San Francisco Minstrels

The San Francisco Minstrels have made quite a hit in their Ethiopian opera euphoniously termed “Bone Squash Diablo.”

“The exceedingly amusing burlesque, known as Bone Squash Diablo, with its original and appropriate music, was served up by the Franciscans last night to a laughter-loving audience. The success of Birch, Wambold, Bernard, and Backus in their different rôles assures a long and prosperous career for the classical composition.”

“Messrs. Birch, Wambold, Bernard and Backus, having received high appointments in the cabinet of Santa Claus, who succeeds Momus this week, have, after long preparation and intense study, produced an excruciating opera yclept, ‘Bone Squash Diablo,’ before which the genius of Meyerbeer, Verdi and Rossini pales. It ends with Pandemonium [sic], from which we infer that in this establishment there is the old gentleman to pay.”

“At the San Francisco Minstrels, notwithstanding the many counter attractions elsewhere, Birch, Wambold, Bernard, and Backus combined to do justice to the classic melody of ‘Bone Squash Diablo.’ It was a regular Christmas entertainment and as such thoroughly enjoyed.”

“’Bone Squash Diablo’ was the magnet that filled this favorite establishment last evening, not-to-speak of the numerous songs, dances and other entertainments. The composition acted powerfully on the minds of the audience, as did also the ingenious hits of the quartet, Birch, Wambold, Bernard and Backus.”

“’Bone Squash Diablo’ continues to be the great attraction offered by the San Francisco Minstrels, which has been produced with all the original music in a manner that sends the audience away every evening with beaming countenances.  The ‘Friscos’ are presenting a good programme in minstrelsy.”