The San Francisco call., 1897-10-11

teams, some walking lszily along the road
the moon made white, and some on the
last train from San Francisco.
There were no reserved seats at this de-
lighttul aftair-no gallery nor dress-circle.
People strolled MP the lovely valley,
looked for a moment at the artistically
simple stage-setting, made their way I'D
the soft swell of land and sank content
edly down upon the dead brown grass that
cushioned IL.
There were no rules as TO attire or de-
meanor. One wore what he pleased and
sat or reclined as was most comfortab bic.
Above the moon sailed gloriously i'll
clear, pale sky; behind was the living,
leafy screening of the oaks, and in front,
on the tur.-carpeted stage, the classically
draped figures OF young men and women
appeared against the dark green back
ground.
The scene was charmingly picturesque
ana the play was in keeping with the
beauty of the scene. Just the simple
story of Two lovers whom Bacehus makes
happy by blessing the vineyard, so that
Caro- a, the winners daughter, might wei
Corydon, the goatnerd. But the little
idyl is so gracefully told, its language is
al once so pie yet elevated, its con-
struction is so arJful-or else the moon
Fight plays strange tricks with the audi
tors judgment AMI the beautiful Vale of
Pansies is magic place where all things
are perfect.
Corydon tells his love to Garcia and
Garcia tells her love to Corydon, and
then, when the lovers are gone, the
nymph who guards the valley tells the
n he ha WI hn n in
the mountains. And then the tale is told
again by the goat herds, Corydon's mates,
and by both lovers to the guardian
nymph and, later. by Corydo to great
Bacchus, and still again by the sweet
guardian nymph, till the moonht valley
is musical with a roundelay of love and
all the world knows of the cooling of these
turtle doves.
Instead of entrances and exits, stiff cen
ter, right ard left, figures emerge from
the forest or come from some irregular
little path or wander off diagonally to
disappear behind a clump of bushes or
slowly 10 pass out of sight up along
winding pathway that seems TO reach to
the stars.
There is no curtain, no bell, no change
of scene. not the smallest artiti ciality 10
natural color scheme.
When graceful girl in flowing white
draperies, her brown hair falling over her
shoulders and far below her slender waist,
fitted down toward the little natural stage,
Il musical call upon her lips, all the chatter
ing and laughing in the sylvan theater
was hushed. The play had begun.
1t was the Guardian Nymph of the val
ley who sang the prologue, unaccom-
panied save tor the crickets' steady, soft
chlrp. Hers was sweet, pure contralto
whose exquisite notes fell most gratefully
upon the ear. The oak-covered Mill. be-
hind III aue fine sounding board and the
fanclful. delicate, ford melody with
its tripping grace notes and airy triplets,
was delightfully."- effective, coming from
that graceful, girIlsh figure III the lore
ground.
She finished with the high call with
which she had begun and Immediately
from hills TO the right and left, above and
eyond. the call was repeated, echoed and
re-echoed In t1uteiike notes till the valley
rang with the melody.
Then a red light blazed out far upon
the hill 10 the lett. 1t grew brighter ana
redder till The thick foliage looked like
leaves OF rubies. And starting out from
the ruddy background sister nymph ap-
peared ana took up the pretty strain.
Her voice died away with the dlmming of
the light, and suddenly, alott and of to
the right, a clear soprano began to sing OF
the happy valley. As her voice rang out
on the last high note a blaze OF glittering
blue light showed her white figure against
the dark shrubbery, while beyond another
nymph took up the melody.
Ala the beings of the fairy world had
disappeared when Corydon came singing
upon the stage. Corvdon is a handsome.
manly fellow, with thick, fair hair and
bold, strong profile. He wears the jerkin
ard tights and the goatskin drapeu over
his shoulder with grace. Incidentally he
is the author OF the charming little drama
and-most lmportant-he makes love de-
lightfuliy.
His Garcia in her softly draped pink
gown with her white arms and neck
cleaning in the moonlight, making her
look Statuesquely fair, listened demurely
to his vows. She sat upon truly grassy
, bank, with hands loosely clasped over her
knees, while he strode up and down before
her telling his pretty story of Apollo's
Wooing OF Daphne, who fed ever and ever,
till at last she was turned into a tree
whose leaves even now Apollo deHs with
his tears, while he caresses them.
Then does Master Corydon inform his
Garcia that at times he dreams that he
COrydon, is that same 'witched Apollo
\ ct seeks he loVeIier maid than Daphne
e'er had been.
AM does she fly thee, CorydonP" asks
Garcia archly.
In dreams, she does,' res ponds bold
Corydon, ''but when Luna lights our vale,
seek and find my love-
The merriment this question and its
reply cause to The listening nymphs is
very pretlily brought out in The laughing.
mocklng melody they sing wnen tue
stage is clear of mortals. Their sweet,
shrill voices mock from hill to hill till the
goatherds appear and drive them from
the scene.
These comrades of Corydon supply the
grotesque element of the play. They sing
to the flutes accompaniment: they Jest
at love and Corydon, and at one another:
they make hating verses and burst into
chuckling laughter excellent stage
laughter anticipating the word that
shall complete The rhyme. And then.
like true comrades, they promise gifts to
Hymen, and with clumsy sincerity wish
Garcia all happiness.
The best piece of acting in the play is
Corydon's prayer 10 Bacchus. The young
goatherd's comely figure and resolute
lace, lit up by the flames he has kindled
on Bacchus' altar, are strongly piclur-
esque, as with uplifted hand and solemn
voice he pleads with the wine god for
plenty and Garcia