The National tribune., 1885-05-07
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tional Capital
A PURELY AMERICAN OPERA.


Washington people have been vastly enter
tanned during the past week by the production
at Ford's Theater of very bright and funny
little opera called "The Debutante: or. the So
cisl Ladder" 1t is the production OF TWO yeung
men of the city-McSSrs Albert T. Riddle, who
wrote the libretto, and Hubbard T. Smith. who
composed the musie,-and deals IN breezy,
mirthfui way with that mysterious thing
known as Washington society," 1t is bound
to have a great run through the country, for it
has fun and sparkle enough in 1t for two operas,
and it is as full OF telling hits good Christ
mas pudding is of plums. Even captious critics
--6tGse and distrustfui their class are habitn-
ally Of new literary yentures-admit that It's
signal merit promises realization OF the long
deferred hope for a purely American comic
opera which will abandon the harkneyed and
worn -out themes of European paaywrights and
composers and give us something dealing with
American things in a truly artistic way. Ger
faiuly this opera does this. The wit is as bright,
the humor as delicate, the touch as light and
graceful as anything in Gilbert and Sullivan's
operas, while it is immensely superior in the
literary way TO the TRANSACTIONS of the French
opera boafc that have been so popular with our
people. The music is well married to the
words-spirited, catchy, but refined and grace
ful-the kind that exhiiarates one when first
heard, and which one catches himself trying
TO remember and hum over for weeks after.
The opera opens with an asscmbiage of fair
young dsbiddRtes, who have gathered in the
parlors of Mrs. Gen. Bric-a- Brac, brilliant.
ambitious woman, whose only god is " social
position" and spares nothing to maiutain the
leadership OF an exclusive set. Her entertain
ments are noted for the number Of the pretty
girls and young officers of the Army and Navy
present, and the strength of the punch.
She sings song for the information of her
fair young friends, in which she says:
AIRS. Dahlgrcn's book on Etiquet
Is what Won should be reading;
A knowledge of il is, don't forget,
The qunessence of breeding.
And you must know tbs wrong TO make a show
OF learning of knowledge,
For all mothers SONS will marry simpletons
Rather than graduate OF college.
So now be sure TO cultivate
Small talk in variety;
For sciences and arts not essential parts
in the usases of good society.
After she and the young ladies have re-
tired from the stage. they are succeeded by
score of young officers, who manuver about the
stage and finally sing:
We are the defenders of this mighty Government,
On land as well Oh the waters.
But placed here for our own enjoyment,
And also narIiageabie darters''
In times of peace It's true we've nothing else TO do,
But go into society in legions;
Unless we want TO go TO the never-nlelting snow
Away up in the poaristic regions.
We're always in a state of absolute sobriety,
And conduct ourselves with the utInos. Of pro-
For we are the leaders in the Washington society,
Where the Army and the Navy are The rage.
Their leader, Lieut. Marline, o. S. ~, Junior
Grade, who is great social swell. and fully
conscious of his merits, introduces himself with
q song-"Yeu Know How / Am"-that is
bound to become great run.
They say sun favorite wherever go,
You know how am? tCho.) We know how you
The reason is this, if you'd all like to know
You know how am? lCho) We know how you
Pc u-ao rxy q al Iap,,,id "a rotto- ,,laea
Hes awfriy clever is what they all say,
And SO popuarity's won in this way,
You know how am? (Cho.) We know how you
Indifference is a great weapon to WELD,
You know how am? tCho.) We know how you
When they sec you don't care they very soon yield,
You know how ana? tCho) We know how
And this is the sort of man that ] am,
With nothing 60 do but serve Uncle sam,
And what people say of me don't care - (Cho.
You know how am? (Cho) We know how you
are.
Then the young men fall to discussing
Lieut.. Tennis, recently appointed from civil
life into the Twelfth Cavalree. He has not yet
arrived, but they predict that be is so proud of
his new position that he cannot refrain from
wearing his uniform to an assembly where
everybody else is in plain clothes. Sure enough
he comes in arrayed in the gorgeous trappings
of Second Lieutenant of Cavalry. and sings:
The Armys the place for a man of low station;
Twill bring up his family to some elevation,
No matter his breeding, position class.
The doors viii all ope If he wears blue and brass
He can be late at dinner, go at ALL
Help lead german open a BALI
To be called one 80 ours T" is joy to me;
am second leftenant in the Twelfth Cavalry
CHORUS.
He tried six times TO pass examination,
On the seventh trip he struck the combination,
He received his commisson-a civil appointee-
As q second Ieftenant in the Twelfth Cavalry