The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-05
At St. Paul Theaters

After all, the comic operas of a dec
ade and quarter of a century ago are
the most satisfying Contrasted with
the abundant crop of musical comedies
raised during the past ten years, they
are in the ratio of the sun to the
moon.
"Erminie," whose revival by Francis
Wilson was presented al the Metropoli-
tan last night before a large audience
for st. Paul-iS by no means as pre-
tentiouS in point of the score as many
of its contemporaries, notably the Gill
bert and Sullivan series, and the works
of Strauss, Millocker and Audran, and
the earlier compositions of Ofenbach
and Lecocq. But it achieves the pur-
pose of its composer and Iibrcttist in
highly felicitOus manner.
The story. while borroWed-the
worlds greatest dramatiSt took that
hberty-sustains interest from the mo-
ment the two fugitive thieves appear.
The music, while cast in lighter vein
than that Of many other comic operas,
Is invariably melodiOus, original and
catchy" This last quality is an abso-
lutte guaranty of longevity in a comic
opera, but unfortunately for impre-
sarios who have met financial disaster
in exploiting this form Of entertain
ment, the test cannot be applied with
out first undergoing the expense OF
production.
Last nights performance was crowd
ed with "reminiscences for those who
had the good fortune to see the original
production with Francis Wilson in the
role of Caddy, the smaller but not the
lesser thief. Pirated editions Of this
work have been presented here by
cheap summer opera companies, whose
every effort was a libel on composer
and librettist. 1t was therefore some
thing in the nature of a boon to wit
ness a real, an adequate, picturesque
production Of this pleasing comic OPP
era, by the most artistic comic opera
comedian in this country, surrounded
by such recognized opponents as Jessie
Bartlett Davis, Marguerite Sylvia, Will
liam Broderick and a competent chO-
rus.
Francis Wilson is, indeed, sui generis.
He achieves results, and results" in
his case mean laughter without resort
to cheap buffoonery and mere noise.
His Caddy is just as agile and just as
funny as it was eighteen years ago.
Mr. Wilson speaks the lines with that
inimitable accent and infection which
never permit a syllable to be lost, but,
on the contrary, emphasize the wit or
the ludicrous sense of the remark, and
he accompanies every word, whether
sung or spoken, with glance of the
eye, an insinuating smile, a gesture of
the hand or leg-for his legs are elo-
quent-that prove absolutely irresisti-
BILE. 1t is a delight to contemplate this
artists methods. Even those to whose
risibilities he may not appeal cannot
gainsay his skilIful blending Of word
and action.
In the second act Mr.. Wilson and
Clara Belle Jerome interpolated de-
cidedly unique song and dance entitled
Joseph, James and JOHN which won
countless encOres. At the close of the
act Mr.. Wilson was compelled to
make a speech. He did so, while hold
ing his wig in his hand 1t was a
humorous achievement, containing a
jocose thrust at New York audiences,
Mr.. Wilson explaining that 'Erminie"
had been eXpurgated before leaving
New York"
Marguerite Sylvia, in the title role,
radiantly pretty and seemingly slighter
Of figure and even more graceful than
| of yOre, sang the sweet lullaby in the
| second act with much sympathy. She
was indeed good to look upon.
The agreeable picture she presented
was doubled by the engaging, smiling
| face, handsome figure and rich con-
tralto voice of Jessie Bartlett Davis.
| Mrs. Davis never presented a more
! picturesque appearance than in the
| costume of white worn by Capt. Delau-
| interpolated solos in this act, for the
! role is a minor one. She was evidently
| struggling with a cold, which caused
! her to avoid her famous lower tones.
Clara Belle Jerome, a graceful SOU
| brette, contributed an excellent i'm
| PRESERVATION of the mischievOus Javotte.
Her speciality, in conjunction with Mr..
| Wilson, was the distinct hit of the
| performance.
William Broderick merits emphatic
praise for his portrayal of Ravennes,
the Chesterfieldian rogue and vaga-
bond. He read his lines admirably
and displayed a resonant, we'll con-
| trolled bassO cantante.
Sig. Perugini, who once sang Faust
| to Mime. PATHS Marguerite, gave an
excellent characterization Of the sus-
| ceptible and foppish chevalier. Robert
| Broderick looked the role Of the Mar
quis Pomvert, Erminies father.
A melodious tenor voice, free from
affectation, true and clear as a bell,
| was displayed by William c. Weeden.
| The scenery and costumes in the
| second act are effective.
F. G. H