Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-01-29


side thronged with happy people, and
then we turned and saw the stage as a
fairy glen in a fertile valley; and 10!
magically there appeared a bevy of
comely maidens, forming a wheel, and
dancing the Joy of Spring The
hillside smiled approval.
Peasants, lacemakers, goat herders
and many others came upon the scene
TO pay their tribute to Spring. 1t was
indeed a charming scene. The hillside
clapped its hands for joy.
Purposely the story of the Magic
Wheel is omitted here, because every
body should go and learn it for them
selves. 1t is a stunning production.
The opera is built on folklore and
fairy themes. The music is tuneful.
catchy and very appropriate to the
text. The characters are exceedingly
well chosen and are a decided credit
to Harrisburg. And the chorus-hoU
many in it? Bless YOU, don't know;
we didn't count that far when L went
10 school. The costumes! / can't find
the word. Go see them. Seriously,
"The Magic Wheel last night was a
distinct and tremendous success. The
performance went with good snap and
sparkle. And oh! to see the youth,
life and vigor represented.
1t afforded many happy moments.
OF course a witch was needed to sup
ply the magic. Crossing Scotch moor
after dark and entering a turnpike
that ran right through a graveyard;
whistling with might and main to keep
UP our courage, and scare the witches
away, were thrilling moments. Our
belief in witches was very real. The
witch last night, we suspect, was in
league with the good fairies. Miss
MiddauGh as the witch carried her
part well. She sang in excellent style
and her acting was highly commend
trttn n frn
dition. and she gave genuine pleasure.
Miss Catharine Heicher as the
Duchess of Hinterland, the schemer,
supposedly in league with the witch,
acted her part with considerable skill
and force. Her singing of the part
was of high order and much enjoyed.
Miss Alice LeCompte as Lady Carlotta
was very capable indeed and acted her
part with considerable understanding
of the character required. She was
we'll received also in her singing of
"A Wish is Bubble She was
cleverly made up in this scene.
Miss Carrie Reilly as the Widow
acknowledgements me, the shy
Widow Schumacher-madea stunning
looking widow. so the burgomeister is
forgiven. The duet between the two
was we'll sung and the burgomeister
acting seemed to please the audience:
Miss Reilly sings with much charm and
Vocally throughout the opera.
Mr.. Hartman as the burgomeister
was we'll made up. He made a jolly,
good -natured official and sang with
most excellent style and voice. Jerome
Hamilton and Louis Munnel as Prince
Fritz and his groom afforded both
amusement and pleasure with their in
cidental bits Mr.. Hamilton showed
experience in stagecraft and deserves
much commentator for his singing
and acting. which added considerably
to the success of the opera. lie was
very effective in the duets with Lady
Frieda. Mr.. Munnel as the groom did
his part well and gave the opera those
touches of comedy which delighted the
audience.
It would have been more to our
liking If the Duke of Hlnterlano
George Sutton) had appeared more
frequently in the opera. The baritone
was not allotted a big part, but what
there was Mr.. Sutton did with a grace
and dignity that impressed. He sang
the sword song in ringing style and
assisted in well-arranged quartet.
And now we must give the indi-
Vidual honors of the evening to Lady
Frieda (NIrs. Roy G. CoN), who
charmed with her grace and comeli-
ness. She acted her part with dis
tinction and rare appeal. Her voice
and style in this role made her sing
ing very enjoyable. She has winsome
presence and considerable musical
temperament. She was greatly en-
joyed and literally applauded.
Among the musical numbers finding
the most favor were Spring" Girls
BLACK Magic Good Luck, Dear
old Moon I'm the Witch. Spin
ming Song" Something's Happened"
Hip Hip. Hooray," when My Dreams
Come True" Win a Wife" The
Beauty Mirror" AN l Were Maid
"A Wish is a Bubble Pray Thee,
Pretty Maiden" The Same old Way"
Graft" Stolen Fruit, Sword Song"
The Bird Songs" and The Cuckoo
Duet
Space will not permit all that could
he said in favor of the performance,
hut the bird songs must be mentioned,
also some other splendid features.
Miss c. Wynne Cassel was delightful
rs Queen of the Bird Kinder, and also
Miss Getha High as canary soloist.
Miss Elizabeth Ross as bluebird soloist
was as pretty as a picture and sang
with charm and assurance. Miss Cath
arine Dubbs as the parrot leader was
a distinct and pleasant surprise. Hel
acting and singing was a delight and
received spontaneous applause.
The cuckoo duet by Miss Ross and
James McCutcheon was very clever,
both these young people showing act
ing and singing ability above the aver
age. Mention should also be made of
the six graceful little dancing ladies
that appeared during the bird songs:
and the gavotte, quaint, charming and
proper; and the rope dance, with Miss
Dorothy Cox and Jean Davis doing an
especially charming dancing figure;
and the sprites. the elves. the witches.
the star nymphs, the wood nymphs,
the ladies. the lords. the dwarfs, toy
Venders, and hosts of others that kept
MS interested and entertained from the
rise of the curtain.
Mrs. Lake has cause to be very tired
but happy. Work well done is al
ways rich reward, and heartiest con-
sratulations are hereby extended to
her.
The opera is pure in thought and
action. 1t is happy in its employment
of youth. Harrisburg is we'll blessed
with handsome girls and boys, and it
was good to see them engaged in so
worthy an opera for so worthy a cause.
Attractive young ladies in striking
costume vended excellent candy at a
very reasonable figure. There was a
big demand for the libretto, which is
a complete guide and souvenir.
The Sunshine ladies-where are
their equal?-have seen another big
undertaking carried to success. The
writer urges everyone. who possibly
can to go to this most attractive mu-
sical entertainment. There are still
some good available seats.
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