Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-19
ADJUSTMENTS.

Reginald De Koveu has written the pest
English opera Of any American composer,
and it will be long before his robin Hood
will be eQualed. In no subsequent ef1ort
has he come up to the standard OF that
tuneful work in popular estimation. There
is more musicianly writing in the Fencing
Master" in the Mandarin and in The
Highwayman," but neither opera will ever
reach the popularity attained by Robin
Hood" In THE Highwayman,' which
was heard for the first time In this city
last night at the Lafayette Square Opera
House, the character of the music Is the
same as in robin Hood" and the scene
is laid in England. The time of the story
gives De Koven an opportunity to write
some old English ballads, glees and Choir
ais, which he has made effective. There
are many pleasing melodies and some
choruseS that are remarkably good in con-
struction, and, of course, splendidly sung.
perhaps the ensemble work is the best
feature Of the opera Yet the ballads as
signed to the tenor. O'Meara and those
belonging to Lady Constance, Miss DAT
Vile. are tuneful and catch the audience.
dnere Is no mistaking the origin of 1.-THE
Scarecrow." which, in the language Of the
street, is dead ringer for THE Jet
black crow, as Is the gypsy song for the
mixers chorus. but both are effectively
sung and received deserved encores.
Mr.. Smiths book has some charming
lyrics, and, while the dialogue is not as
bright end witty as it might be, the lines
are excellently handled by the company,
wnlch is one of the best organizations that
has been seen here
Last night the honors were borne off by
Joseph O'Meara. whose splendid tenor was
heard to good advantage and who is an
exception to the general run Of operate
tenors, in that he can act as we'll as sing
he mas dash and vigor that is attractive
ana ne at once became a favorite with the
audience. who rewarded his efforts with
hoerai applause. Miss D Arville was heard
at a disadvantage. for she was evidently
iaporing under severe cold, yet she strug-
gled bravely through the role of Lady
constance. Miss Maude Williams has a
sooo soprano voice and a beautiful face
and filled the part allotted her with special
credit She Is evidently capable of a larger
sphere than the role of Lady Pamela af-
lords Nellie Braggins was a comely and
vivaclous barmaid and was a good side
partner. for Harry Marlborough, whose
acrobatic comedy was highly entertaining
Jerome Sykes Is a comedian of exception
al ability. and his Constable CUTLER was a
splendid piece of work. His humor has the
of being spontaneous and is
certainly contagious, and there is no effort
to overdO his part in order to create a
laugh He can also sing well. Reginald
Roberts. who is remembered here from
his connection with the summer opera
company, did a minor part in a pleasing
manner. The remainder of the large cast
were competent, and the chorus was nu-
SDlen-
didly mounted, and it will probably dupli-
cate here its great success at the Broad
way Theater in New York. A largely in
creased orchestra, under the skillful lead
ersh1p of Sig. de Novelis, was heard with
great pleasure. and contributed to the gem
eral satisfaction of the performance. The
singing of the Star Spangled Banner at
the close of the performance aroused the
patriotic enthusiasm of the audience, a
large portion of which Joined in the nation
al song.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-"An
American Citizen was presented to large
audience at the New National Tbeater last
night. 1t Is not a new play-in fact, a
great deal of it was not new at its first
production. But there Is woven through
the platitudes and commonplace which
are inevitable in the made to-oder drama
vein OF sentiment and an originality as
10 subject which lift the play we'll above
ire contemporary average. TO fit Mr.
Goodwin with a semi-pathetic role repre-
sents most efficient effort in literary
tailoring: Mrs. Ryley has succeeded very
admirably. Mr.. Goodwin is at his best
when he is jocose. His manner Of pro-
0ectlng a Imaginable remark into the midst
of heart-wringing colloquy is something
that few comedians could safely initiate
A constant flow Of merry quips is expected
from him and the effort to temper with
some refining restraints the comic exuber-
ance natural to him is commendabIe and
discreet. The pathos in AN American
Citizen is forceful rather by its quantity
than by it's quality. There are some in
cidents which bring tears as certainly as a
CLUB Will cause man to cry out and utter
ob1urgauons. The woman who loves with
an unspoken love, and who on a darkened
stage caresses some portion Of the loved
ones wardrobe Is pretty sure to bring
sallne moisture to a number of lace pocket
handkerchief.
But this Is a comparatively mild expedi-
ent. The auditor ought to be Injured TO
such Wiles as this. 1t is in the last act
that the determination to open the flood
gates of sentiment with a crowbar If need
be, is evinced. The playwright brings upon
the scene the dead-broke and disconsoIate
lover reduced to the extremities of a red
table cloth and a folding bed; shows how
a turkey sandwich in order to buy velvet
gowns and ostrich feathers for the woman
he loves. He is accompanied by the father
less and motherless protege with a dirty
looms. Through the window dense snow
fall is seen making It's way through a
violent ultra-marine atmosphere. And
there is the fireless hearth that blazes
when the woman comes back to tell the
hero she has found out how noble he is
and the slow curtain on a tableau which
leaves no doubt that they lived happy ever
after. Who could resist such an impera-
tive combination? 1t overwhelms by force
of numbers; you must yield your lachry-
Nose tribute, slight or cop.ous, according
to temperament, and confess that your
ser sibilities are rot impervious TO clap
trap. Self-esteem can be saved only by
the declaration that this clap-trap has
been very deity interpreted as well as
lavishly employed. Miss Maxine Elliott
was received with the evidences of ap-
prevail which her personal beauty and her
marked improvement as a dramatic per-
former deserved 1t was a highly enthusi-
astic audience, and Mr. Goodwin received
a number of curtain calls at the close Of
the third act.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE. alone in
London" with Miss Cora Tanner as the
star, which opened weeks engagement at
the Grand Opera House last night, is ono
of the strongest meiodramas seen here for
long time. The large audience which saw
it was moved to tears more than once at
the hardships and sacrifices Of the heroine
for her heartless husband. 1t was thrilled
by the strong situations and Incidents Miss
Tanner lad shown her capabilities in Wash
ing.on before in the Sporting Duchess"
and the audience last night was not disap-
pointed in the manner she conducted her
self as star. A less capable actress would
have doubtless bean guilty O.. overworking
the role but Miss Tanner carried 1t cleverly
throughout The four-act play tells the
story of simple country maid who marries
a villain and is taken by him to London.
In the big city she is forced to earn her
own br. ad and suffer on acc punt of her I'M.