The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-08-01
THE / STAGE {
pErRoIr OPERA HOUSE.

Nc uEok- ntAIAub Va q o. SfSte,
In Detroit, 10 thing sufficiently rare
TO be OF moment. but when that pre-
mier In given by summer opera CON-
pany, AZ popular prices. II takes on
the aspect or a real curiosity, and as
such, attracted large audience to
the Detroit opera house. Monday eve
ming, when the Sheehan company pre-
scented Offenbach's Love Tales or
Hoffmann,- for the first time. In this
city. II was decidedly well-given, too,
and no one need be ashamed TO ac-
knowledge that he heard the opera for
the FIRST time by the Sheehan COM
pany and not by the metropolitan.
The work has been Immensely popu-
lar the past few years In the opera
going centers OF Europe and Ameri "a.
and Mr.. 6heehan was quick TO take
advantage OF It's vogue 90 present IL
In English to his admirers. II offers
splendid opportunity to a tenor, In the
title role OF Hoffman. to be In the CEN
ter OF the stage most OF the time. The
score gives him plenty OF solos and
altogether II Is very successful In pro-
viding star parts for others as well.
The Tales OF Hoffman," Is staged
I'm prologue. three acts and an epli-
1ogue. The first scene introduces the
'dissipated young poet, HOFFMAN,. In
the midst OF a revelry In a tavern. To
give fresh impetus to the gaiety some
one suggests that Hoffman, tell his
companions about his amours, to
which the poet finally agrees. The
curtain descends. to rise again, on the
first OF the love tales, whose heroine
a Olympia, a mechanical doll with
which the poet falls In love. believing
his inamorata to be q living. lovely
woman.
In the end. the poet learns the
trick played upon him and hastens
away to Venice to plunge into anoth-
or love affair.
The second tale is enacted Ia the
city OF canals. where = gay beauty.
Julietta. TO win q wager OF ring.
from one OF her suitors. lays siege to
Hoffmann's heart, and when the poets
devotion IL laid at her feet. she spdrns
him and goes away with another gal
liant Disguised with his experiences
In Italy, Hoffman, returns to his ma
tive Munich where he meets a great
singer. to whose charm OF voice and
person, he cepitulates. fhe singer
falls victim to consumption and Is
ordered never again To sing. In the
hope OF prolonging her life. A sinister.
Mephisto-like person, however, CON-
Ipels her to break her voice silence
and the shock kills her.
The three tales ended. each in It's
own tragic way, the scene returns TO
the tavern and the epilogue shows the
poet drinking more deeply than ever
to drown his memories. As the cur
tain descends. the muse Of poetry up
pears and tells Hoffman, that all
0arthly love must cease and bids him
devote his future life to becoming q
3great poet.
The story would lead ones magma
tion TO picture an esthetic and rather
forlorn-appearing poet. which in itself
d rather hard on Mr.. Sheehan, who Is
very embonpoint. entirely practical
and hearty-looking, and, despite the
gay reputation given him by the libret-
tst doesn't look bit naughty. While
he IL philandering with his loves. he
ps esrbed In satin knee breeches aud q
'weskit'' OF black and white stripes.
warranted to make every barber pole
hnpund the campus run to cover. He
sings the part lust grand" as one
loyal admirer expressed IL on the way
put. 90 with such praise. many cur
tain calls. resounoing applause and un-
ieniable satisfaction on the part Of the
audience, there Is nothing more to
be said.
Miss Gladys Caldwell more than
made apopular hit-she pleased the
music lover and the really critical, in
the part Of Olympia, the doll. and as
Antonia- She acted the part OF The
doll most cleverly and her first aria,
The Song Of Olympia" was asked for
he second time. She kept her voice
hs well as her facial expression and
general demenor. quite within the
character and was as charming and
pretty a golden-haired dollie as poet
bra little girl could find to love. In
he character OF Antonia, the singee.
she showed the audience her real
voice and q pretty, flexible and we'll
trained voice IL is. Everybody liked
Miss Caldwell, very. very much and
were glad to tell her SO In applause.
Miss De Sellem had the role of Mich
klausse. o youthful companion Of Hoff-
mann. whom she accompanies on his
love wanderings. Miss De Seliein was
IN attractive gallant, In blue satin
breeches and sang well.
Miss Harriet Case was the unfaith-
ful Julietta. To her and to Miss De
beilem fell the famous Bacarolle
which bids fair TO take It's place with |
Cavalleria Rusticana" intermezzo and
he other Elk best tunes.
sCharles Swickard was excellent as
Coppelius. In the doll ace. In which he |
lad a low comedy role; as Dappertuit- |
10, In the Venetian scene and as |
Dr. Miracle, the evil genius of An |
onia. In the last act. William Jorgen- |
en- did good bit Of work as Coch- |
nellie, the dolls footman. The other
nembers Of the cast were inoffenslvo. !
not remarkable.
The music OF the opera is melodius |
nd tuneful from the first to the last |
lote and the score abounds In we'll !
distributed solos for the various
Foices. The orchestra did excellent |
eryice under the companys capable
eader.
The staging was very good, quite a
pit Of stage carpentering being pro
ided for the Venetian scene.
The Tales OF Hoffman," as given |
by Mr.. Sheehan and his associates Is
good thing at cheap price and |
should be taken advantage Of along |
2NA IT.