The morning call., 1893-09-07
The German Dramatic Season.

A new season of German drama opened
at the Baldwin Theater Sunday last. The
friends of the German stage in San Fran
cisco. for many years convinced that only
Miss Ottilie Genee, the once brilliant
soubrette and excellent directrice. could
manage successfully this enterprise,
have changed their minds entirely.
an actor of splendid qualities. but as a
reliable. earnest and ambitious entre-
preneur, with all the requirements to
make such an enterprise an artistic and
financial success.
The play in which he introduced his
new company on Sunday last is a comedy
by the we'll known German author Schoen-
thau. Here is the story:
A woman, living for twenty-five years
in happiness with a husband Of plain
character. man of business, carries the
admiration for the genius of famous
author so far as not only 10 study all he
ever wrote. but also TO apply the princi-
pies she finds expressed In his novels to
her own family affairs. THIS leads to
spiritual Jealousy on the part of the huS-
band. The famous author. residing tor
many years in far-off town, suddenly ar
rives, and, as candidate for Parliament,
presents himself to his political friends.
The peaceful household then becomes a
camp for political war. The wife works
energetically for the author; her husband
vigorously against him. 1t is at the
height Of this turmoil that the author ar
pears. His personnel is a terrible shock
TO the high-strung soul of the lady. He
proves to be a business man, hard and dry.
of disagreeable manners, and who admits
his novels were only written. to make
money out of fools who enjoy such read
ing.
Some good episodes help to brighten the
plot.
The performance was very creditable
one Notwithstanding the fact that every
thing did not work as smoothly as ex-
pected. The members of the company.
with only two executions. appeared for the
first time on San Francisco stage. Some
of them, however, are pretty we'll known
here by reputation. Herman Raberg is
considered one of the best actors of the
German stage of America. he is looked
uron by many cobnoissenrs as genius.
Before he came over TO New York, about
fifteen years ago, he played leading parts
on some of the best stages OF Germany
and Austria. While he ever favors the
part of the villain In the drama. his
humor splendidly combined with sarcastic
wit his mastery conception and repre-
sentation Of characters, make him valuable
as comedian of the finest type.
In the role of the suffering husband his
power of Characterization was manifested
plainly. Raberg avoids grotesque effect.
His acting appeals to the inner senses, and
it is delightful to educated theatrical taste.
The chances are Herman Raberg. who,
by the way, has a wide reputation as one of
the most original and thorough of Bohe-
mians, will soon be the greatest favorite
with the friends of the German stage in
San Francisco. Evoe Raberg!
Miss Tageman made very favorable
impression IN the role OF Mrs. Groller.
The other ladies OF the company did q OF
have much opportunity at the first per-
formance. Their accomplishments will
develop in the near future.
The part of the famous author, Roderich
Heller. was especially we'll represented.
The ensemble was satisfactory.
A comfortably filled house appreciated
the performance. Director HitZigrath was
warmly received. Music Director Hin
richs scored an encore with his charming
reproduction of Haydn's "Serenade."
Reac 70 fat nfuI