Evening star., 1903-11-10
THE THEATE R.
New National Theater.

The new opera "Babette," as presented
for the first time on any stage at the New
National Theater last night was a
graceful gust of fresh air in theater at
mosphere which has SO long been heavy
with the miasm of musical comedy. 1t
required no peculiar prophetic gifts to see
that the stage would soon demand in Its
musical entertainments something OF the
rational interest that is becoming more
and more essential in its comedies. The
fact that MIR. Charles Dillingham;, whose
career as a producer of the legitimate
drama has been so auspiciously successfui,
had decided to interest himself IN comic
opera" was ample assurance that an fnteiii-
gent effort would be made to invest that
form of entertainment with its old-time
fascination and dignities
Before the first act was over "Babette
had asserted itself, in defiance Of its rather
inconsequenttal title, as a production OF
substantial merit and enduring quality
How much Of this impression is due to the
inspiration offered by Harry b. Smith
book, which contains some Of the best
rhyming he has done since the days OF
Robin Hood how much to the exqulslte
manner in which Mr.. Herberts music VI
talizes and embellishes the librettist's ran
cies; how much to the splendors OF the
production and the precision of stage man
agement it would be Impossible to deter-
mine. The work appears as harmonious
and Intelligent cooperation, one of those
rare and delightful experiments IN tne
chemistry of art which succeed In unltlng
all ingredients into permanent substance.
But one thing is certain-the mysterious
atom needful to crystalline the production
into it's present brilliancy is provided py
the personality of the star. FRITZ Semen:
This lady is in danger of suffering mus
tice in the quest of complimentary aoJec-
tives which is bound to occur. >,
To describe her as possessing enc,
abandon" Animation and those other
hackneyed attributes of the successdui
songstress and comed.enne is to over
shadow the gentle repose of when sne Is
capable and the superb vocal art when
seems as natural to her as ordinary speecn.
To dwell with emphasis upon ner seps@tu @
vocal gifts and the quiet sincerity OF heI
art in moments that call for sincerity ana
qufetude threatens too scant an apprecia
ton of the sparkling vitality which puppies
forth with inexhaustible exmlaratloil. one
is an experience that defies comparison.
The annals of the stage within reasonable
recollection present no prototype.
The company is notable one: MT. Gu
gene Cowles, with his Wonder1ui iasuIa1
voice. powerful at times to the point or su.
perf1uity. was a highly popular memper ol
the cast. The comedy was largely IN the
hands of Louis Harrison ana +. J. Sonhei
ly. While the subject does not aoinit ~.
much satirical treatment, one line In MT.
Smiths libretto- appealed with pecuilai
force to current interest. The remark
Diplomats never steal; they annex, Iouho
a hearty response, especially IRON sne % "a Hse
representation of Washington's ofhcial lie
that was present.
The merry villagers and gentlemen ana
ladies of the court whose presence IN ue-
nure hut gorgeous costume gave guaran-
tee that this was strict comic opera were
multitudinous and picturesque.
"Babette" lacks no attribute OF success.
1t has scenic beauties Of extraordlnary
splendor, a plot which, while not OF great
narrative strength, presents situations that
speak for themselves, gorgeous costumes,
music In which popular charm 1s complneo
with originality and musicianly skill. a fine
ca st. an excellent chorus-and FRITZ Schen.