Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-03-28
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
ARTS. March f9.-At the age
of 81, NJ. Alexandra Duval is
writing an operetta in collab-
Grafton with NJ. Michael Care.
On the face of it. there would not APP
pear to be anything in that worth not
ing. There are lots of folk writing
operettas--most of which will never
be performed. 1t is the unique per-
sonality and extraordinary versatility
of the sexagenarian composer which
lend uncommon interest to the an
nouncement.
As the Restaurant King" of Paris
NJ. Duvals popular establishments are
familiar to all American visitors to
the gay city He controls 80 of them
and an army Of nearly 1000 workers.
That, in itself, would seem to be q
task sufficient to absorb all of one
mans energies. Exclusive devotion
to one object is almost invariably the
price which is paid for pre-eminent
success in any one line in America.
Rut, In addition TO filling the role Of
the biggest caterer in Paris, Nj. Duval
manages to do other things which
make him a noteworthy man. He is
a musical composer Of rare merit: a
dandy who sets fashions in masculine
apparel; n man OF such brilliant wit
and originality that celebrities delight
in his companionship and possessed of
such fascinating manners that he is
the darling Of the ladies.
TALENT AS a MUSICIAN.
Certainly the most striking side of
NJ Duval's versatile personality, over
and above his great administrative ca
pacity, Is his great talent as n musi-
clan. II is safe to say that had he
been born poor man. or could he
have withdrawn himself from the re-
sponsbilities OF his financial interests,
he might have burst forth upon the
world as second Strauss. He has
composed about 20 waltzes, and 9TH
er dances, marches and songs, and
you may often hear the orchestra OF
the Moulin Houge or Foies Bergere
strike up Il waltz or march which,
or inquiry, you will learn is par AL
exandre Duval.' NJ. Duvars musical
genius Is of the light order, bright.
sparkling and melodious, and it was
doubtless these qualities which mark
ed him out az a worthy collaboration
of NJ. Michael Care, who has earned
for himself q great reputation as a
writer of Couplots in the "revues" of
which the Paris variety stage Is so
| fond.
NJ. Duyal has conided his secret 70
me and the American public Will be
the first to learn the title OF the new
operetta la Il0l1naid." The lihretto
lays the scene in London, at the Em-
| pirc or Alhambra. which you will. A
gentleman has fallen madly In love
| with la Barmaid and proposes mar
| rage on condition that the beautiful
| girl puts on her hat and packs her
! portmanteau straight away, While I.L
| Bannaid has gone TO pack, the amorous
! gentoman's legitimate wife turns up
| and there ensucs series of situations
| full OF rollicklng run and brightest
| comedy. The composer has nearly I'M
ished his score, Already there Is a fiut-
| ter uf excitement among the managers.
! but il Is probable that the operctta will
be produced by the Vaudeville, the
! Coincide ROyale or the Thoater deH
/ Capucines Nj. DuYal and Care are
veiy anxious that Ia Barmaid should
be created by Miss Compton, who Is
now appearing al me Folles Bergere,
| and they would even prefer 10 delay
Inc production OF ia Rarmald" untll
the autumn, II that lady's engagement
| does not finish I'm time for her 10
create the new role this season,
NOT A sELF-MADE MAN.
Although he Is an excellent pianist.
NJ DuNal has never been under any
very distinguished master lie has, III
course. studied harmony ana counter
point but ne is essentially a sef-made
musician. He Is thoroughly personal
and original in everything he does ana
this characteristic finds expression In
his music also.
nllt though 10 some extent he Ia a
self-made musician. NJ Alexandra Du,
val is moi self-made man. lie IN.
| herited considerable fortune from