The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-05

De Wolf Hopper comes to the Metro
pClitan opera house this week in
Sousa's comic opera, The Charlatan.
OF Sousa's music in this new comic
opera the best critics have pronounced
il away and ahead of anything that
the March King has so far written.
While in the opera there are two splen-
did march numbers, Sousa has compos-
ed some lighter airs that are pronounc-
ed delightful and captivating.
The book of The Chariatan' is by
Charlie Klein, author of lei Captain.
Unlike most comic opera librettos this
one has d stirring story. The lyrics are
said 10 be catchy and captivating.
which with the rhythmic swing of
Sousa's music can hardly fail to please.
Mr. HOPPER is said to have been pro-
vided with role that is exactly to
his liking.
Mr. Hoppers company this year is
as good as he has ever employed. In
fact, The Charlatan'' requires larg-
er and more important east than did
"El Captain" In other respects 1t is
a more important production than the
old faVorite. The scenery and costumes
of The Charlatan" are pronounced
handsome and elaborate. Mr.. Hop
per's productions have always been
first-class. but this one is said to cap
all his former efforts.
The action of the piece takes place
in KOhhara, a province in the south
ern part of Russia. Previous to the
opening of the opera, Prince Boris
father has, contracted an alliance with
a peasant girl, which SO angered the
cZar that a decree was issued TO the
effect that should Prince Boris, the
offspring of the issue, marry beneath
the rank of princess, his title and eS-
tateS are to be forfeited to the nearest
of kin. The prince is very much of a
ladies' man, and Gogol, his uncle and
only surviving relative, confidently eX-
poets that his nephew will forfeit his
title and Inheritance. This condition
of affairs is disclosed when the curtain
rises on country fair
The main feature of this fair Is the
appearance ola famous prestidigitateur
named Demidoff (Mr. Hopper, accom-
panied by his pretty daughter, Anna.
Dcmidoff is an unScrupulous charla-
tan and lends himself readily to Co
gol's scheme to palm off his daughter,
Anna, to Boris as the Princess Ruch-
kcWski, a title which Gogol believes
to be extinct. Boris at once falls in
love with her, much to the chagrin of
Sophia, GogoPs daughter, and greatly
to the delight of DemidOff who believes
that his daughter is making a wealthy
the cZarS decree. Sophia learns of the
trick as the marriage is about 10 take
place between Demidoff's daughter
and the prince and enters into scheme
with a young girl attached to Demi-
doff's caravan, Katrinka by name
(Miss Judson), to make her appearance
on the scene herself as Princess Ruch-
kowski. Her plans miscarry, however
and the marriage takes place
q folt Y
following the marriage ceremony, the
real Princess Ruchkowski accompa-
MED by her husband, who is no less a
distinguished parsonage than the
grand duke, enters and Immediately
sends for the girl who usurps the title.
The cJnSpirators are very much
frightened at the situation, knowing
that the punishment will be severe
but Demidoff believes that the prince
his son-in-law, will protect him from
the grand dukes wrath. Gogol then
informs Demidoff that his daughter Is
married to a beggar, as his action in
marrying a woman of plebian origin
has resulted in his forfeiting his title
and estates Demidoff thereupon pre-
tends that the whole scheme is one OF
his famous optical illusions and trans
forms his daughter Anna Miss Bergen
into space by means .of magic The
grand duke orders him seized by the
guards, accusing him of witchcraft
and, seeing that he is in danger of bod
fly harm, attempts to bring his daugh-
ter back. Anna, however, feels keenly
the shame Of having disgraced the
prince, whom she loves, and runs away
and at the end of the second act Dami-
dOff is seized and accused of being her
destroyer.
The third act discloses the trial scene