A Tired Opera Troupe Nearly Sinks, Then Saves Itself

The Pyke Opera Company held the boards of the Seattle Theater and afforded the only entertainment of the week just closed. Two of the best operas in the entire range of comic opera were given — "The Black Mantles" and "Falka." Both are pretentious and demand a number of good singers in the cast in order to do justice to the score and libretto. The Pyke Opera Company, although recognized as having good voices, arrived here in a crude state and tired out with a three days' journey. Undertaking two excellent operas without a sufficient number of rehearsals, they attempted the impossible, and the result was very unsatisfactory first performances. The second performance of "The Black Mantles" was an improvement on the first, while the last was a success. The same can be said of "Falka," which almost turned into a triumph after the first night. The first night was given with a vim and a fire that fully redeemed the company and proved the excellence of several leading singers. Had the company deferred its opening and improved the time rehearsing, the results critically and financially would have been more satisfactory. The company will open a two days' engagement at the Tacoma Theater tomorrow night.