Evangeline

“Mr. Rice’s music comprises twenty-three original numbers.” 

“To listen to atrocious puns, and to hear indifferent music indifferently interpreted, are not especially satisfactory experiences.”  

“…The great attraction of ‘Evangeline,’ which elevates it above other dramatic productions of the same class, is asserted to be the music. The composer is a Mr. Rice, also of Boston, who write his middle name in full.

There are one or two rather pretty airs, but they are not remarkably original. For the remainder of the music there is a great deal of drum solo and a sufficient quantity of ‘ting ting’ on the triangle and enough tambourine to satisfy the yearnings of the hearers…” 

“Whatever merit it has rests on the humor of isolated passages, and we regret to say that the humor is of the weakest kind…The music of Evangeline, though lacking the verve of French opera bouffe, is not without a certain sparkle, though from time to time the traces of foreign influence may be distinctly traced. The musical portion of the work is, however, much in advance of the literature…Miss Ione Burke making an especially effective Evangeline, and displaying an unlooked for amount of vocal ability.”

“Two sentimental songs—‘Where art thou, my beloved’ and ‘Go Not Happy Day’—merit to be singled out and mentioned as quite pretty. One comic duet, ‘We are off,’ is very good…Miss Ione Burke’s sentimental vocalism, though deficient in sincerity of feeling, is pleasing, and it often denotes skill and judicious training…We should mention among the few meritorious features of this burlesque the sextett by the ruffians. It is an old device, but it was well used, and the music was well delivered.” 

“The acting and singing, as a whole, is on a level much higher than that of the extravaganza. The music is vivacious, bright... ”

“…Mr. Rice deserves much credit for his music, some numbers of which are very pleasing, and destined to become popular. Those requiring special attention are a pretty ballad, ‘Wouldst’ Know the Way?’ sung by Evangeline, which was redemanded; a song-and-dance, ‘Evangeline;’ an Irish song, ‘Gorra, the Life is a Hard One I Lead;’ and two sextets entitled ‘Six Miserable Ruffians’ and ‘Sammy Smug.’ The overture and entr’act music, likewise composed by Mr. Rice, evince no mean ability…”