New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-17
MUSIC.
THE TZIGANE."

II sumptuousnoss Of attire can compel success Tor
an operetta, there is pretty future before Tne
1zeanc' a new work which Mossrs. Reginald DE
koVeh and Harry II. Smith have written for Miss
Lillian Russell 1t was brought forward at Abbeys
iheatre last night with an extraordinary display OF
outward splendor and a generous enlistment or
FORCES IN the musical department Fine ieathers
are said to make fine birds: but 1t does not follow
that the birds will be canares or skylarks. All the
country Knows that Miss Russell is fine brd ana
that her downy hablliments. lgurativciy speaking,
as rule. are as fine as enterprisng purse can
buy. She is scarcely TO be blamed II the Idea OF
appearing as Russian gypsy had fascination
which mace her look favorably upon the new
operetta The Russian gypses are famous as sihs-
crs, and Miss Russell has good an opinion as
anybody Of her own skill In that direction. More
over, she may have heard the story that the great
Catalani once took from her shoulders costly
shawl that the Pope had given to her ana put II
upon those OF a poor Russian gypsy, with the re-
mark that 1t had been given her as the greatest
singer In the world. but that she was no longer
worthy to wear IT, since the gypsy was greater
than she. In the operetta the heroine Is Il
fortune-teller who becomes great singer Every
thing seemed calculated to interest Miss kussel III
the new part and as she belongs to tribe upon
whom considerations OF dramatic ana ethholoeicH
verify sit lightly. 1t seems not TO have occurred 10
her that she was guilty Of an absu.ility IN making
the Tzgane "A dazzling blond with golden har' VI
course she would rather be her own ra'laht SCH
than anybody else. and probably no one VIII qunI''
with her for thus bclying one Of the most charac-
teristc racial traits Of the gypsies. Not ohN tHe
writer's OF comic opcrettas, but those VINO sing III
them and those who listen 10 them, nave p''n
made careless such points by consiiera'e ana
amiabe Providence Else how were enjoyment 10
be found in these queer connections. In when inc
only purpose OF the title. the only aim OF the no
mcnclaturc and the only mission of the choicc H'"e
of time and place are TO trick out the pay WIN
something striking in the way OF stage ana bo'y
furnishings?
The audience that filed the theatre last nisDt
was kindly disposed toward Miss Russell inc man
agement and the authors Of the new entertain
mont II found as little fault with Miss Russels
complexion and wig as 1T did with lot OF othcr
things In the performance which would nave "oc"
grievous had "The Tzigane" proved to be a serious
art-work-wth n Khorovod. which may De a nun
garan Czardas. but is certainly not what IL c'd''nS
to be- for instance. and the fact that popuiac'
thrown into a tumult of excitement BY the APP
proach Of the French army stops to dance
mazurka before rushing off TO repci the lhNa"''S
At the beginning II seemed as II serious we"
might be taken Of THE Tzgane." The instrument
tai introduction and the first ensemble not oh'y
gave a most gladstone thrill TO the lovers OF good
music but raised their expectations eNceeuN'B'
high. But these pleasurablc feelings were 'o' 'o"
tinued throughout the evening, ana Ions pv'o'e
midnight there was plenty OF opportunity i'F d'S"i-
continent chagrin and even queruous "ohn.r-
ment The work begins as II IL were gong 10 DC
something different from ordinary comic oPeTe''",
The first accents of the band are those OF re'Iiei
romantic opera. The subject is RUSSIAN ana WI"
n fair scene. at Mini Novgorol 10 begin Win ''e'e
was a chance for local color in all departments
Scene painter and costumer were prodigal IN 'he"
efforts and with the very capable help OF MI
Max Freeman the stage manager. they produced
as busting and brilliant a picture as o"e ~
wish to see. but the note which MT. Pe N.Y."
sounded in his music was much more c'h''"'"'s
and lovely Several Of the melodies usen VIZ
obviously folk-tunes from the Cars domih'onS'
and these especially a Cossack song were SO IN
geniously and tastefully treated that they ylel''l
most fascinating effects. Had the score REMAIN
on this plane THE Tzgane' would nave pee" "''
only the bes, Of Mr.. DE Kovens works DIX
worthy companion of the best opcifttaS ina nav
corne Of late from, Paris. Vienna or lonHoh l'"'
neither Mr. De Koven Mr.. Smith j. uT'''"
list. When they &c; through win inc" "'.''
exposi;ory scenes their fancy and fki'i go MIN
and so as the work went on al! SORTS OF lbs
fastened themselves upon IT, ana s, ncionIng
dragged down from the high piano OF ~ ~ itars
Nessrs De Angels Solomon and Herbert, pro
vded a good deal OF farcica! run nH ,,.o,,s
to the story ana seemed to have littl. lnil..
other than to I'll out the time between ,n were
Swhirb "a ali the movement that has been provided
barring A frequent ana vigorous wavins %. ma So.
and be set down as the sum oil thS d, i,'ee
action Of the piece The comedy IS su,h , - To-
iointel structure and was so obviously p"L'l ty
e.. her to meet the OF the composer INA u
Viii not make a bad guess who shd say '"a' ~
book was written for the music ana 10, te ny,
for The book and we shrewjly suspect thar L"ith'
would have into existence had not M. M.
kowskv's overture "lslg' been played mere iH''H,
and Nine Iinens choir called attention 10 ne
treasures OF melody which lie hddcn from NJ H
side world in the FOlksOng OF Russia Isth'.-
kowsky's bizarre, noisy bat dashing Work r,Its
suggested the blending OF the Marseillaise, lynn
and Russian National anthem, which MI DE no
ven employs, and the military clements ~
dragged into the story although they nave as n''
10 10 with the plot the flowers that oI2oh III
the spring had 10 do with the Lord High fNccu-
toner's ma rrage to Katisha. The IZlsahr -
chiefly music and tableauX with an occisiolhal
dash OF extraneous and uproauous horseplay 10
make believe that II belongs 10 the realm OF Wn-
steal comedy. The singing in the opereita ou,Snr
OF that OF The chorus. Is done ~ MISS fussell 20
nicely that half dozen recalls fell TO her lot ast
| night Mr.. Hubert Wilke lwhosc mahHcrlsns 90
! not hurt his music and Miss Flora Finlayson
| Mr. Paul Stendorf is the conductor ana mas an
| excellent orchestra .,,
The operetta generously applauded through
out and at the end OF the second act. Whcn thcfr
| Is a back droc representing the RUSSIAN
Army going the front. there were calls Tor Hoyt
| the painter: De koven. Smith, Mr.. Abbey ana MISS
| Russell All repeatedly bowed their acknoaled
| ment except Mr. Smith. who remained invisible,
| and Mr. DE Koyen made a short speech OF thanks.