New-York tribune., 1896-06-05
STRACSSS LATEST OPERETTA.

In spite OF the phlebotomzing TO when they nave
been subjected. the operettas OF johann strauss
have with scarcely an exception. won ha"Nee
degree OF popularity In the United states Inc
phebotomy performed upon them. OF course III
the process of adapting them TO the American
stage The process generally left them with no'h-
ing toerable about them except their music Out
this always charming that the pieces ran d
course which was at least honorable If not en-
tlreiy commensurate with the genius of their COM
poser For their periodical revival We have had 10
depend upon the German operetta companies ana
they have kept one at least Die Flcdermaus. as
fresh and dewy the best works Of their KIND IN
existence. With each German performance more
over no matter how modest It's decorative outht. the
conviction has been forced upon the judicous ad-
mirers OF musical comedy that the operettas OF the
Waltz King best heard in their original form
1t is a matter OF cOngra tulatlon. therefore, that
Strausss latest operetta. ''Waidmeister. was first
offered to New York in German, and the enthusiasm
with which 1t received last night at the Ter
race Garden augured we'll for prosperous career
The title OF the work. unmcan.ng as 1t Is TO non
Germans and slightly +, IS connected with the
story OF the comedy, makes a strong appeal to the
sentimental nature Of the chIldron OF the Father
land. "Wallmeister' Is the name OF an herb which
is common here as 1t Is In Germany II H. the
sweet woodroof OF our Northern woods. In Ger
many. especially in the Rhineand. a word OF ro-
nance has gathered around II chiefly because OF
its In the admired punch, made OF Mosel wine.
called mai VEIN or "maitrank." one OF the most
charming. romantic poems in German literature II
otto Roquette's "Waldmeisters Brautfahrt which
has been turned into an opera at least twice withn
the last quarter Of century-once by Adoit Muei-
Ter in Hamburg. and once by Adolph Neuendorn In
New-YOrk. Friedrich Gernsheim also went to II Tor
the Inspiration for his beautiful concert overture
which bears the same title as Roquettes poem
The llbretiist OF strauss opereta made no use OF
the story OF the poem. and his "Waldmeister may
be said only TO flavor the love episode In the plot
the herb lend, its aroma TO the Siay drink II
supplies the literary motive for the principal duet
-k.x lt- - a,fs. ar1 Ha1 ID
thc most effective ensemble numbers Of the score
AZ for the the comedy deals with the advent
Of opera singer and student OF forestry
The book Is interesting only as II fills the stage
with picturesque characters and supplies stalking
horse for strauss music. This music i. delightful
II not In II. originality OF melodc idea. AT least In
~ refinement grace and sparkle 1t is aristocratc
music. piQuant always and Its "Waldmester' tune
full Of tender sentiment OF course. the one capt.
waiting waltz could not he omitted and the 'rrau
Schau. Wem' which is worked into the finale or the
second Is most insp.ri'ng. fresh and invigorat
Ing II the old Strauss still In the plenitude
OF his creative powers. The opercta Is given with
any amount Of spirit. and ought 10 make the fort
une OF the summer enterprise.