The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-23
1.-THE BRIDE-ELECT.,
Sousa Is Interviewed on His Last
omposifion-P{eased at Success.

John Philip Sousa has been interviewed
on the subject of his new opera, The
Bride-Elect." in which he expresses his
great delight in its success. and tells OF
some of the yicissituGes ii had TO undergo.
Six years ago l begun 1t, calling tho
opera The Wolf from the character and
temperament of the leading feminine role
We'll. Ed Rice. Francis Wilson, Ca
mile d'Arville and others managed to
keep The Wolf' away from their doors:
but I'm getting ahead OF my tale.
First, Francis Wilson read IT, He
kept it for a year and then returned IL.
The leading part called for woman. and
possibly Frank thought he could secure
better vehicle for his talents. Then De
Wolf Hopper kept it for a year. Same
old story; The Wolf was really getting
lean and travel-stained. Next Rice took
ii. AS you have seen. there are abundant
opportunities for dances, marches and
display OF the human form divine In the
play. but somehow The Bride Eject did
not hit Rice's fancy"
perhaps he preferred an unengaged
girl observed one of the listeners, and
the March King" smiled
Next The Bride Elect called upon Ar
drew Mccormick resumed Sousa, "and
remained in his care for months. 1t was
read over to that charming woman and
sterling actress. Camille d'Arville. and
was offered TO the Bostonians; but FL
hands were chary Of taking a connie OPP
era with both the music and words writ
ten by one individual.
About this time. however, FL Capt.
tam came out. and the march made such
q hit that there was an immediate de-
nand for The Bride Elect alias The
Wolf 1t seemed 10 me that the story
needed revision. though the theme. I still
maintained, was good and / rewrote tt.
Stil / was not quite satisfied, and / gave
IL TO Charles Klein. the llhrettist of Ell
CAPTAIN and asked him 10 write a new
book for Il. but he does not write lyrics.
and he hesitated about taking up the
work. Finally he did take IL up, and.
going to Europe studied the matter for
a time last winter. His health was poor
and he had certain things weighing upon
his mind. so he pleaded that he was bar
ren Of ideas and felt In no mood to try
10 be humorous. and The Bride Elect
came back like a bad penny. Down at
Manhattan Beach last summer I started
10 overhaul the piece myself and write a
new book The original motif was re-
tanned and the characters. but a new sto-
N was written around them. TNo-thirds
or the music was discarded and new mea-
sures substituted"
when was the march that - played
as a finale TO the second act composed 90
somebody inquired.
THAT was really an Inspiration that
came 70 me after we wero through the
arduous programme OF Fourth OF July
last The weather was torrid sorn.. of the
time bat after the days work was over
| stuck to the piano and the inkstarad ard
by the end Of the season the opera az II
IL row was completed. X was offered 10
II. u. Stevens. who. with Hopper was
the first to give me an opportunity to
show what could DO. Stevens was he
thirteenth victim. and he ltd not srurn
The. Br;ie-E Elects proposal. Stevens
took In klaw e. Granger and Nixon IL
Zimmerman cniv two r.inor changes
were made and royalties and 80 forth
were satisfactorily arranged Having
written both ine music and the words. l
had "a perfect title 20 The Hons or -Th.
Volts share IN the proceeds" and Soasa
smiled again.
Then tl4 you rest from your iahors -
Ne. indeed. continued tire composer
Preparations were AZ cree begun for
the production. and the piece vas read
to the company on November last. and
then I tufEsad ny attention 10 new piece
Tor De Wolf foppsF--The CharIafau'-
Of which Klein Is writing the book and
I IRE music and lyrics This has been far
CROUCH advanced for ms TO go en- tour
with ny band now for eighty weeks. COW
erinS tranxcuutEnentzi sad European
4ttlsar1r- <rrrr -