The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-22
At St. Paul Theaters

contrary, has the grand air." the eX-
elusive property originally of kings and
princes of the blood, but in these lat
ter days appropriated by musical gem
fuses. There is more of scorn than of
humor in his smile. Applause does
not pierce his naughty reserve. He
permits but he does not encourage ova-
tionS
1t would be difficult to say whether
this piquant contrast added ANYTHING
to the audiences pleasure last night at
the Park Congregational church. where
krefsler and Hofmann gave a recital,
but that the audience did enjoy itself
was well evidenced throughout the
evening. Its applause was frequent
and spontaneous. Because of this very
apparent appreciation, two numbers
were added to the admirable pro-
gramme
Fritz kreisler was the stranger last
night, and therefore the special in
terest centered in him. His technique
Is rather dazzling. The Mendelssohn
concerto that he played as a substi-
tute number Che intended to play
Tartini's Devils Trill," but it was
announced that the music was lost or
stolen in Minneapolis) exhibited his
mastery of most of the secrets of vio-
lin playing. But the inexpressibly sad
'Humoresque." by Dvorak, proved
more concluSively than ANYTHING else
great The "Humoresque" is folk mu-
sic, and as played by Kreisler it seems
TO express all the exquisite pathos that
genius invariably reads i'm the lives of
peasant tillers of the soil
Apparently the violinist is very fond
OF the eighteenth century Tartini He
played some variations of his on
theme of Corellis. In the same group
was Suffers 'Sarabande," and Por-
posa's "Minuett," the former a de-
I1clous bit of harmony, the latter a
dance full of alluring abandon. At
least that is the way Kreisler PLAYED
the Minuett. In Mrs. Hoffman he
mad most sympathetic accompanist.
The adjective has been used so fire.
quently TO explain Mrs. Hoffman's sue
cess that it is worn rather threadbare
Nevertheless, one might seek in vain
Tor one more explanatory. Her mu-
slcal understanding places her tech
meal equipment at the service of the
voice OF the instrument she accompa-
mes. 1t did this last night, and
therefore her success was, as usual
pronounced.
In speaking of Josef Hofmanns play
ing, Il is temptation to use superla-
yves. The young pianist has been ac-
cused of stabbing the masters. 1t is
true enough that one does not find as
| much of the delicate embroidery OF
or a Pachmann, but nevertheless his
| readings of the composers are fast be-
coming mastery and his superb tech
nlque is something to wonder at al
ways He concluded his programme
with dignity and feeling; Chopin's A
| pyrotechnics of which Invariably de-
| light an audience. His other solos last
night We're Liszts 'Funerailles." a
great composition which he interpreted
with dignity and feeling; Chopin's A
major polonaise and two compositions
| or his own, a berceuse and maZurka
both melodious and appealing. The
Grieg + major sonata was played by
hrelsler and Hofmann. The elfin-like
| music was beautifully expressed by
| piano and VIOLIN
The audience last night was large
and representative.
"The County Chairman" George
AIDES first venture into the Legitimate"
| field of comedy, will close its engage
ment at the Metropolitan with a mat
| inee today at Z: 80 and a last perform
| ance tonight. The scenes. are laid in
| the town of Antioch, supposed to be
located somewhere in the Mississippi
valley. There are four acts, the first
| taking place in. front of Jimmison's
| general store, the second in the court
house grove. the third in the law Of
1 the town hall on election night, when
returns are being received. 1t will be
seen that the play is rural in charac-
| ter. and has to deal with country life
| in the Middle West, a subject with
which Mr.. AIDE is very familiar. Love
and politics form the dramatic ma
| terial, the plot having to do with a
contest for the Office of states attor-
ney.
Edna Wallace Hopper, one of the
most popular of the younger set of
| actresses. is announced as the attrac-
| tion at the Metropolitan opera house
! for four nights and Wednesday mat
| inee, commencing Sunday night. Feb
| 26. Miss Hopper is now appearing in
| comedy, and one which is said to be
full of bright and clever lines and sit
| uations. 1t is called "A Country Mouse"
| and its story relates the adventures of
| an apparently unSophisticated young
country girl in London. who is the en-
| bodiment of unconscious simplicity.
| She comes to the English city fresh
| from the green fields and wild flow
ers. While in London she is intro
duced into fashionable set but loses
none of her rustic charm and simpiic-
| ity. A curtain raiser called Captain
| January will also be presented by Miss
Hopper and her company in addition to
| the comedy.
The Korean comic opera, "The Sho-
Gun" by George Ade and Gustav Lu-
ders, is the next Henry w. Savage
offering, which will be presented in
| this city at the Metropolitan tomorrow
night and for the balance of the week,
with matinee on Saturday. The au-
thor of THE College Widow and The
| County Chairman" is as successful in
furnishing satirical and amusing Ii
| brettOs for the purpose of being set TO
music as he is in straight comedy, and
! the book The Shotgun" is ranked by
| the critics among his best efforts.
The first popular priced matinee Of
THE Lighthouse by the Sea" will be
given at the Grand today at 2:30.
| While the piece is sensational the
story is presented with such telling
| effect that the audience is deeply i'm
pressed with the truths presented. It
| teens with dramatic interest, touches
| the hearts of men, women and children.
The production has been enlarged
somewhat over last season and the
several characters in the play are in
terpreted by players especially suited
| for the roles.
If James K. Hackett who appears at
| the Metropolitan opera house the lat
ter half of next week in The Fortunes