The Washington times., 1907-01-15


with the hearts of his auditors as his
myriad-suringed instrument struck all
the chords of passion in symphony
which echoed a world Of humOr sym
pathy. pathos. anger, despair, and love.
With the delicate. luminous touch Of a
master artist, Mr.. Warheld pOrtrays a
character that not merely appears in
outline on the stage. but stands forth In
magnificent detail, showing the wonder
ful highIlghts and shadows Of a great
and l0yabIe soul The Music Master Do
as seen for the first time iii Washing
ton al the Belasco Theater last night
b. as truly q creation that viii live as
was Joseph Jefferson RIP Van Win
The true secret Of Mr.. Wardeld's deep
and lasting hold upon his audience Is
the possession ot thar raresJ OF gifts.
the ability 10 take one into his conf
dence, so 10 speak lie lets others not
only see What lac does aud hear what
he says. but feel what ne feels.
The cyuic and The skeptlc, who went
20 see The Music Master last night
with the determination 10 be unique and
pick flaws where the 'hOl p0llOl had
unanimously Endorsed. were among the
rrst 20 yield 10 the magic influence CT
Air. Warueid's cousummatH arr and per
soual magnetism that seemed 10 reach
ITOm behind the Iuouights 10 the most
distant seat In the tnelJer ana carry
the audience as one person through
the entlEe action or the play There was
uuJ moment during the three acts that
the spell Of The quaint, lUyable old
musician was not upon every person
iu the tleater, and when the curtain
fcll for the last time the character
su4 lived Ia the hearts or all who saw
and heard.
The performance was a wonderful
exposition of the heights 10 which dra-
matte art can be brought In Jhe primal
effort 20 hold the mirror uU 10 nature.
The theme OF Charles Klein S play is
not unique 10 the extent that 10 takes
the story beyond the immediate grasp
OF the average pl4ygoer- Its chief
charm lies not In the originality Of plot
but in tie extreme delicaCy Of treat
ment and the opportunity given really
great actor 10 interpret with unerring
skill all the passion of an outraged
parent, all the loving tenderness and
willing self-saCriuCe OF a blg-hearted.
generous soul. ana all the contagious
delight ana happiness that comes 70
one whose dream Is realized after All
hope had fed. The basis OF the plot
around which is Weavea the life story
OF the Music Master is the clone
ment of the musicians wife with "a sup
posed friend. The masters child is
taken with the mother and he spends
the greater part Of his life seeking
her, finally winning his reward
Much has been said Of the wonderful
IaJhos OF Mr.. Warreld's portrayal OF
Herr Won BarWlg. but IN many respects
the most effective feature OF last night 5
performance was the compelling force
and dramatic fire OF the actor when he
broke forth IN a tempestuous philippe
against his betraYcr. Choking with
rage, his suppressed cry, IF you vii.
not love her, i viii love neT. If he will
not take her, / viii take hertz cleo
trines the audience and there is a tingle
IN every nerve until the pathetic fig-
ure.s wrath is spent.
The infinite pathos of the "Afusic
Master Is not that of personal suffer
ing but Of resignation and self-sacrf-
nee Playwright and player have com
blned and given a picture OF lonely
srieT that touches the deepest wells OF
pity and sympathy.
Mr.. Warheld is supported by a truly
CAceienL cast Miss Anl1inette Perry
appears as the music masters daughter
Her Interpretation is fun 81 tender SYM
pathy and womanly love. Her inner
sonatl0n IS marked by great discretion
Miss Perry is the only new member of
the company having succeeded Frances
Starr, who appeared In tins role during
the New York engagement The nam
does not suffer ia any degree in her
hands
Miss Marie Bates gives a character
lZaIlOn OF the maiden lady OF the ola
school that Is In every respect artistic.
The role affords her ample opportunities
for the display of talents which ligve
for several seasons delighted the ICyers
OF the legitimate drama.
Leon kOhlmar as August Poons has
part rich IN eccentric humor. and the
applause which he Won was fully de-
served ". G. Ricciardi. Louis p Yer
ande, -Antoinette Walker. and I,otIis
Hendricks also gave exceutiOnallv clever
representations.