Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-02-29
MISS SUMNER PLEASES
IN ARTISTIC SONG
lmpersonation of Seven Characters
in Humperdinck's Opera at
Carvel Hall.
''HANSEL AND GRETEL."
Presented by True Artist Before Large
and Fashionable Audience---Singer
Given An Ovation.

With all the cleverness of a true
artist, Miss Margaret Sumner gave a
most delightful entertainment before q
large and fashionable audience last
evening in the lounge. or assembly, at
Carvel Hall
L was the presentation OF Hum
perdicks opera "Hansel and Gretel.
all characters of which were imper-
sonated by Miss Sumner. Her accom-
panist, Miss Erin Bullard.at the piano.
is also worthy a large share of the
praise due the artist for it is with
the aid of the skilled musician that lie
singer is able to perfectly interpret
the song, and Miss Billiards. share in
the entertainment as piano accompan-
ist is worthy more than passing men
tion.
The opera is IN three acts. and the
characters. seven in number. were ali
impersonated by Miss Sumner. Prior
TO each act, Chaplain Evans, u. S. ~.
read a synopsis of the story The
settling for the scene was effective,
representing the interior of a hut in
the foreground. with the forest and
marrad the entertainments full pleas
ure. and that was the absence of
platform Only persons occupying
seats on the front row of chairs were
able to see the singer in her various
POSES. Those in the rear could not
catch even a glimpse of her feet in the
dance Of happy childhood
Barring the absence of a platform
the entertainment was most delight
ful and certainly artistic As a yer
satile singer, Miss Sumner has few
peers She impersonated the char
acter OF Hansel the brother. as well
us Gretel. and her mother and father.
an in tho first act with equal clever
ness. she was as charming in the
happy dance Of the young girl as she
wes graceful The picturesque cos
tune OF Gretel enhanced that charm
She was equally fascinating as the
father who had come home TO the wife
and children bringing vegetables of
food. for which they were hungering.
In the second act Miss Sumner in
tToduced q fifth character. "The Sand
man. Here she was bewitchingly
sweet in the even song of putting the
children to sleep; she literally threw
sleep into their eyes as she did mel
ody and tunefulness into the soul OF
her hearers. At the scenes ending
with the children in prayers before
| they fall asleep in the woods. Miss
sumner was strikingly effective
Again in the third and last act. Miss
Sumner introduced two additional
characters, running out tbe seven in
| all. The scene opens with the Dew
Fairy dancing in the forest, and in this
| impersonation Miss Sumner is all
grace, vivacity, charm and loveliness.
| From this she changes rapidly to the
witch Of the forest, who lives in the
| sugar ht use and whose magic spell
hold children in her power. The
witch puts the children into her oven
and bakes them into ginger bread
/ The marvellous manner in which
| graceful. vivacious Gainty Miss sum
| ner char gos TO the uncanny. weird
witch perhaps gives mere play TO her
/ real art as actress and singer than any
| other part of the opera She aas
made the entire opera realistic, but
! this portion % il more especially so
! AS al good things end happily.so does
| the story OF Hansel and Gretel The
| witch falls into her own oven Is
CAUGHT in her own trap. rs it were. and
| Hansel and Gretel escape. and the
fairy-cpera closes with Gretel doing
! merry waltz and singing her sweet
| est notes of melody
Miss Sumner has a we'll trained
voice. and while the opera is not tune
ful, or catchy in its musical lines
her rendition of the seven parts is
most effectively done Her high notes
are especially clear and sweet. and
her voice musical throughout. She is
en- artist and to see and hear her is
to appreciate art in its best sense.
AT the close of the opera she re-
4 ceiyed an ovation and gracefully bow.
"a acknowledgment to tie large anc
/ appreciative audience whom she had
( delighted TO honor.
TO TAX FURNITURE AND
AFEW OTHER THINGS