The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-03
CAST OF CHARACTERS.

AISernon y ShdughneSSy-
George M. Henery
SCR Ricardo Bassini. Joseph G. Mironn
Schn1tzel .......................Ed Ed RedWay
Tom Schuyler ................. HerolG Blake
Aramanthe Dedincourt 49,. Marie Cah1lI
TnroSIa .:..-.,................EV Eva Tanguay
Violet SmllaX Nellie Follis
Jacquei1n ............. Margaret Mckinney
Hortense ..........................M May BoIey
Time was when plot, dialogue and
music were considered essential elements
of a successful comic opera. In that
now far-away period the author of the
book and the composer OF the music were
depended on to furnish at least the skeIe-
ton into which the players might breathe
the vital spark. The costUmer, the stage
manager, the scenic artist-the electrician
was unknown in those primitive days
had their place in the production, but
they were relegated to the rear and their
work was subordinated to that of the
men who were responsible for the opera
Now it is changed. During the present
season it has been demonstrated not
once but several times, that plot and
book and music are but of little moment
so long as the stage manager is master
of his art and has an artists eve foc
the massing and grouping of color eff
fects, and the scene painter is able to
furnish a setting that is full of warmth
so in "Florodora,' in king Dodo," in
well, in fact, in every operate comedy or
comic opera which has visited the city
this season. If any further proof be need
ed of the truth of this assertion it is
furnished by 1.-THE Chaperons," which
made its initial bow to a large audience
at the Metropolitan last night.
Truth to tell, there is not much to the
book Of 1.-The Chaperons." In form and
treatment it follows the well-beaten
paths, and contains nothing either new or
original. The plot is too tenuous to be
worthy of the name, the dialogue is not
particularly brilliant, the lyrics that are
worth mentioning are few and far be-
tween, and the work is, as a, whole, a
disappointment The most that can be
said for it is that it furnishes an oppor-
tunity for number Of clever people to
do stunts that are extremely funny.
and who are greeted with a continuous
laugh from the time curtain rises until
it falls on the last chorus. Perhaps that
was the end to which Mr.. Ranken devot-
ed his efforts, and this may have been
the object he had in mind while he was
composing his work. If so, it must be
said he has succeeded admirably and is
entitled to the honor that is due to any,
one who accomplishes what he sets out
to dc.
MI. WItmarK has been a little more
fortunate IN supplying the music, but
this, too, is weak. There are a few
very few good choruses, some tune
full lyrics, and several catchy topical
songs, but none of them indicates ex-
traordinary ability on the part Of the
composer. The most that can be said
for them is that they are tunefuI and
taking. Musicianly quality they have
not but the melodies that Mr.. Witmark
has thrown into the piece make an ad-
mirable accompaniment to the gyrations
of several scores of pretty feet, that keep
time to them, and it is soothing to the
mind that seeks relief from the cares
and vexatfons that are attendant on the
strenuous life. In a word, while deficient
in scholarly quality, the music of the
piece is restful and Of character that
harmonizes well with the general spirit
Of the piece.
But 1t is when one comes to the work
OF the stage manager the scenic artist,
and the costumer, that criticism Is dig
armed. The piece is superbly mounted
ana from the beginning to end, the stage
Is a mass Of eelor that is almost Devil