The Washington herald., 1908-05-05
NatlonaI-"wizard of the NiIe.1

NatscnaI-sWizard of the Nile"
The second week Of the engagement Of
the Aborn Opera Company at the Na-
tional Theater for the summer season
was opened last night with the produc-
ton OF The Wizard OF the Nile" the
comic opera by Harry B. Smith and Vic
tor Herbert which has met with success
throughout the decade since its first pro-
duction. under whatever condition 1t has
been produced. and by whatever class OF
singers and comedians il has been rem
dered.
The music is tuneful, but by constant
reiteration has become. perhaps. too IA
miliar: while the action and situations
afford great opportunity for comedy, espe-
cially that broad variety which depends
for success on oddity OF costume and
makeup. coupled with ecoentricity Of man
ner and grotesqueness Of character poT-
tTayaL At all events, this class Of mu-
sieal production is much more justly en-
titled 20 the name Of comic opera than
the hosts OF burlesque-like aggregations
which have usurped the title of late.
Considerable interest is added to the
{
! leading soprano role is rendered by a
Washingtonian. Miss Rene Dietrich Last
night her friends were present in force.
and she met with an extremely hatteTing
reception. after her fine rendition OF
/ What Is Lover being presented with
| several huge clusters Of roses. Her in
| depreciation OF the role throughout was
| pleasing, and her singing very effective.
/ displaying a light voice. OF good quality
and training. with notable power in the
| upper register.
The musical gem Of the evening. how
ever. was the rendition. at the opening Of
the second act. OF the serenade. y Adore
/ Thee" by Miss Fritzie Won Busing. who
/ appears as Abydos. She has a full tone,
and Is really the most dramatic singer In
the cast, although placed in a frivolous
role. with small opportunity. Miss Greta
/ Risley is also effective as Simoona. and
/ Frank Rushworth. the tenor, as Ptar-
7 migan, is rather weak.
| The principal comedy role, that OF
/ Kibosh, so strongly associated with
/ Frank Daniels, falls to Charles Myers,
/ who is q successful comedian of the
/ clown variety. He produces plenty Of
merriment by his ecceEtric comedy work.
/ modelled somewhat after the aforesaid
DdHieis, anu auuS By luulClOus inter-
/ polation. His mixture into the musical
/ part of the play is also effective, par
/ ticularly In "Angeline."
| The leading comedian is considerably
/ aided and abetted by Henry Vogel, as
/ Ptolemy, and Forrest Huff as Cheops.
/ The former gave an unctuous imperson-
alton OF the crazy ruler, and Mr. Hun
/ injected plenty of comedy, especially in
/ his parody on harp accompaniment.
/ which he furnished while Miss Won Bu-
| sing was singing in the second act.
/ The orchestTatiOn was adequate. and ad-
/ mirably conducted. the spectacular fea-
| lures we'll arranged, and the chorus large
| and of vocal lustiness, though at in
| frequent intervals showing an irregular
/ ity which will disappear after one or
two more performances.
The audience was quite equal to the
| capacity OF the house numerically and
in extremely high spirits. A large num-
Der Of well-known people were present.
led by the President, Mrs. Roosevelt, and
party, occupying one of the boxes.