The Washington times., 1901-12-08

Gently given for the first time at the
Opera Comique in Paris. for It is des-
tined to be seen in many cities. The
libretto is taken. like the librettos OF so
many operas, from an old Florentine tale.
Its half-supernatural plot would be in
coLgruous without a musical surround
ing. Satan. in Mephistophelean makeup.
tries to accomplish the fall Of a sweet
wife. whose husband is away on the Cru.
sades. by bringing up a rustic childhood
lover The wife is almost consenting to
eIope when the sight of her child re-
strains her Satan, seeing that mother
love is one OF the strongest Of virtues,
kidnaps the child. but by the Interference
Of Saint Agnes the child is restored as the
husband returns. The critics say that
Massenets S music has not reached the
heights OF some former compositions. but
there is unanimous praise for the beauty.
the marvellous sweetness and the delicacy
Of his themes In "Grlseldis" The criti-
cisms TEEN with such expressions as ex-
quisite. emotional, delicious, infinite ten
derness and charming.
stage Novelty.
The latest stage novelty is the introduc-
tion OF the motor car into Wagnerian
opera. yet it Is not Inconsistent. and Jean
de Reslke is responsible for it. The
great tenor is experimenting the produc,
tion Of "Siegfried" at the Grand Opera
House in Paris with a magnincence aud
wealth OF detail that will surpass even
Baireuth or the Metropolitan presenta-
uons in New York The dragon is TO be
an automobile dragon that will run out OF
its cave and gyrate about the stage in a
manner that viii give Siegfried plenty OF
exercise in conquering it, In most pro,
ductions Of "Siegfrled" Il has needed all
the power OF Wagner's music to prevent
the clumsy dragon dragged about with
strings from making the whole scene
ridiculous. But with an automobile in his
cavernous inside, the Paris dragon will be
a marvel Of realism and activity.
Mr.. Alfred ROthschild gave q dinner and
musicale at his luxurious London residence
few evenings ago that will rank as one
Of the most costly OF the season. and az
the same time his guests include 50 many
different branches and nationalities of SO
ciety that the whole affair stands unique
First at dinner the noted guests were
Earl and Countess de Grey, leaders OF
society: Mrs. George CORVALLIS West.
formerly Lady Randolph Churchill. Mrs
Ronalds. who leads American society in
London. Miss Edna May. the famous
Belle OF New York. NJ Santos -Dumont,
the Brazilian Of airship fame; Mr.. and
Mrs. John Philip SOusa. Sousas band be
ing all the rage in London. and Mr.
George Edwardes, whose Gaiety Theatre is
famed for its comic operas and pretty
girls. After dinner there was a musicale
at which Nine. Melha sang for an enor-
nous price, lsay played the violin. ditto.
and various other artists lent charm TO
the entertainment For this musicale So
clety Hooked in lords and ladies OF all de-
grees being as much Interested in Mr.
hothschild's dinner party nctablcs whose
names are in the papers daily. as in the
artists who were earning their fees bY
singing and playing
snntos-Dumont and His Money.
santos-Dumont. having decided to give
to charity 800 900. or half the prize which
he won for circling the Einer Tower in
his airship, was puzzled to know whore
to apply the money with the aid Of NJ.
Lepine. head OF the Paris police. he de
cided on an effective plan. The money
will be spent in redeeming from pawn
shops in poor quarters articles OF bed
ding and warm clothing which people We're
forced to pawn during the past summer
and need so much now.
This prefect of Paris police. the most /
powerful and feared man in France. has /
the kindest of hearts and considerate |
regard for the poor that would seem more I
fitting in a humanitarian than police |
man. One OF the projects great troubles |
Is the regulation OF the street hawkers
who throng the boulevards and main