The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-03-05
THE STAGE
eARRicK.

Ii only needs revivals Of the so-
called "old-timers" like III. NJ. ).
Pinafore," The Mikado" and Die
Fledermaus," TO show where the
writer's of operetta have
secured material, and this fact was
emphasized strongly, Monday eve
ming. in the Garrick. when Gilbert
and Sullivan's delightful satire on the
'navee' was given with a notable
cast. The theater was packed TO the
walls with an audience that included
grandpa and grandma and their
Youngest descendants able TO be out
of the nursery after 8 o'clock. Many
of those present had not heard
"Pinafore" since childhood days,
others only through amateur produc-
tons and the great majority not at all
previous to this particular perform
ance.
According to a program note, the
very first American production OF n.
NJ. S. Pinafore," the second opera
written by w. 8. Gilbert and Sir Ar
thur Sullivan, occurred In the Bos-
ton museum, Boston, Nov. 20, 1873,
with a cast composed OF the regular
members OF the museum stock COM
pany. The first English production
of this piece. destined TO become, per-
haps. the most-popular comic opera
ever written in the English language,
had taken place exactly six months
earlier in the Opera Comique, Lon
don, May %, 1878.
This Is interesting, as well as &C
curate information, in view OF the
present revival. AS given Monday
evening, in the Garrick, "Pinafore
seemed as fresh as the day II made
its first appeal TO the public. In lis
tenine TO it's wit and pretty melodies
one is hound 10 compare such genuine
worth with the triyialities of the en-
tertainmCnt that passes for opera IN
1912. Mr.. Gilbert was master at
satirical versifying, and mr. lyrics OF
'Pinafore" have point, meaning and
ttfffet, and SSsif. Arthur Sullivan wrote
notes to ut each word "Pinafore' is
Whimsical poke at certain condi-
tons OF class and caste in the
auecff.s ffavee@ that one does net
have to be a Britlsher TO appreciate.
The score is an amending ribbon OF
delicious melody, with plenty OF con.
certed numbers which abound in all
OF INC bilDtll anu ouliiNoh OPNho''
The present revival OF "Pinafore
is fortunate in having so excellent
company OF singers. The voices are
exceptionally fine and the good old
songs were given with a richness OF
yocalism and degree OF intelligence
that made the performance one long
to be remembered
Miss Josephine Dunfee sang Jo-
sephine in a manner TO place her
among the notable opponents OF that
famous role Possessed of clear
singing and speaking voice, Miss Dun
fee adds pleasing stage presence.
Her soprano voice has been we'll
trained and she gave an especially
grateful performance
The part OF Ralph Rackstraw, the
Jack tar lover of The gallant cap
tain's daughter surely never fell in
TO better or more capable hands than
those OF Arthur Aldridge. IL was a
10y 10 listen to Mr.. Aldridge's sing
ing His voice is fine robust tenor,
very pure In tone, and he uses II with
so much ease and distinction as to
mark him as one of the -YerY-best
singers heard i'm light opera. Indeed,
both Mr.. Aldridge and Miss Dunfee
aroused the suspicion that they were
accustomed TO grand opera work.
Big Eugene Cowles. as Bill Bob
stay. the bos'n, was another whose
voice anu popularity stood out
despite distinguished company. Long
and lanly DE Wolf Hopper, as Dick