New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-19

would prefer for time at least 70 use his mind
rather than his legs. It Is laudable ambition:
that must be granted But does It disclose wisdom
on his part?
II was clever instinct that saw the making Of
an opera In VI Rostand's play. even II it a
mistaken one that chose another treatment ~ II
than one Of frank and broad burlesque for Mr. VIII
son Only in such treatment could the loss Of the
French poets literary ingenuity and scntant
intellectually elusive the best translation and
hopelessy antagonistlc to musical farce-be con-
doned. French opera nbrettists VIGOROUSLY
without reverence bowels OF compassion when
handling the masterpieces Of English or German
poets but the merest penny-a-l liner among them
could have turned VI. Rostand's play into eff
fective opera. The hymning OF "le panache" would
nave been an obvious delight. and the rest lay
upon the hand" as the Germans say Much ~ the
play Is conceived old fashioned operate lines
the motley gathering. with it's medley OF cries. in
the first scene, the song Of the dueo. the pastry
cooks poeticsl recipe the love declaration by
proxy ian opera lovers memories bark back 10
Don GiovanniO the song Of the cadets Of Gas
cony the camp scene before the battle and the
battle itself-al were made for the lyric stage
And what pregnant and delightful musical sugges-
lions lie in the scene. with the musicians whom
Cyrano sends of to play pavan out Of tune for
De Guche while ne wins happiness for Christian.
Here we're the principal elements OF an opera book
TO hand. A hook with ending 10 suit the Opera
Comique by emitting the death n Christian.
a "denouement allemande' by retaining the third
act and treating II In the style OF La Navarrase"
But such notions. while they would doubtless have
appealed land did appeal to Mr. Herbert. the
poser and also M doubt n Mr. Wilson were he
singer. wele far beyond the horizon Of Mr.. VIII
son. the comedian without a voice whom the sngu-
lar and inexplicable conditions OF the American
stage have compelled 10 appear In operetta. Mr..
Wilson. We fancy is chiefly responsible for the
operetta. and therefore entitled to the credit of
having aimed at the creation OF something like an
opera comque His book constructed ny Stuart
Reed. and the words Of his lyrics were written
(and very clevery. under the circumstances nv
Harry y. Smith. Mr. Herbert sympa thzed SIN
cerey with much Of Mr.. Wilson's ambition and
his facle melodic fancy. no less than his trained
and ingenious musicanshp. employed over and
over again with fine effectiveness. In fact. there
was no scene which recalled NJ. Rostands play in
which Mr. Herbert's music not all that would
have been asked had the book been written
either OF the lines suggested above. Even in the
ridiculous variation Of the original first act made
TO introduce Cyrano country pumpkin. Mr.
Herbert extremely happy with his touch ~
local color. while hi opening chorus and his sec
ond finale are a high plane. in both conception
and execution.
After this II will not surprise any one familiar
with the taste and intelligence OF New-York oper-
eta audiences 10 hear that the people who last
night greeted the work in friendly fashion, be
cause they have long admired Mr. Wilson and could
not escape the fascination Of Mr.. Herberts music,
seemed good deal puzzled by the entertainment
set before them Mr.. Wilson tried TO play familiar
scenes seriously. tried 10 declaim and act 70
stir the emotions of his auditors: but he Is least
% all an unconscious humorist and he vas only
entertaining when he amusing and only anus
ing when he was funny on the Old Wilsonian lines
minus the acrooa'cs The simplest explanation Of
the phenomenon might he that the public found
"Cyrano de Bergerao" done into music in palp4-
he imitation % the French play. but without credit
neither fish. flesh nor fowl and knew not what 10
do With good red herring The furniture ~ the play
is beautiful and effective but the company uni
formly below the standard 70 which the public have
been accustomed by M Wilson