The sun., 1903-11-17
FRITZ SCHEFF IN OPERETTA.
CHE MAKES A HIT IN "BABETTE"
THE BROADWAY THEATRE.
ri, curtain Calls and . Speech for the
Former Singer in Grand Opera-And
Finally She Rugged ana Kissed Victor
Herbert Before the Audience.

AZ the end OF the second act Of "Babette-
q. the Broadway Theatre last night FRITZ
schef, onetime grand opera singer, was
called out six times and then forced to make
the inevitable speech. Hardly any one
In the house knew what she said. She
hardly knew. for she was on the verge Of
hysterics. But the speech made a tre-
mendous hit. and Nine. Scheff was called
ou, again This time she brought with her
Victor Herbert. who composed the music
If "Babette,H and while ne was trying to
make speech she threw her arms around
his neck and kissed him. Mysteries had
pon. Not that a woman must necessarily
he hvstercal to kiss Victor Herbert for he
/. a good looking man; but Nine ScheT had
husband somewhere about and she might
have thought Of him, II she had been think
ing a. all.
Nine scheff was last year member
If Maurice Grau's opera company at the
Metropolitan Opera House. Every one
used to say that she would be great sue
cess in operetta. She was born soubrette,
,hey saId-that is, those of them who knew
,he true meaning of "soubrette.' When
(, was announced that she would 60 into
comic opera" this year. every one said
Great She'll be A wonder So last night
every one went to see mis- prediction fulfilled,
and 90 far as she was concerned it VAS.
Mr Herbert, in his little speech, said that
II there was weak spot in the enterta ain
nlent it was his fault But 1t was not.
The weak spots we're all the creations
of the TOO busy brain of Harry B. Smith.
The book Of "Babette" is neither clear nor
witty. II is hard to tell how things happen,
what they are when they do happen, or
how they cease to happen. Some one is
plotting that is clear What he is plotting
i not clear, Some one else is trying to foil
he plot. but how is he nnestio
But no matter: If the plot afforded
we're prolific in bright lines, the presence
of so much plot might be forgiven. There
are no situations comic or otherwise, and
the fun is all provided by Louis Harrison
in the good old Harrisonian manner. VIC
Tor Herhert's music ia delightful Hardly
a number in the operet'a fails to deserve
.he warm applause Of an audience. The
solos are charming, the duet in the first
act is a gem, the ensembles are admirable.
In short the attractions If "Babette"-
and it has many-are the music, the pretty
stage pictures, the exceently trained
chorus the tasteful scenery and costumes
and FRITZ ScheH. Nine Schers part
does not give her great opportunities for
acting but ii enables her to wear several
captivating costumes. to show her unfail-
ing grace, vivacity and piquancy, and to
demonstrate that she Is far and away the
hest singing soubrette now on the stage
She will do much better than she d i'd last
night, when she was over anxious and ner-
vous But she achieved a brilliant per-
sonal success and has undoubtedly found
the right field for the exercise Of her talents
She was capably assisted by Louis Har-
rlson. Eugene Cowles and Josephine Bart
lett. all experienced operetta performers.
There were others who were acceptable,
together with a competent orchestra.
The staging OF the play by F. G. Latham
was highly credtabe.