The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-21
.EI Canifanr n Hit.

NEW YORK. April 0.-There was a great
outpouring OF De Wo.f Hopper's friends and
admirers at the Broadway tonight to see
his new opera, "El Captain" which was
tried In Boston last week. II made an in
slant hit. and is likely to have a long run
here. Hopper had not presented anything
new in New York for nearly eighteen
months, and he received a veritable ovation
when he appeared as the Spanish captain.
The story OF the opera is interesting, and
the music Of Sousa was wildly applauded,
his marches being favorites at once. After
the second act Hopper, Sousa and Klein,
the lbrettist, were called out, and Hopper
made a speech.
lei Captain" is described as a comic
opera, and is the joint work of John Philip
known as the March King" and Charles
Klein, a young and talented author, brother
OF little Alfred Klein, who has been a MEM
Der OF Hoppers company for years. The
action of the opera takes place in Peru. a
country of romantic sentiment. King Philip
OF Spain has, for state reasons, appointed
Don Medigua Viceroy Of Peru instead of
Dom Luiz Cazarro. whom he has summar-
lily removed. Upon the new Viceroy's ar
rival in Peru he discovers that Cazarro,
the ex-Viceroy, Is at the head of a we'll
organized army OF Peruvian insurgents TO
deprive him OF his viceregal authority. See
ing himself in immediate danger, Don
Medigua declines to publicly pose as Vice
roy and appoints one Pozzo, a poor de-
pendent, to act as the Kings representa-
tive instead Of himself; thus Pozzo's life
is constantly in danger, while Don Medigua,
the real Viceroy joins the insurgents under
the nom de plume of Ell Captain for the
purpose OF finding out how matters are, so
as TO be on both sides. Once in the enc
my's camp. Don Medigua, who is mas
querading as FL Captain, spends money
freely and acquires an eminent reputation
as a. tighter. mainly. through reports which
he circulates himself, and hnally, when the
'Viceroy's palace is attacked, FL Captain
himself leads the mob. captures Pozzo. ac-
cuses him of being the newly appointed
Niceroy, and gags him to prevent him ex-
posing his real Identity. and, having won
the plaudits of the gentry by his generosity
ana Dravado. he becomes the hero of the
Estrelda. the daughter of Cazarro. a
romantic. hero-worshipping young girl, falls
is love with Don MedIgua, whose prowess
as II Captain has completely turned her
head, and thus arouses the jealousy of
S~caramba, her lover, and also the fury of
Princess Marghanza. Don Medigua's wife.
VINO has now discovered Don Medigua, the
,Viceroy, and FL Captain, the fighter, to
be one and the same person. FL Captains
Leputation as a tighter grows so m
ly that Cazarro determines TO make him his
son-in-law, and FL Captain is forced 10 ac-
cept the YOKE of engagement TO Estrelda.
and tries 10 live W, to the situation as
.EStralda's lover. In the meantime, Pozzo Is
In a prison of which FL Captain is jailor.
and In order to auay any suspicion as to
Pezzos real identity, FL Captain subjects
AAu " MANY InulSufllcS, hCcpiu6 HAul COu-
stantly gagged so that he cannot denounce
Don Medigua, who Is posing as Ell Captain,
as the Viceroy OF Peru.
Estrelda becomes jealous of the Princess
Marghanza's devotion to FL Captain and
goads her on to desperation by making love
TO him whenever the opportunity presents,
while the Princess determines to denounce
her husband and is about to do so when the
news arrives that the Spaniards have come
TO rescue Don Medigua, Captain General Of
the Peruvian forces and Medigua Is COM
PEELED 10 lead the enemy to battle against
himself.
Fl Captains much Wanted bravery is now
put TO the test. He tries TO lose his army
in the woods and acts in such a cowardly
manner that he is denounced on all sides
as a traitor. and Estre,da's love for him
vanishes as she sees him In his true colors.
He Is finally captured. and Is about TO be
treated as an insurgent when he is recog-
nized by the General and released.