The morning times., 1896-01-12
TT ND now, while on the subject Of operas.
n a glance at the native article, or at

here, may no tcome amiss. Thisseason seems
10 be particularly lacking in successful
comic operas. About half dozen have
been presented here SO far this year, and
not one of them has achieved more than a
moderate success.
Some have been of English origin and
others were by American composers, yet
Not one can be compared with the old IA
vorites, such as Robin Hood" Wang"
The Mikado," aud Others Uf that class.
A new style has come into vogue lat
terly, and If box office receipts amount 10
anything as an Indication of public ap-
proval, opcra-makers had better get back
TO the old methEi and leave new tangled
ideas alone. or the operas brought out
this year the criticism has been advanced
that their music was reminiscent. Now.
if composers viii 'retniDis'' why dent
they take the theme of last years popular
songs, aud not rehash the stale, unprofit-
able and commonplace airs they have pro-
vided this season.
Never perhaps, at least not in late
years, have there been SO many revivals
as this season has witnessed. De Wolf
Hopper has gone back to wang" Lillian
Russell is singing her old repertoire, Fran
els Wilson has put The Merry Monarch"
in rehearsal and will produce II in Phila-
deIphia shortly, 1.-THE Chieftain'' having
proven losing venture. Whether this
return to their first loves on the part of
comic opera stars is because of bad judg-
ment on their part in selecting poor operas,
or whether it is because the composers are
not turning out acceptable work, 1t is
hard to tell.
One fact remains, however, which must
be patent to everybody, and that is that
to become popular the comic opera or
today must have catchy music. The plot
may be silly and the dialogue the most
witless and inane ever written, but ii the
music be catchy and the cotnedian's top
ical song be whistled on the streets the
next morning the composer may sit back
at his ease and prepare to gather in the
royalties.
or the operas seen here this season Bob
Roy" was probably the most SUCCESSFUL,
and strictly speaking it was pfobabiy the
best from a musical STANDPOINT In iact'
the music was almost too heavy ior d
comic opera, and there was haraiy ho.e
of catchy music in 1t, and for this reason
it can never be as popular as robin HOOD,
bv the same authors. Although 'Fleur-
dc Lis is a pretty opera, what song IN
it will catch the popular whistle like "she
Is a Daisy, Daisy" from 'The Little
Trooper" And so the fact remains that
although the comedian may be funny, ana
the soubrette pretty, the costumes gorgeous
and the scenery beautiful, it is the catchy
music that draws the crowd and paints Il
smile on the managers face as he stands
by the box office window.
n PRETTY good story is going the rounds
" lust now on a wel.-known comedian
who has been playing in the West
this fall.
Among his other failings Mr.. Comedian
is very fond of baseball In fact, he has
been known to forego the pleasure of
Wednesday matinee, all on account of a
ball game. 55,....4 ,-...-
Early in The fall Mr. Comedian was play
ing in Chicago. and every morning 1t was
his custom TO go out to the park, and DON
ming suit, spend an hour with the Colts
Now, adjoining the Chicago baseball park
is a luDatic asylum. Most of the inmates
are harmless fellows, and are allowed the
freedom of The grounds. One morning The
actor arrived at the park somewhat early,
and getting into his togs at the club house,
started for a spin around the park As
he passed the corner of the grand stand and
away for center field. wild eyed
man sprang down from the seats and start
ed in hot pursuit.
..Great Lordi A lunatic.' he said, and
nut on more speed. Round and round the
field they went, the crazy man gaining at
every step The actor was beginning to
lose his wind, and, besides, he had allowed
a good deal of 1t to escape yelling Tor
assistance. At last he ceuld stand 1t no