The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-17
Dramatic and MUSICAL
METROPOLITAN.

1t is a long time since st. Paul has seen
the equal of the operate attraction which
opened at the Metropolitan last evening, with
Alice Nielsen as its star and a galaxy of mu
steal stars the like Of which has not recently
been mustered in one company in this vi
cinty.
Muscally, perhaps, THE Fortune Teller"
does not abound in those catchy ballads that
have helped to make composers of other
operas famous, but Victor Herbert would not
have any cause to blush were his life's work
to be reckoned by the of the new opera.
In the hands of the company which pre-
scented it last night it must make hit
among the most unappreciative; the posi-
blity of its failure is inconceivable, unless it
was presented as a holiday entertainment for
the students of "a school for the deaf. and
even then the antics Of the three stellar
comedians ought to prove its salvation.
Miss Nielsen, who made her first appear
ance a star in this city last night, was
no disappointment and much was expected Of
her, not only because of the favorable i'm
preston she has created elsewhere, but be-
cause of the promise she gave years ago in
minor roles with one of the best Of the
operate combinations then on the road. With
q voice as sweet as it is rich, and yet so
penetrating that it seemed hardly possible
that the tones came from so small compass
as her small figure, the dainty little prima
donna combines a stage presence so winsome
to battle captious criticism and to chal-
lenge universal admiration Sweet as the
gay gypsy fortune teller; delicious as a
prospective bride her conquest is not COM
pleted until she appropriately appears in the
military costume of the hussars. Years alone
she lacks apparently, for the charm of youth
is hers, and it hides we'll the but slightly
noticeable lack of composure which will be
obliterated with the coming of maturer
years.
Eugene Cowles' Sander ranks with his
armorer in robin Hood" The older role
has made its fame; the newer must. To him,
indeed, is owing much Of the magnificent sue
cess Of the second act. When the gypsy low
er stands in a darkened stage with a pic
turesque mountainous background, and a
ruddy light g,ows in the conservatory at his
left, all the arts of the stage are brought into
harmony with that voice, the peer of any in
the operate world. When 'sthe birds In the
forest are calling the opening of his sere-
made to Musette, rushes from that magnificent
throat the audience sits hushed Even
Musette hserself coming in full ray of the
limelght to the balcony before him. awakens
but a murmur from a spellbound crowd
Musically, this is the triumph Of the opera
although his Jan Was a Gypsy Bod" In
the third act is powerful solo with chords
in which Mr.. Cowles accentuates the honors
he has already gained.
Frank Rushworth, a tenor Of excellent quail
ifcatons, fills the role of Capt. Ladislas with
credit to himself and the company
1.-The Fortune Teller" abounds in wit, and
some latitude is given the comedians, than
whom 1t would be difficult to pick three bet
ter in the word than Golden, Herbert and
Cawthorn. The dialogue is down to date and
not bit of by-play is lost through lack of
interest ON the part Of the players. Golden is
cast Fresco. a ballet master Of Buda-
pest, and while he shows a wonderful
familiarity with the incidents of the recent
Spanisfl-American war, his indubitable abil-
ity cannot be called in question. Golden's
operate light might be hidden under a half
pint, but as a comedian he could command
his bushel anywhere. His makeup is ire,
proachable.
In the eccentric role of Count Berezowski.
Joseph Herbert is congenially cast. Mr.. Her
bert's pantomime Is exquisite adding a deft
touch to the humor of the lines in MANY
cases that is CONFUSING and nothing less.
Joseph Cawthorn appears as Boris. Mu.
settles father. Cawthorns presence Ia mirtb
itself The ludricrous is his inspiration. and
his by-play is irresistible. With such a trio
Of comedians The Fortune Teller" could