New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-30
"PINAF0RE" REVIVED
Famous Gilbert and Sullivan
Opera at the Casino.

". : Gilbert has passed-he died vester
day-but the operas that he wrote in con-
junction with STR Arthur Sullivan still live
n is a strange coincidence that perhaps the
most popular Of all HIS works should have
been revived at the Casino Theatre last
night-on the very day OF his death
Old paygOers will remember the frenzied
wears Of the later 70's and the sos. when
Pnafore' was a craze played by scores
Of companies. professional and amateur
throughout this country.
Last nights performance Of the opera
was a credtable one, and in spite Of the
fact that the price OF seats had been raised
TO a Metropolitan Opera House scale a
large audience was present 10 enjoy the
rich satire Of the book and the tuneful
music OF the score The production is de
serving Of praise more because Of its uni
form excellence OF staging. mounting. cos
tuning and chorus than for any brilliancy
OF the cast. Neither in personality nor in
dramatic or vocal ability were there indf-
yidua triumphs. In fact, there was me-
diocrty in these essentials that many
lovers or the opera regretted. Certain i'm
proyements Will be made however. as the
players become more enamoured OF their
parts.
To Miss Louise Cunning fell the part Of
Josephine. the captains daughter. Miss
Cunning sang al times in excellent voice
but she varied much in her quality Of
tone Her best notes seemed 20 be the
high ones when they we're sung without
an effort 20 secure volume. At times Miss
Cummings tones seemed TO be swallow cd
"a ef.-
atty she was wnsome. but she did not at
any time suggest Giibert's idea of the
daughter Of an English navy officer
Henry T.. Dixey didn't quite get under
the skin Of the Right Hon Sir Joseph
Porter K. G. 3 He seemed 70 lapse from
the part. particularly during the monlert ~
when he was not speaking but vet was
supposed 70 be q part Of the picture. His
cutting up In the early part Of the second
act seemed 70 meet with the cordial ap-
I provsl Of the audience
De Wolf Hopper was realistic Dick
| Deadeve, who. n will he remem bered said
Of himself II know I'm unpleasant 70
look AZ and my name Is agin me- but I'm
not as bad as look Mr. Hopper was
always horrible in appearance and some
/ times FUNNY. Eugene Covles was success
/ ful in tho role Of Bill Bobstav the boat
! swain re was IN excellent voice and
! acted with some idea or how a tar should
act fIs singing Of He Remains an Eng
! llshman' was particularly we'll done and
was enthusiastically applaudsd
/ George J MacFarane vas good as car
tain Corcoran. and Marie Cshil did pell as
/ Little Buttercup. Arthur Aldridee a robust
/ English tenor was the Ralph Racksrraw
] he sang with more volume than sweetness
although his tone was pleasant when he
did not force his voice
The chorus was pleasing In appearance
| End sang very effectively
some ~ the satire ~ "Pinafore' Is not
80 effective IN these days as II was SONS
thirty years ago. but the witty reflections
on rank. pomp and artificial thought and
rfe Is still refreshing
The music ~ sir Arthur sullivan sounded
as delightful rs ever. No cast can spot
"pinatore" u has been subjected 10 mor'
m treatment perhaps than any other opera
ever uritten IN English VET ~ lives to-day
a virile and lovely thing
CAST OF 'PINAFoRE"
rr- Firn, Hon. Sir Joseph Porter <. G
c,p,ain Corcoran ....... George MacFarlsn
palph Rackstrap .....t.t.....- arthur Aldr.ds
MEX psaaA.>--..-......--.. De Not hcpp.