The Washington herald., 1910-05-10
LAST NIGHT AT THE
LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
THE NEW NATIONAL.
Aborn opera Company in "EI CaPi.
fun"

AbOrn Opera Company In "EI Capt.
tan"
Charles Klein and John Philip Sousa's
famous march opera. "El Captain" was
the one selected TO open the second week
OF the stay Of the Aborn opera Company
at the National last night AS on the
! first night last week. there was a large
and enthusiastic audience on hand TO vel
come the return OF several old f9vorites
and TO applaud the work of The entire
company.
! The opera presented last night was first
put on by De Wolf Hopper several years
ago-so long ago in fact that most Of the
airs. with the exception Of the two Sousa
marches. have probably left the memory
OF the public.
/ But the manner in which they were re-
vived last evening seemed to please ex-
/ ceedingly and every number received its
| fun share OF the applause and praise In
/ fact the finale Of the second act, with the
stirring march. The stars and Stripes
Forever" sung by Miss Ada Meade, with
the assistance OF the entire company
created a scene Of wild enthusiasm and
the singers were forced 10 respond to
numerous encores.
The plot of the opera concerns the ef-
forts Of Don Medigua 70 hold the office
Of Viceroy of Peru against the machina-
tions OF the former holder Of this Of
hce-Doa Cazarra-and the band Of rev.
| olutionists under him. To do this he takes
the disguise Of FL Captain, famous
| brigand. whose praises he has had sound
/ cd for some time previous. The compli-
cations that follow are too numerous 70
mention, but all ends happily for all
! concerned, in true comic opera fashion.
| The music of the opera is much above
the average-at times approaching the
lighter of the grand operas. Especially
IS this true OF IsabeIs solo in the second
and the duet in the third act, sung by
Isabel and Verrada her lover. The for
mer particularly pleased the house with
it's sweetness and beauty. and the man
ner in which Miss Meade rendered it left
little 20 be desired Then, too. there are
the two stirring march songs. "El Capt.
tan" and THE Stars and Stripes For
ever" and several waltz songs. TO say
nothing Of the numerous comic and en-
selnble numbers.
In the title role was a favorite OF other
seasons, Robert Lett. who added 10 the
llaurels he has earned IN the past by HIS
delineaton Of the fear-struck governor Of
Peru. His makeup was a copy Of the
famous one Of De Wolf Hoppers. and his
Interpretation Of the great amount OF
comic business that fell 10 his part was
excellent lie had several songs. among
them, Behold in Ne, "Tra-la-la," and
"Adieu 10 Care all OF which he de-
livered well.
TWO more old favorites who were warm
ily welcomed last night were Carrie Rem
olds and Huntingdon May the former
having the part OF Estrelda. the soubrette
and the latter that Of her lover, Scaram-
ba. Miss Renolds. her admirers were
pleased 10 observe. has lost none OF her
ability 10 dance or act, and her singing
especially IN For Your Country and It's
Glory" and the tropical piece. The
Typical Tune Of Zanzibar" which she
gave in company with Lett and MAY, wa,
entirely up 10 the standard. Huntington
Mays voice was heard 70 the best ad
vantage in ITO BE a Perfect Soldier
and~in the trio mentioned above.
Miss Ada Meade, the prima donna o.
! last week had the same role in thi.
; production, but there was unfortunately
. much less for her 10 do Gthers whC
; pleased in the performance were HAITI,
2 Arnold. sol Solomon. John r. Phillips
and Harry LleweIlyn. The chorus worl
Ia the ensemble was excellent and tht
/ costuming and stage settings well though
out and executed