Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-13
AMUSEM EN1S.
Aborn Opera Company Delights Odeor
Audience With Baife Masterpiece.

/ For the second time within less than
| year a large Marsha!ltown audience
! heard the Aborn Opera Company sing
/ Balfes masterpiece, The Bohemian
Girl at the OGeon Wednesday night.
AS was the case last season the pro-
duction was most artistic and fully
satisfying. A few changes among the
principals Of the cas-, over last season
did not deter in the least from the high
character of the stellar roles.
Il is wonderfully refreshing 10 sit out
All evening With suct! music as is af-
forded in this Uncle Toms Cabin" of
the opera, especially after listening all
season to the twaddle that is passed off
under the name of music. Instead of
going away with nothing that can be
retained IN the musical corner Of ones
memory, there are lasting impressions
made by The Bohemian Girl that re-
call childhood days when mother
voice at the melodian sang i Dremt l
Dwelt in Marble Halls
The old-tine opera that has now
lived TO the allotted three score years
and ten of man. and is just as popular
as when first produced, and probab bly,
more SO. Il has been rnodernized, to be
true, but the same old melodies remain.
The undermining has tended TO main
tain popularity, but in the moderniza-
! non the producers are compelling those
VINO seek the spectacular to absorb a
love for truly good music. That is why
The pig. the goose, the chicken, and the
monkey are brought into the scene OF
gypsy life; that is why the horses are
given so prominent part: that is why
the Hassan troupe Of Arabic tumblers
are introduced into the fair scene TO
perform some Of the most wonderful
acgobstic stunts Imaginable. These
/ modern features all conserve the popu-
la-ity and yet do not detract from the
more artistic parts of the opera.
Blanche Morrison soprano. was a again
seen in the title role Of Airline. Miss
/ Morrison displayed most finished
voice. under perfect control. but lack
ing in breadth and fullness Of tone. Her
/ best colo number was her opening
piece, Il Dremt l Dwelt in Marble
/ Halls" Claudia Albright sang the con-
Iralto role Of the gypsy queen with fine
/ expression. and her Bliss Forever
Past when she bemoans the loss Of
/ Thaddeus, was perhaps as fine thing
/ unsteady as there is in the opera. Miss
( Albright's voice is rich and full, and
her lower tones are especially good.
/ James Stevens sang the barytone role
of Count -Arnheirl with fire effect, and
his The Heart Bowed Down. another
gem Of the opera. was most artistic
Harry Luckstone sang this role so vel
last season. but the character has los,
nothing thru Mr.. Stevens interpreta-
ton.
John r. Phillips again appeared mos,
pieasingiy as Thadd+us, the tenor role
! His Then You'll Remember Ne" was
splendid.
The basso role of Devilshoof. ths
gypsy chief, vas in the hands of JOSEPH
Florian instead of George Shields, who
! was here last season. Mr.. Florian ha.
a magnificent voice, which was shown
TO excellent advantage in the quartz
number, BY Hills and Valleys" witt
Misses Morrison and Albright and Mr.
Phillips. The quartet number made G
distinct hit
| The Aborns have furnished a won
derful setting for their Offering and {
fine chorus. beautiful scenery. an,
splendid orchestration were in perfec
harmony with the production.
Many people from out of town tool
advantage of the opportunity ito heal
the opera, and contributed material,
to making up the fine audience tina
witnessed the production.