The times., 1897-10-31

Last Sunday there was in this column an
enumeT atisn of tie vast number Of librettos
which Harry b. Smith has written, and the
opinion was expressed that from man
who writes with the celerity and pro-
dCCuveness OF a sausage factory we
needn't expect much of the book of Peg
Worfia gton.' And 50 it proved. The
story and spoken lines of the opera are as
crude ami faulty as ever writer had the iIl-
pudence to Cut before his public.
The story of Peg Wellington, as tradition
ard Charles Reade has given her TO US, is
one which adapts itself most ielicituusly 70
light oFiera The choice Of the theme was
an Inspiration. Then the carnage began.
Smith waddleS around in his scenario, il
he Lad even plan OF his puzzle. like 4
dwarf ia a cOrnrseld. He makes souie sor.
OF ala attempt 10 spin Pesgv's story through
MS first act. and Tor about fifteen minutes
OF act two. Dot that il is at all salts
factory Then he branches off onto another
lead, which has nothing To do with the
original Question
Cheever Goodwin was in town all week.
trying a. revise the book The safess,
most expeditions and most satisfactory
results can only be had from an entire
elimination of all Smiths story and
spoken words, and plotting out "a new
scenario with new dialogue. The songs
need NOT he rewritten. They sound all
right Perhaps beca use no one ever knows
what song in a Comic opera is about.
There is everything about Peg Woffiug
ton 10 MAKE a success except the lines.
Herbcrt music is enchanting. Nothing is
more inspiring in comic opera than tie
# & lac =
hand experience has gifted him with a
skill akin ~ Scusa' 5 for Incorporating
horn music without unpleasant ears splitting
effect. He lis 3 'cel!ovirtuoso and he doeSn't t
forget hts strings. The sensuous swing ur
some of the stEing music is intoxicatinPly
delicious. Tie entirety OF the effect is 10
expand Mr.. Herbert's reputation as one Of
Ogr best composers Of light but musicany
comic aIera scores.
The production was beautifully made
Miss D'ArvilIe, Mr.. Chilvers and Mr.. Fart
aTe enjoyableiE theirparts, but the balance
OF the company, having speaking parts.
ought to be substituted The chorus sang
proudly. and a good stage manager VIII
give them a dose OF discipline which VIII
make their stage presence more pictUr
esqae-
int ABibtiau9 hds HuIlG over EHe rDCk y
precipice Of collapse for two weeks, but
some nancy was paid them the middle
OF the week and they remained TO the
finish. Th:s week viii be given to recast-
iHE the piece and rehearsing the new
Goodwin book One week from tomoT-
s0w the piece viii open in Philadelphia
In view OF the superiority of Herbert s
music ia Peg W0ffngton," there is ex-
travagant promise for his The Seren-
ade" this week in the fact that two of the
bestnuml'ers of the former opera Were leay-
mEs frJrl the other. So III reason the ex-
ceIence Of The Serenade" should begin
where Veg Woffington' left off. Those
who attended the Columtia and the Ma
ti0nHl last weel: heard sample OF what is
20 be given Us this week. Ii has fine
swing. joyous melody and some brilliantly
gathered haTmonies, which pleased i'm
nlensely.
The Bostonians are a tradition with
Washington. They are one OF the must
be seen" attractions of the year Every
one OF the company is well known to the
public. An incident exemplif wing this
happensd al the LAfa yette last Wednesda v
afternoon. Mr.. Rarnabee, interested in