New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-14
MUSIC.
THE HIGHwAYMAN."

The production OF an operctta entitled THE Hin.
wayman.' OF which NJ. Harry r. Smith wrote the
book and Mr.. Reginald De Koven the music. provid
cd joyous OF something over three hours
duration at the Broadway Theatre last night. In
the speech which Mr.. Smith after some discourage
mcnt succeeded in delivering from one OF the boxes
after the second act, ne laUded the work OF HIM
self and his colleague as being OF such exemplary
purity that no American girl need hesitate 10 bring
her mother to and hear II. As our so-called
comic operas go nowadays. this is something 1t b
also something. NJ. Smith intimated, that from
the beginning OF the entertainment up to n:@
O'Clock. when 1t ended. none OF the characters had
sat upon a nail or fallen out OF balloon. It will.
therefore, be pleasant for the future chroncler OF
theatrical affairs to say that throughout the en-
gagement Of the company the public showed ap-
probation OF the good things in The Highway
man." ard a disposition to reward Its authors and
the manager Of the theatre. for the cheek OF mod
esty does not often have an opportunity to dis
play the pallor which the morallsts OF society pro-
foss 10 think so interesting. But IL Is not alto
eether certain that THE Highwayman may not
bring an occasional blush to those inclined by the
very virtues praised by Mr.. Smith. to look FOR CO.
hcrence consistency and movement In the plot OF
tho operetta or that some. pleased by Mr.. De
Koven's music might not grow little ashamed
while listening TO the bad singing OF the principal
woman in the company. who Is. to speak plainly
n trine 100 impairment in the exploitation OF her
artistic shortcomings.
sttu tbese reflections provoked by Mr.. Smiths
ami,bIe bratory are all by the way. and need not
he held 20 affect the record that decidedly pleas
ant impression made by ''rhe Hignwayman
,Don tho minds and moods OF the house1ul OF
anusemont-seckers. who not inclined to be
too curious In their questionings. The play mas
n nretty and ingratiating spice OF romance. Mr..
Smiths lyrics when they are Ineligible (Which
means when Joseph O'Mara. the representative
of the hero. sngs). sound unusually smooth. the
story albeit 4, moves slowly lowing 10 TINS CON-
vlction' which seems to he shared by author, COM
poser md stage manager alike that all stage-folk
ought to be and act Ike Jerome K Jeromes stage
foILl one in which Il is possible 10 become inter-
ested and ever and anon SIR. De kovens music
drops into the admirable vein OF sincere brusn
folk-song tunefulncss which made the fortune OF
"Poblr Hood" II is possible even likely. that the
general effect might be helped by cutting OUT somo
NJ the music for Mr.. De Koven. as usual, mas been
ron generous in his offerings but the authors nave
had the operetta under practical ooserVa'1oh Lon
two months at least and ought by this time 70
know what is acceptable to the pubic sun y"
the sake Of those who like good singing ana aiso
those who think that Mr.. De Koven was heitho'
v.ise nor successful in his emulation OF LeohcA~
ysllo. we wish that they might be spared MiSs
: tIuda Clark's song at he beginning OF the secono
act. -.
u is doubtful whether operetta was ever pro
srced IN New-York which showed more plainly
, ..r-,o tIcbvavran" the value Of careful
rronaratlon Last nights performance was YER
table triumph for Mr. Max Freeman the stage
manager and signor di Novellis' the conductor.
All the pictures were full OF charm and mo people ns
IN the stage, necessarily coming and going nxe
N. mar,onettes they were, moved with spl'sh'.'
ness and precision which looked much .Ae ~
80. deserving OF special praise for their act
/ L., AZ s,ng,ns besides Mr. O'Mara were MISS NeAiio
/ 1rsgp,ns. Harry Macdonoush and Jerome eyks>
/ And there were four beautiful horSeS