The San Francisco call., 1897-05-09

People suffering from the blues who
want to shake off the worries and ankle
ties of this wicked world for a few brief
hours could scarcely find a better kill-care
than "El Captain" The operetta, as De
Wolf Hopper presents it, could be war
ranted to make even a confirmed hypo-
chondriac laugh aloud, and as for the peo-
pie who are neither blue nor hypochon-
driacal, il Keeps them in state OF almost
continual mirth. There is nothing TO tax
the mind or the imagination in "El Capt.
tam" The plot pursues its joyial, ire
sponsible, rollicking way without serious
moment and Sousa has been true to
the light, frothy libretto all through
sthe score, and has carefully avoided those
erratic ineursions into grand opera, that
have made crazy patchwork OF De Koven's
later works. Sometimes "El Captain"
swings along to a march that makes one
think of pi cnics, Fourths of July. and all
sorts of festive occasions, when masses of
people tramp along together in good fel-
lowship; sometimes Sousa's muse be-
comes a trife sentimental, bat there is
not a bar of the music that could not be
appreciated by a popular gallery audi
ence, and that is as it should be, for
operetta is for the masses, as much as for
the classes.
1t would be idle 10 pretend that the
score of "El Captain" Is epoch making
music that will be sung when we are all
under the sod-as 'Shamus O. Brien" will
probably be-but if "El Captains" life
Will not be long, it is a merry one, and
John Philip Sousa, who has added so
much TO the gayety of Enthusiastically
10 this nation-has done US another good
turn by writing an opera that is consist
ent, bright, and contains numerous tunes
warranted pleasant and easy TO sing and
whistle on first hearing.
Kleine's book is really clever and his
idea of man heading an insurrection
against himself for purposes of personal
safety is distinctly novel. IF the rebels
win l am solid with them and if they lose
! can behead them all'' is the viceroy's
reasoning as he decides to participate in
the rebellion against himself. Peru, in
the sixteenth century, is the land where
this original Governor is supposed to have
held sway and De Wolf Hopper's magni.
fcent staging shows how rich American
subjects are in brilliant and novel scenic
effects. Most of us are tired of the
eternal peasants, uniformed officials and
soldiers of French and Viannese
operettas who continually appear in
q background of old European mar
ket-places, or of halls, supposedly
marble, where noblemen of high degree
dwell. The European operettas are all
very picturesque in their way, but va
riety is the spice OF operetta, as well as of
life, and the novelty of "El Captain s"
scenic effects is an acceptable seasoning
no gendarmes, no peasants are here, but
picturesque noun ntaineers half shepherd,
half brigand, mingle with gorgeous six
teenth century hangers-on Of the vice
regal court and Spanish soldiers in gilt
terine uniforms. And how beautiful the
scenery is, particularly in the second act.
where, from the city gates, We look up
into the Businesses of the Andes and see
Aztec ruins, mingling with the Spanish
fortifications that span the deep gorge.
The scene is perfect color symphony in
green, terra Gotta and delicate pale blue.
As If to be in keeping with his artistic
scenery De W off Hopper has surrounded
himself with exceptionally handsome
people Barring one or two exceptions he
seems to have selected them for their good
looks, though most of them can act fairly
well and sing fairly we'll in addition to
pleasing the eye. No one has chance TO
set the bay on fire, except De Wolf Hop
per as the viceroy, alias Ell Captain, for
most of the oIeaginous matter in the book
is his, and nearly all the laurels OF the
performance rest upon his massive brow.
There Is not too much Hopper, however
On the contrary, he plays the part OF the
selfish. absurd viceroy so ridiculously and
humanity withai that his role might be
double as long as it is without palling on
the spectators.
1t has seemed lately as if when society
ladies go upon the stage their fancy
lightly turns to thoughts OF tights In
Paris the Princess de Chimay chose that
style of costume as the most appropriate
for her debut, and not to be behind 10
Vile Lumiere San Francisco has had-and
still has-a society lady, Mrs. Dimond,
appearing in the same light and airy
costume. Paris went crazy over the