New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-05
MUSIC.
DER FELDPREDIGER-THE BLACK HUSsAR.
NllI0cker's latest Operetta. der Eeldnred.

Mlll0ckers latest Operetta, der Fedpred.
yer mas made pronounced and deserved hit at the
ITALIA Theatre, wtere brought ont IN IFS original
form last Friday evening dozen reasons could easily
be advanced why such should be the Gaze The operets
remarked in recording the first representation IA
the most admirable work Of s kind that has been seeu
here since the advent OF The Merry War; In respect
OF its literary SIDE indeed. 1t greatly ecpses stransss
operetta 1t is most ingenously contryed and eleyerly
written comedy. Much more than the ordinary amsuns
OF originality marks its character deineaiion and nearly
all the situations novel IL has story which Ia
neatly developed and which differs from the general run
OF operetta stories in being composed OF respectable
comedy elements instead OF resting solely upon vulgar
farce Some OF its features which attest the
high order OF humor and the constructive skin
OF Herr Wtmsnn the author OF the book 1--WE speak
ing of OF the original yersionl plane tho
proper appreciation of which exacts higher
intellectual activity than public inclined exert
Such, for instance is the long recital of the factotu
PTOw, in when he describes his adventure with tho
troupe OF vagabond comedians whom he overhears re-
hearsing a scene from schiller's Robbers" and
magines to be band OF political conspirators. In this
song and the ensuing between OF the actos
whom the valiant PGoD has taken in custody. and tho
JUSTICE appeal is made tine Intelligence Of the audience
aud the fun lies in understanding OF the illusions
made In the lines and the quoted speeches Of schiers
characters.
The story is pervaded with patriotic spirit which
unQer existing WOulu suDced
to win popularity for the Operetta in German communL
ties, for it has embodiment that appeals
strongly to the German imagination There Is .
good deal OF poetry In the stories OF tho
secret organizations or npetuous young patriots who
times have arisen to work political reyou
lions in Germany The action Of Der Feldpredtger"
grows of the efforts Of the historical Tugerpdbu nd
rid Germany OF Napoleon's yoke the period OF the
play being 1928. Helteg young patriot goes dis
guised a military chaplain TO Trautenfeld town
the Russo German border incite the citizens 10 nsur
rection. The people Of Trautenfeld are peculiarly
ethargc, owing to the renegade character of their rul
ing justice, Hcdehug who is all things to all men, and
who by industrously practising his principles with
to the French and Russians who alternately
overruD the town, acquires the reputation OF being
shrewd diplomat and exercises an evil influence on tho
citizens. Heigs mission Is to remove this influence
and appeal to the patriotism Of the Trautfedans The
French are securing the country for Heitrfg but he
eludes them and to promote has political ends he con-
triyes 10 dictate a description Of the Justice
as that OF the fugitive inserted In the stupid
Justices own order of arrest scheme which Is helped
by the Justices duplicity He has placed reversible
panel q window Of his house, bearing on one side
portrait OF the Car Alexander and on tho other por
trait Napoleon In the excitement caused by the ar
rival Russian and French soldiers In tne town
he leaves theCzas exposed supposng to beNapoeons
and appeals IL proof OF his political leanngs when
mis- appearance brings him under suspicion he Is placed
under arrest. At the same moment Hettogs Fellow
consprators throw of their DISCUSSES, regiment OF
Black Hussars arrive on the scene and capture tho
French had just made prisoners of body OF Rus
sian soldiers that had gorged themselves grease,
taow candles aud whlskey and were lying in stupor
In the street. and popuace at length aroused by tho
speeches OF Tugcndbund themselves and appear
ready for their patriotic mission This Is the climax OF
the opera dramatically aud specacularly though other
portions superior TO 1t far as the music con-
cerned Topersons familiar with the operetta literature
OF tho last ten years 1t must be disappointing TO nod
so admirably planned and spiredy executed situar
ton put of In the musical score with
march tune which has done service In all the operetas
OF Strauss and Mnl5cker This disappointment Is in
ensed by the fact that the composer just before had
| introduced some musical factors into his
| score which though effective as
they stand might have become more so the heae In
the hands of ingenious writer than MiilJeker
Cossack tune the French Parant pour Ia syrio AID
the German Ldtzows Wide Jagl" had Introduced tho
troops OF the three nations aud they might have been
woven Into marvelousy thrilling finale If MiliOcker
had any contrapuDtal skill
The comedy element Is derived from the love story
which runs brightly through the patriotic fabric. Tho
two daughters to protect whom from the
gnantres OF the soldiers he hits upon the el OF as
.ng Them as ugly Gaf a. n' saseS e he a ssbs
later by Hyg They disclose their change Of iaee aSs
figure in o the O6 RSs OF soDce Ss nr'' SeOS
the guest Of the Magistrate. Alter supper eysuIs de-
xSt"n sb are h Say IN ''p' resd and prayer in
toned to pretty and appropriate music. Mag
the sf.s'' young women admire the brawny young
chaplain, who affects also to sleep They throw on
when the hero Joins them declares his love for
admits his student friend wS ans the their young s
SsTs slambeE and their ,or dreams ann,
JOIN in the snsins with faTments Of the seT SssI
and its characterization is capital For ne
business OF the piece as Is necessity 10
unite the loving couples and indicate the triumph Of inc
political principles for which the hero nnasr"ea, ms W.
adventure. but variety is secured Dy change 70 a.
idye scene which comes restfuy after the exe'emen'
In an English form Der Feldprediger" brought
out at waacks Theatre last night under the manase
ducton OF sydney Rosene hose efforts IN this line We
have been able TO commend In the nrst TWO ses
fully to the original text and has given with more
nuency than usual. The last act ne
horse play Whether not the iues or music are wosh
anything at all cannot say as the majority n5 Mr
stand stand. word Of all they utter with reference
to Po song G a he ha from % RoSS
to shakespeares Julius Cesar" though he has lowered
has shocked who thOugat they spied an snacn.
ronsm IN the use OF = partant p pour a@
S SSsia ny seeking %ii4 to justify the deyce
vague reterence to a prophetic spirit fart
& NATIONAL PG"r song of Tie French until Louis Napoleon
| nephew OF Queen Hortense, who composed Il. camo
TO the throne, though IL was pno, written ha "a
not been dreamed of in period Of this play But as
| an the Impressions Of the play are oo-
! liberated before the last scene, perhaps the
public will think that he effect justhes the means.
| The performance last night moved III q
! sprightly manner aud was warmly appauuSu.
| Miss Marie Jansen carries on tns
honors among the women. by arch acting and tuneIui
singing though Lily Post and ame Cottrely are bothac
cepta e. Miss Jansen returns TO our stage inproseo
I'm method aud uveler Than OF person MI hoppcs
is well suited Magistrate Whose name cDaseo
to HackeJ6d. and makes good character skete; Dus
Mr. Bell fails as Pt6k0c Mr. Smith sings and acts hheiJ.
ODIOUS COMPARISONS.
From The Troy Tunes . . =.
The Rochester Union refers TO "smalley, inc hhgr
cized American Bohemian, who writes from Londoa 10
TuE NEW YORK TRIBUNE II may be tnat Mr. Smaliey