Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-01
HIGH SCHOOL
OPERA PLEAS'i'E]Sj
BICAUDlE|'NCE
Pinaforev Is Finely
Presented At Audi
forum
BY HELEN LEO.

III. M. S. Pinafore,'' the comic
opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, which
was given at the city auditorium last
evening by the high school glee clubs,
pleased a large audience
III. M. S. Pinafore'. follows a
clever and interesting theme, and the
cast of high school students who APP
peared last evening in the different
roles did justice to the established
reputation of the opera. II"
Miss Frances Smith, as Josephine,
daughter of the captain of the good
ship ~'Pinafore," possesses a are
soprano voice seldom found in one so
young, and she pleased her listeners
with a group of solos which would
prove difficult for one Of considerable
training. Little B%uttercup," played
by Miss Orilla Nordmarken, furnished
one of the best character studies Of
the opera. Miss Nordmarken's
charming personality was displayed
to good advantage. Her work was
exceptional. Miss Ruth Schlaberg as
"Hebe.' first cousin of the admiral, an
unsuccessful sutton for the hand Of
the fair Josephine, gave . pleasing
Interpretation of this character.
Among the men principals, perhaps
the best work was done by Theodore
Rex, playing Ralph Rackstraw, the
real choice of Josephine; by Richard
Booth. who took the role of Dick
Deadeye, the villain, and by Loyde
Thompson, who played the. captain
of "Pinafore." The solo work of
each OF these young men was we'll
done. Adrian Hofto as Sir Joseph
Porter. also gave a good character por-
trayal. Alvin Gilmore, Karl Rudser,
Ernest Rudser, Ronald Davies, Adrian
Hofto, John Hustad and Lynden
RAIDER, others of the principal char
acters acquitted themselves creditab-
ly.
Not the least attractive feature of
the performance was the chorus
group work, which indicated careful
training as well as individual ability.
The sailor boys were especially
pleasing. In the girls choruses, the
singing was good and the costuming
exquisite. :
acts and the scene of both acts was
laid on the quarterback of Her Majes-
TVS ship, ."Pinafore," off Portsmouth
England. Ralph Rackstraw appears
broken in heart because Of his hope
less love for Josephine, daughter OF
the captain of his ship. The hand
Of Josephine is sought in marriage by
the admiral, Sir Joseph Porter. whose
suit is favored by J~osephine's father
Since Josephine loves only Ralph
they finally decide to elope. but are
hindered in this by the villain, Dick
Deadeye, who is a constant trouble
maker and pessimist a~boardship. A,
last, Little Buttercup discloses the
fact that as babes, the captain and
Ralph were exchanged in station, and
that in, reality the captain is a mar
of low birth and Ralph of high rank
Reconciliation follows and the cap
tain takes Little Buttercpp as hi.
wife, the admiral secures the promise
of Hebe. and Josephine and RALPH
are united.
Much credit is due Miss Gertrude
, Smith, supervisor of music in the cit,
schools, for the success of the enter.
tainment. Miss Smith assumed 8
large responsibility in attempting t
stage this opera, and its success be.
speaks the effort hat was put into
its presentation.
The high school orchestra, unde,
Prof. H. C.. Rudd. played the accom-.
paniment during the evening.