New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-15
THE CASINOS VIEW oPERETTA.

The new operetta Nadjy,s words by Alfred Muir
ray music by Francois Chassagnc, the composer oi
"Faka" last night achieved the most pronounced sue
OF any work brought forward ut tho CASINO since
ErmInle' Tho weather was OF the most discourag
ing kind but the popular interest in Casino novelties
impervous to rain 1t is to heat, and had inc
meteorological conditions been OF the most favorable
KIND, the audience could not have boon moro numer-
GUS 1t was a brilliant gathering, too, and full Oh en-
thuslasm. Marie Jansen and Isabelle Urquhart, VINO
are provided with capital opportunities TO display
their charms of person and talent by the pay I'M
proved them ALL and likely unless frst-night
signs misleading, to reach the hgh-water mara Vi
their popularity In the new operetta
There is little wit, no humor and only modicum Oh
literary skill "Nadjy," but It is triumph for the
costumer the decorator and the stage manager. Hs
cleverness is all external 1t runs to pretty groupings
bnlancy Of color and precision Of casthenics Ihose
elements are utilized to the full, and the story
which Is supposed to provide the motive for them Is
entirely secondary matter. "Nadjy' follows tho
trend OF latter day operettas without the sngh'ese
scrupc Pretty pictures its aim, and In the choice
OF the material out Of which TO create them, and In
their composition, the libretst and stage manager
have shown ingenuity and practical skill Mono OF inc
elements Is new but the combinations fresh enough
to please, and that Is all that IS required Inc nao
alsm that is introduced by making the plot turn on
political struggle between Hungary and Austria Is
ccrncd 1t speaks only in few picturesque costumes
The Transylvanan Prince Rakoczy and his patrouc
followers dress la Hongrolse, but they sing nothing
but French music. Their Queen Etelka, whose res-
cue from the hands Of the Austrlans Is inc
serious business Of the piece is just as cooress ana
when Rakoczy's followers cNme to rescue her, ana
check their adventure long enough to dance In the
chateau Of their enemy, only few attitudes ana the
quick change from q slow to a rapid movement dis
cover that what llbrotist and composer Intended was
that tho dance should be Czardas NJ Chasique
seems to be gutless Of all knowledge OF the charac
terstics Of Magyar music. True, he knows the Rar
koczy March, but he makes most Ineffective use Oh
that mad and maddenng composition. Outside of II,
failed last night to catch single rhythm cadence
or phrase peculiar to Hungarian music. 80 FAR as
this Frenchman Is concerned, List wrote his book on
the Gypsles and their Music In Hungary and com"
posed all his Rhapsodles in vain. There are some
pquant numbers In the score, however, and some
specimens Of graceful melody though on the whole
the music is not good In any respect as that IN
Falkas
Comely woman brilliant costumes, handsome scenery,
good stage management, the artul coqUotres OF Miss
jansen, who strOve to play her part with due respect
to the claims Of refinement the statuesque beauty or
Miss Urquhat, tho chvalrous beauty and good singing
Of Mark Smith, good grOtesque acting on the part
Of Fred Solomon. and disposition the part OF the
audience to deal enently with the inane yuigartles OF
James T. Powers made Nadjy' success. The
Casinos summer campaign Is well opened