The Washington herald., 1907-01-13
THE WEEKS PLAY BILLS
David warfieId in @Thc Music Mas
ter" at the BeIaseO.


1t seems hardly necessary to say more
than that David Warheld win be seen in
his phenomenal success. The Music
Master" at the Belasco Theater this
week, 50 much has the production been
talked about and written about from one
end Of the country 10 the other since il
was first presented 10 the public in New
York more than three years ago, It has
been one Of the greatest popular successes
ever known on the American stage. It
has established the reputation Of Mr..
Warheld as rare character actor. and OF
Charles Klein. its author, as playwright
and has added not little to the standing
OF David Belasco. it's producer. as a man
ager OF fine discernment and artistic in
stlncis and purposes. Besides this, Il has
brought In comfortable fortunes to all
who have been lucky enough to be finan-
.eially interested in il. After its wonderful
run IN New York, it was taken on the
road this season, and In ell the cities
where it has been presented Boston,
Philadelphia. Pittsburg, Cincinnati. &c
the performances have been Witnessed by
audiences limited only by the capacity OF
the theaters. There Is no doubt each per
tormance at the Belaseo this week will
be attended by throngs that viii Gil every
seat IN the house. The advance sale Of
seats already demonstrates this.
The Music Master is a comedy-drama
In three acts, by Charles Klein. 1t is
said, however. that there is much in It
that Indicates the hand Of Mr.. Belasco,
not only IN the mounting and production
Dat also In the writing There Is IN the
development OF the plot Il technical di-
rectness of purpose characteristics of the
playwright manager. IN the production
Itself IN the acting Of the play. IN every
detail OF mounting and stage business. "
one can see the master hand Of the artis-
tic Belasco Bat, unlike other BeIasco
productions. THE Music Master" is not
mounted il s.loadOr The settings, one
for each act, are maTbed by absolute sim
piiclty
Herr Anton Won Ba-wig, the title role
played by Mr.. Warfeld, is a German
musician Of ability. man Of culture
and education. He lived with his wife
and baby gin in Leipzig where he was
conductor Of an orchestra. He loved both
his work and hts home life. One night.
after his orchestra had performed for the
Trst time and wiki great success. his own
symphony he turned for the loved an
plausc OF his wife. and found an empty
home His wife had fed taking the
baby girl, with the false friend Of Barwlg.
TO America. He follows in search The
play opens In B3rwig's lowly studio" In
Houston street. on the East Side Of New
York. Il Is sixteen years after he has left
Leipzig and he has not found the object
OF his affections During these years he
has suffered in body and soul. for his
finances are low, his former musical pres
tlge sadly reduced % playing IN dime
museum for n nitlncc: his loved ones
unbound. the sunshine is withheld from
his lonely life. His suneTings have soft
ened his nature. and he sees life phiIo-
sOphically His quaint views feed "A fine
vein Of comedy. and laughter follows
tears and tears follow laughter in quick
succession.
The scene Of the second act s. ia the
music room % a Fifth avenue mansion.
where Barwig is engaged ia giving music
lessons to q daughter Of wealth Here he
meets society" and the further search
for hts daughter Is upfolded
The third act moves down 10 Houston
street again. and the interesting denoue-
ment is here enacted. An exquisite mel
ody by William Furst is played during
the action Of the Ilay with charming ef-
feet
There will be matinees Of The Music
Master" on Thursday and Saturday