The times., 1897-11-02
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Bostonians in "rhe serenade."


The perennially popular Bostonians re
turned to Washington last night sor their
annual enga cement. at the National IN
spite OF the inclenienU weather OF yesterday
"a large audiea,e OF first -nighters was
present, representing in addition TO eoterie
OF persons who 60 TO the theater three or
foLr times year, and the Bostnnians is
one of their magnets. The old friends were
cordially welcomed as they appeared, and
such IS the caliher OF the new piece and ~
generous has the composer been ia the alloU
men, of opportunity, that there was CON
tinuation OF the applause Throughout the
evening.
The Serenade,r by Harry B. Smith and
Victor Herbert, was presented. We came
dangerously near having the first pTu-
duction of this opera during the Bos'onians'
late winter engagement at the National
last year. It was deferred from week To
week, however, and was given only Few
pubic renesrsals before IL went into New
York. There, at the Knickerbocker, il had
a neat run, and the critics gave a verdict
which we can only confirm, that II is a
" worthy successor TO Robin Hood The
main charm OF the piece is the music.
Herbert has furnished an almost faultless
score. Every measure swings mo!OdiouSiy
along, and the air which gives the name
to the opera pursues one into the street
and lends itself 70 the puckering lips or the
sealer OF ri popular successes, the whistler.
TIE concerted music is especially
abundant. Mr.. Herbert seems to have
worked with inspiration begotten Of the
knowledge that the BoStonian chorus was
TO interpret hin. This. Choir OF voices is
seemingly more thoroughly trained than
ever this year. Another point which the
composer Las happily made is his even
dealing of good solos to the princi-
pals. Yo1 must go early, or you Il miss
Eugene Cowles' fine solo, which he sings
almost as soon as the curtain rises. Barn
abee has Woman, Lovely Woman as
his own To VIII Mcdonald belongs the
title song, though everybody filches Il from
him as the evening progresses. Jessie Bart
lett Davis has n gem in The AugelHs,''
and the soprano and tenor are also dd-
miIably provided. George rockingham
hasn't song, because he plays an am
biticus caroler who cart sing-and there's
the fun of it. Harry Brown is a worn
out operate tenor who has TO spray his
throat before lie attacks a high note.
The comic sin iing lesson between Froth-
tnglam aud Brown was better thaa any
solos they might have sung.
The book of THE Serenade'' is the best
thing Harry Smith has done since Robin
Hood Indeed, t is rarely excellent foc
him. The character conceptions and the
run of the PLOT are We'll devised, and the
dialogue shows signs of tinkering for bet
termeut. Tie occasion for the piece is
the trouble given the Duke of Santa Cruz
(Barnabeel by wandering operitic bari
tnne (McDonald), who wooes his ward
(Airs Davis with bewitchingly tunefui
Serenade, whereas the duke would fam
wed the girl himself. She is also loved
by u tailor tFrothingham), who makes
heroic efforts to learn the serenade. in
order TO win her affections. The al.
ventures of the duke, his ward and her
lovers, at first with syndicate of robbers
led by their president (Cowles), then in
a con 2ent, whose peace is made bedlam
by their arrival, and finally in the re-
sort OF rhe r0bner syndicate, is the theme
of the opera.
Barnabee, rockingham, and Brown have
comic parts OF almost equal excellence.
They played them with jubilant result for
the audience, especially rockingham and
Brown, who have seldom before had ade-
quate opportunity. Jessie Bartlett Davis
was stunning as Dolores, and retains her
magnificent oontralto organ in good con
dition. Either Herbert has measured Nc.
Donald or he sings better than usual. He
has seldom been heard to better adya ntage
Eugene Cowlesis unequaled of lyric bassos.
Mr.. VIII f. Philip, in the tenor part, and
Miss Elaanoire Giusti, in the soprano part
sang their pretty solos with pleasing ef-
feet. Miss Gusti is new to the stage but
sne has Il good voice, and her acting will
improve. 1.-The Serenade'' viii be sung at
every performance but Saturday night s,
Then Robin Hood will be given