Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-27
"BABETTE"
IS REVIVED
sMITH-HERBERT WORK GIVEN AT
THE LOS ANGELES
MAUDE BEATTY MAKES HIT IN A
COMEDY ROLE
Aida Hemmi Fails to Undue Name
Part with ViVaoity, but as Usual
Is AppIauded for Her
Singing
by sIDLE LAWRENCE

bI blO14E Law 1NA1INNAN
When Harry B. Smith wrote the
libretto OF "Babette" and Victor Her
bert composed the music. they took up
their work under a commission. The
opera was made to order for FRITZ
Scheff, and it was tailored so expertly
that it fit Madam Scheff better than
anything she has had since. However,
neither Mr.. Smith nor Mr.. Herbert
found themselves much restricted. The
librettist wrote his book for a singer
who could act; and the composer wrote
his music for an actress who could sing.
The result was an exacting role, for
there are few FRITZ Scheffs, and, as 1
said before, this opera was most eX-
pertly tailored for Madam Schefs use.
Last night the San Francisco opera
company revived "Babette" at the Los
Angeles theater, with Miss Aida Hemmt
in the name part, Arthur Cunningham
in the rale created by Eugene Cowles'
and Eugene Weiner as Marcel. The re-
vival was well staged, the costumes, II
Is said, being those used in the original
production, However, the opera proved
too ambitious an undertaking for the
company-at least with the time avail
able for preparation. 1t dragged Woe
fully There was no snap; no go. Far
ticuIarly was this true of the first act,
which seemed almost of interminable
length; while the same fault was eVl-
denced in the later acts, though to
lesser degree. 1t is to be expected that
an Improvement will be made In this
regard as the week advances; and in
extenuation it must be said that Bah
cite" is not an opera to be mastered in
a week even under the most favorable
conditions.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
l. ma
who said that a man never could NIT
the moon unless he aimed at 1t; and
certainly Manager Healy deserves our
thanks for his attempt to give Los
Angeles something worth while, instead
of The paltry triviality of such pieces as
"Ship Alloy" "Babette" never before
has been sung here, and 1t is well worth
hearing.
The chief fault of the presentation
proved to be Miss Hemmis acting, or
rather her lack of acting. She played
the role as though the whole thing
bored her, and before she got through
with her scenes the house was quite of
her way of thinking. In spite of this
handicap. however, the audience APP
plauded her songs literally, particularly
the second act number, which Is
snowy affair and which she sang very
well. If she could act only half as well
as she SlHBS MISS IAClllAilA AAAA6AAS ScASOtA-
ably be expected to make tremendous
hit in the role; but she not only doesn't
act; she doesn't try to act.
The best things in the presentation
are Arthur CunninghamS soldier of for
tune; Maude Beatty's character old wo-
man and Miss Sarah Edwards Vinetta.
Miss Edwards is a newcomer to the
San Franciscan ranks. She has clear
toned contralto voice of moderate
| Cd, I'll, oh how make
the most of it, Moreover she works
every minute of the time she is on the
stage. With the possible exception of
Eugene Weiner she works harder than
any other member of the company.
Cunningham fine bass was heard to
advantage in several solos, as well as
in concert numbers. His duet with
Miss Edwards in the first act deserved
a better reception than the house gave
it, and his peddler's song, at the open
ing of act two sung with chorus, was
an excellent number. Eugene Weiner,
too was in good voice last night and
sang his songs better than / have ever
heard him sing anything before.
1t was Maude Beatty, however, who
carried off first honors in the opinion
of the audience. Miss Beatty had little
singing to do, but as Eva, wife of a viii
lage clockmaker, she gave us a. bit of
eccentric comedy that proved her
coincidence of good ability. Her ride
ulous costumes and exaggerated make
up added to the general effect. Nothing
funnier than her burlesque Spanish
dance in the last act has been seen on
the stage of the Los Angeles this sea-
son.
George Kunkel was decidedly unfun-
ny as the clockmaker, but that didn't
make much difference, as most of his
scenes were with Miss Beatty, and she
was funny enough for both.
The chorus-the feminine part of it
at least-was picturesque, and sang
we'll the numbers allotted 1t.
"Babette" will continue through the
week. 1t is delightful light opera,
atrociously acted as to it's name role,
but well worth seeing and hearing
despite that fault