Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-25
soUsA's NEW OPERA.
Some Idea of ssThe wolf,' and How Il
Was Written.


II have been at work upon that opera for
| about year." said Mr. John Sousa to q STAR
reporter in speaking about his comic opera,
''The Wolf, which has been sold to Francis
Wilson.
"who wrote the libretto?' asked The STAB
man.
II wrote it myself" said Mr. Sousa. 81 had
at first intended that Ed. Taber, who wrote the
lyrics for 'Desiree,' should write the book, but
the arrangement fell through, and one day
sat down in sheer desperation and commenced
the work myself. OF course had sketched
out my plot and the characters, and had a
perfect idea of how intended they should be
developed; but when it came to the detailed
work Of putting the conversation into the
proper mouths and making the rhyming verses
for the songs, i was at first almost discouraged.
persevered, however, and finally acquired
FAIR facility in writing. The hbretto now is
1O2 pages Of closely-written manuscript, and
suppose have written and rejected at least
thousand pages"
.'What is the plot or story of the opera?'
81 am not at liberty to give you the details.
on account OF my contract with Mr.. Wilson. /
can say generally. however, that the story
hinges upon certain provisions in will made
by an eccentric Spanish nobleman, who had
made all provisions for the advent of an heir,
Dut WHOSE WIG presented MIN WITH q daughter.
Certain tasks are imposed upon the daughter
which must be accomplished by her eighteenth
birthday or she will forfeit the large fortune
left by her father. The opera opens two days
before she is eighteen, so that all the incidents
OF the story transpire in those two days"
How did you come to select the title?"
THE title comes from the soubriquet of the
prima donna lie lobos,' the wolf, given her on
account OF her savage and vixenish DISPOSE
ton"
where is the scene laid?'
In the town OF Tentenelh. in Spain. There
are three acts and seven tableaux. The action
Is swift and unceasing, and the interest is not
allowed to flag for moment. There are two
real good female and three male characters.
though there are fourteen parts in the cast
equally divided as to sex. It will take about
seyenty-ive people to produce the piece prop
erly. Marie Jansen will take the leading role,
and every one knows her high ability both as
singer and an actress. Francis Wilson will. of
course, have the principal comic role, though
there are two other good comedy parts. which l
suppose will be assigned to Daboll and Plum
kett / don't know anything more to the
cast, but am satisfied that Mr.. Wilson will
give the opera all the people that it requires,
as well as the best possible setting as regards
scenery, costumes. properties, &C.
Did you offer the piece to anyone besides
Mr.. Wilson,"
mo. 1 did not. Wilson met me by appoint
ment when he was in this city and first read
MIN the nDretto and then played him the entire
score. He is finished musician. and after
having heard the book read he took it and fol-
lowed the score with the lines. We had nearly
a six hours session, and at its conclusion he
expressed himself as delighted with the per-
feet harmony and union Of both words and
music. and said that this successful result was
evidently brought about by the fact that both
were written by the same person. He insisted
that if one man had written the book and
another the musical score this wedding of
words and music could not have taken place.
The next day we again met and the contract
was then and there drawn up and signed"
when will he produce the opera?"
THAT / cannot tell you. BY the terms Of
our contract he has year in which to produce
it. and it must be first brought out in New York
city. saw by musical journal the other day
that he was going to open his season with my
opera instead of 'Oolale.' which he bought
some time ago. If he has determined to do
that l don't know it. 1 hope, of course, that
such may be the case. AS regards this opera
/ feel that have done good work i'll the score
/ have endeavored to profit by whatever mis-
takes / have made in former attempts, and
have brought to my work all the results of my
musical education and experience. 1t is not
likely that Mr.. Wilson would invest several
thousand dollars in a venture unless he be-
heved it would yield him a rich return. l con-
fdently hope for the success of 1.-The Wolf
when it shall be produced, and that the Erst
successful American opera will come from
Washington"