The Washington times., 1905-01-08
Hope for Opera
Schumann Helnk's Restora-
live EffeCt-TEio Of Good
Comedians = Convention
Halls Future" "PaTsifol. !"

Nine Scllumann-Heink nlumined the
operate horizon for Washington this
past week. It is unlikely that any otner
light opera luminary will shine so
brightly Mime. Schen, who also stepped
from grand opera, is brilliant star but
neither she nor any other vocalist now
on the stage can do so much for comic
opera as Mime Schumann-H Heink.
IN the first place the star of Loves
Lottery1 is the grea test contralto alive
If there was a fair basis of comparison
it might be said that she is the greatest
contralto in the history of opera. What
ever she sings takes on melody and
sweetness because of the physical purity
of her tones; and If the music is half
worthy of her art it takes on also In
telliges1c4 ~---.5..tr eli the other
great opera.
ave called #
lnge and Ed
m nave written the
80. a seriously The Times viii let it go
at that Where it fails to occupy Nine
Schumann-Hejnk she interpolates good
music from other sources. So il is that
on the whole the performance may be
said TO display the stars greatest vocal
Accomplishment with satisfaction to its
audiences.
Schumann-Heink as Missionary.
There is a missionary aspect TO this
introduction of other numbers Those
who heard Mime. Schumann-Fieink sing
the drinking song from 'fLucretia Borgia
were sure to wonder what the Whole
opera might be like; and musical knoUFi-
edge. ike knowledge OF all other kinds,
had its beginning in wonder. Further
mere, the -.Froehhngsled" and the
s'Brindisi" rather disparage the light
opera music of today and 50 afford the
casual 1heatergoer an opportunity OF
comparison which must in the end lift
him up TO better standards And there
is, still further. some satisfaction in The
thought tnat great singers can enter
comic opera with every assurance oi
gcttIre good music TO sing: because i
tne noderns cannot write it TIE manage
ment can lift good music out Of her cid
er operas.
Nine ScEumann-Heink appears II
much advantage as q commedienne. i
she is not young and blooming she il
still full of poise, gracious, charming
and sweet Her sense of hunor is al
most a talent Her pleasure in singin;
and acting is infectious. And SO the audi
enee sits through the opera, condemn;
the recurring dullness and waiting pa
tientIy for Nine Schumann-Heink t
sing
Tie performance of Monday night i
appears was no fair Indication of tn
cornpany's capabilities. The baryton
was a substitute (and hearing him sin
was a sufficient explanation why he ia
not become a regular), and the indecis
ion of that one role unset all the quartz
and quintet singing of the evening
Later the management engaged Jon
Duffey. p Washingtonian who can sir
= well enough for any~Sarytone role i
sight opera, and Loves Lottery too
on a new- lease OF life.
Good Musical Comedy On Tap.
.'Pin. PaH. Pouf'-an Offering By til
same management, proved laughabI
brisk, dashing musical comedy, not il
aptIy called "a musical cocktail" NJ
Foy. Mr.. Graham, and Miss Fischer al
trio hard 10 beat. All three are boz
comedians, and all three have accents
BILE roles in tPin. Pan, Pouf" Coo
musical comedy pieases everyone The
is no earthly reason why any critic shou
sccrp it: for, If the music is light ar
sprightly and the comedV good. il fu
fills All the purposes Shakespeare h.
in mind wnen he wrote such plays
''Tbe Comedy Of Errors. and Love
Labor Lost" 1t is the understanuis
that Nr. Foy leaves the cast Of "Pi
Paf. Poufy today.
Henrietta crosman did fairly Wa
at Convention Hall in the Belasco pia
sweet Kitty BelIairs, A year al
this play was rated in these columns
es rather an fnconsequcntfal compos
ton, TO the amazemert and horror
everyone interested in the Belasco DR.
duction. The Times WIS itself su
prised TO see how nearly alone
stood. and wayered in faith in its ov
judgment. Today. for the sake
encouraging Miss Crosman and N
Belasco in making productions Of th
size. 1t would willingly forego al