapolis
is visiting at the home of Rev. and
Mrs. F. w. Harris.