Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-23
Belasco.

l Lie singing 0oSietS w
served every bit of the generous ap-
plause bestowed by the audience last
night at the Belasco Theater for its
delightful presentation of Flotow's
| beautiful opera Martha" and if. at Its
close, it had been possible for both
| audience and players to have added an
| additional ovation for Albert w. Harm
ed, the conductor, it would have capped
| the climax of poetic justice for ardu-
Gus labor exceptionally we'll performed.
AS a rule like the fat man, nobody
outside the family circle loves an anna
teur. 1t has become mark OF superior
wisdom and experience IN these days
when everybody knows everything, TO
believe the honest. earnest enortS OF
the beginner should be promptly and
| emphatically snubbed. But the critlc
| with snub to hand out last nlgns
would have found himself burdeheo
with a white elephant.
This does not mean that the perform
ance was a perfect one. There was
naturally nervousness 10 overcome any
| that dread. even or the pro1esslonai'
stage fright. 1t was a daring and pre-
| tentious effort to attempt the presenta-
| ton of a work that is unrIvaled as a
household favorite. and has commanded
| the best efforts of even the greatest
singers. But both cast and chorus &C
Quilted themselves. without exception.
| in a manner that should be ample en-
enlargement for continuance OF the
good work which the Community Sing
ers have begun, with the certainty tnat
better. and even splendid results Will
ultimatly be attained.
Criticism has no part in such per
! formance Praise is rather the KINDER
| course. although judged by the exac-
| lions of a professional presentation. the
performance of last night. would rank
| high with many that have been given
| of the opera in Washington by profess
| SIGNALS.
ticed work of Mr.. Harmed in the or
chestra and to Fred Frear, the stage
director. whose professional hand
presented the pretty stage pic
| lures and handled the produc-
ton behind the scenes. John H
| Phillips, too, we'll remembered IA
| vorite of the Savage and Aborn forces,
| besides giving spirited performance
| in the role Of Plunkett, in which his
| fine voice was one of the pleasures of
the evening. was a tower of strength IN
| imparting encouragement to the timid
hearted around him and the life and
! vivacity demanded when quivering
hearts and shaky knees seemed bent
| upon the opposite. Charles W. Meyers,
| another familiar recruit from the pro-
fessional ranks, helped much in spar
| ing the doubtful amateur in the comedy
role of Lord Tristan. and squirting on
I y
! lightheartednes and comedy effort.
A big word of commentator is due
| the chorus. The voices rang out clear
| ly and with precision. A little closer
| imitation of the sprightly work of lit
tie Mrs. Mabel Foote Whitman, who
made minor part pleasantly conspicu-
| Gus. will make their work fully up to
! the standard.
| Schippert gave a very creditable per
Torrance She was self-poSSeSsed at
all times and sang her part with artis-
! tic charm, especially the Last Rose of
summer" which she gave exquisitely
| Miss Jessie Masters, who had the role
| of Nancy, has a voice of sweetness and
culture and vocally met the require
ments. despite her perceptible nervous
ness.
The star Of the cast, however, II 1t be
kind to thus segregate one of the MEM
bers Of an efficient company, was NJ.
Harry Stevens. as Lionel, whose splen-
did tenor was one of the marked beau
ties Of the performance. notwithstand-
ing the fact that he was suffering both
from fatigue and a trying cold. Harry
NJ Forker made a fine Sheriff Of Rich
mond and Joe N. Bournes comic make
up as the notary made his limited par
| ing bit of comedy. Jennie kimmel.
Sarah Stone Hickling. Lulu McCabe.
| May Thompson, Marjorie Bowie. Katie
and Mary Goldstein. E. r. Whitman and
parts of the cast.
| A concession in the form OF spe-
cia1 terpsichorean feature was the in
| PRODUCTION Of Mile Falviae in an Egyp-
/ tian interpretive number that won
much applause for it's grace and finish
| ed excellence.
| Martha" will be presented tonight
with Miss Florence Steffens in the role
of Nancy and again tomorrow night
with the original cast
| At the last rehearsal of the cast and
chorus Miss May Thompson, on behalf
of the chorus, presented Musical Di-
| rector Albert Harmed with a silver
mounted cane and a bouquet of la
| France roses. Miss Thompson also made
| brief speech reviewing Mr.. Harmed
splendid work for the Community Sing
ers during the past eight months.