Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-17
OPERATIC SOCIETY
IN BOHEMIAN GIRL"
Excellent Performance Of Balfes
Melodious Work Given by
Local Organization

The Philadelphia operate Society last eve
ming gave one of the best performances OF
its career In Balfe's tunefu and thoroughly
delightful opera. THE Bohemian Girl The
society has secured for itself fixed posi-
tion in the musical life OF the city which
the performance last evening strengthened.
While the principal parts of the opera
were adequately sung and acted the main
strength OF the society lies naturally in its
massed effects. the splendid chorus and the
members OF the graceful ballet. Mr.. Lcps,
the conductor OF the society," has done won
ders with the former and has trained 1t 10
high degree Of efficiency. while Frances
Fitch, the mistress Of the ballet, has per-
formed an equal service for those members
or the society who come under her direct
supervision
The part of Airline sung by Kathryn Nc
Giniey Noble, was sympathetic in its de-
lineaton of the character The opera
abounds in melody, but there is none in IL
which has had a more enduring popularity
than the famous song Git can hardly be
called an aria) in the second act II Dreamt
| Dwelt in Marble Halls" which was given
with fine voice and temperament. The prin-
cipal male part, Thaddeus taken by Paul
Nolkmann. was well done, his chief numbers
being his pathetic opening song "'Tis Sad
to Leave Your Fatherland," in tho first act
When Other Lips and other Hearts" one OF
the still popular songs of the opera. and the
stirring martial song. when the Fair Land
of Poland" both OF the latter in the last
act. All were well sung and the histronc
delineaton of the part, which is not easy
was as well presented
A close second to these two principal parts
was that of Count Arnheim. sung by Horace
II. HOOD His singing and his acting Of
the part left little to be desired and his
melancholy song, The Heart Bowed Down"
IN the second scene of the second act, was
one OF the features of the evening This
song in permanent popularity rivals the prin-
cipal melodies of the soprano and the tenor
Inc other leading parts were also well
presented. when Il is taken into considera, ion
that Mr.. Leps has not had the advantage of
the long daily rehcarsals which, in the end
form the basis of the perfection OF the great
opera companies. Kathryn G. Morton, a con-
tralto new to the Operate Society, did fairly
well as the Gypsy Queen. although the dra-
matte requirements of the part are exacing
and unusually difficult for any one who has
not had a long professional training. The part $
OF Devilshoof, taken by Charles j. Shuttle
worth, and those of Florcstan, by Herman
J. Rub; the Maid, by Eva Allen Ritter. and
the Captain of the Guard by Dr. Frank G..
Ritter, we're adequately sung and acted.
Mention has been made of the worl; of the
chorus, and there were some excellent enscn-
bles. Among these were the Gypsy Chorus ''In
the Gypsy's Life You May Read" in the first
act the prayer, Thou Who in Might STU
preme," at the close OF the same act the
quaint nttle gypsy CnoruS, silence, silence,
the Lady Moon at the opening of the sec
ond act: the unaccompanied quartet, From
the Valleys and Hills" in the second scene
of the second act, and the pretty ensemble.
Praised Be the VIII of Heaven" which
closes the second act.
Much credit must also go to the stage
manager, w. II. Fitzgerald, for the clever
staging of the opera. The scenery was at
tractiNe and fitting and the smoothness with
which the entire opera was performed was
due in large measure to the work of Mr..
Fitzgerald.
Mr.. Leps conducted the opera with a thor
ough understanding of it's requirements
Conducting an opera with highly trained pro.
| fessional singers is one thing. but conducting
| it with non-professonal company which
| has not had the advantage OF constant re-
hearsals Is something entirely different Mos,
OF the success Nf any opera is due in the
last analysis to the unremiting care and
vigilance OF the conductor and last evening
performance was no exception to this gen
eral rule.