The Indianapolis journal., 1895-12-13
Pettis Dry Goods Co
ADJUSTMENTS.
Humperdinck's Fairy Opera.

One OF the rarest, daintiest and most
unique musical novelties OF the lyric stage
perhaps. OF the century-is Humperdinck $
fairy opera. "Hansel and Gretel," given at
Engiish's last night for the first time in this
city. For year or so there have come across
tho water brief notices OF this first work by
an unknown German composer. 1t has
charmed the audiences I'm German and Aus
trian opera houses where Ii Is still running
as a furious success. Sir Augustus Harris
had an English translation made and put ii
on In London. There 1t achieved such sue
cess with the English that he was per-
saaded to send II to America. On this side
the opera has not become a rage, but that
is no fault or the author. The Teutonic
spirit OF "Lohengrln" and Die Walkuere'
Is largely exemplified I'm this unusual crea-
tion. but the massive grandeur, the intricate
mechanism OF Wagnerian music is so beau
rifully ssimpiihed and melodically treated as
10 make an evenings entertainment which
even the casual musical listener can thor
oushly enjoy. IL Is German TO the core. but
the opera than to any necessary measure
or style on the part OF Humperdinck.
orimms familiar fairy tale OF the famous
dewman. together with folk songs so popu-
lar and common in Germany, have been ap-
proprfated by this new composer, who has
X.
was never originally Intended for the stage
cannot be doubted. Humperdinck is said to
have composed the piece for the amusement
ot his children, and then was persuaded to
elaborate the theme and make something
more pretentious. With this more serious
enort he has aided something originally
lacking In the faiIy tale-somet thing that be-
fuddles the sensibilities of older people as
well as the little ones. and transports the
entire family to the realm OF fairy land.
The story. of little Hansel and GreteI,
TI Ind tt.r.fs. IL rtx .<x4v
dancing until the angry mother drove them
70 the woods; how father Peter, the broom
maker. came home and raised storm
playful children wandered In the great
goblin woods until put to sleep by the
were awakened by the dewman only. to
fah In the hands OF the child-eating witch !;
now they chucked the broom-riding hag
into the furnace and liberated all the other
little gingerbread children who had been
transformed by the old woman was harm
less and grewsome enough TO charm the
children and make them shiver. but there
who had long since learned of the mythical
nature OF the characters. However, with
10 suited to all the mystical, symbolic
changes, there comes series of contra
puntal melodies that even the older people
and the lonely. call of the cuckoo echoes
through the forest, ii Is enough to make
far wiser ones than Hansel and Gretel
VI cInUic dNu seek TOT a n1ulnB place.
This scene Is the conception OF true
poet. and Is only less brilliant than the
following one OF the angels descending and
ascending the gided steps to the fairy
heaven. q Transformation that called forth
long applause from the appreciative audi
ence. that attended the first performance
As the two children, Marie E.lba and Jeanne
pouste were very acceptable. Both have
norid. well-trained mezzo-soprano voices. of
fair power. and acted the Grimm children
prettily enough. AS the pinch-faced. gall
Looping witch with a stomach for children.
Miss Meisslinger is the naturalization of
the person who has caused every child IA
millar with Grimm's fairy tales to tremble
and snuggle up closer to mother. She will
give the matinee children a sensation along
their spinal columns that they will remem-
ber for days.
Miss Mary Linck sings the role OF Ger
trude, the wicked mother who drove her
children 10 the woods. Her voice Is ample
for all the requirements OF the theme
while her acting is harmonious and beau
tifully pantominic- Jacques Bars gives a
light-hearted yet earnest Interpretation of
Peter.
"Hansel and Gretel' will continue the
rest OF the week at Engiishs and deserves
good patronage