The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-29
Collier Reases at Columbia in Light Comedy;
1.-The Golden Butterfly Equals De KoUens Best
NEW NATIONAL.


When Reginald DeKoven and Harry
B. Smith collaborated in writing 9TH,
Golden Butterfly they did not give the
musical world another robin Hood" OF
a Maid Marian" for Il comes nearer
grand opera than the earlier works OF
composer and librettist, and is easily
the best musical production that has
been seen in Washington in many
months, At that II IS not grand
opera, strictly speaking, but is sort OF
happy medium, which will appeal to
all classes Of music lovers.
IT Is almost sufficient to say that
every one of the twenty songs listed on
the program was accorded from one
to half dozen encores by the first-night
audience which weH-nigh filled the New
National Theater last evening. The en-
cores were more than deserved. for IL
has been long time since Washington
has been treated TO musical prOduc-
ton equaling The Golden Butterfly.
The opera Is one of those connections
that abOunds in delightful music. ex-
cellcnt ensembles, and almost perfect or
hSsrations. When one stops to con-
slider that the performance last even
ing was the first on any stage, there is
the producers. Nothing has been done
by halves. The company is a large one,
but the opera was written for a large
company. and Il is quite evident that
Messrs. DeKoven and Smith aimed TO
give the world something that equalled
their best previous effort, and in this
they have apparently succeeded.
The Company Largely Responsible.
That they have done so is due in a
large measure 10 the excellent work OF
Miss Grace Van Studdiford, Miss Gene
LuneslLa, Louis Harrison, and Hubert
Wilke. assisted BY the other members OF
the company. Each shows evidence OF
putting the best foot forward to the
success Of The Golden Butterfly" and
they succeed beyond measure, II the
first performance is any criterion.
OF course, Miss Van Studdiford. as the
star Of the opera, is easily the best.
but SIZE earns every bit OF praise that
can be accorded her. She works hard
from the rise of the first curtain 10 the
drop OF the last She appears IN no
less than six songs, 70 say nothing Of
the ensembles and each is better than
the preceding one. 1t Is a sort Of I
progression in the exhibition Of sing
ing ability. and she acquits herself in
a way that leaves no doubt as to her
qualifications as one OF the leading
opera singers on the American stage
today.
That Miss Van studdiford possesses
a voice above the ordinary run Of opera
singers Few will deny. especially those
who have seen her in Red Feath-
er" or Lady Teazle." and IN The
Golden Butterfly" she IS better thar
ever. Her songs are by no means easy
ones, but 5hey seern so the way she
sings them. In addition to being a
singer OF rare ability she is a most
capable actress and interprets the part
OF lima with a realism that is more
than convincing.
An Opera With a Plot.
This recalls to mind the fact that
The Golden Butterfly is an opera with
a plot. so few Of them possess such a
characteristic that It is refreshing 10
come in contact with one. The story
deals with the life Of a chorus girl in
q Fiennese opera house who is torn be-
tween her ambition TO succeed on he
stage and her love for a wandering
musician, who turns out to be the au-
thor OF the opera In which she scores
Ter great triumph. OF course. love TIL
umphs in the end, but so does the God
OF Love and all ends happily
However. the plot Is a minor consid-
Grafton, for It is the music that will
make or mar The Golden Butterfly, -
ana II is almost a safe representation
10 say that II will not mar IT, Such
music and orchestratiUn as has been
cOunpos ed for this Opera by Mr. DeKova0
IS one of his best efforts, II not the best,
and II any fault is 10 be found with It, Il
Is in the fact that the first act Is SUI
perior to the two that follow It. This
is unfortunately true but not dIfd-
cult matter 20 remedy.
The characters in the opera are artis-
tically nodded. and the locale IS con-
ducive to a romantic turn Of mind. In
he or she is transported to historic old
Budapest and is living through the
scenes with the players. This Is a sure
sign that the interpreters of the opera
are succeeding. The costuEing OF the
characters and chorus Is excellent The
changes are many and the dresses,
while many cOlored during each scene
are so arranged so far as colors and
positions are concerned, that they har-
monte to a marked degree and present
a pleasing picture to the eye
Excellent Work by Chorus.
It Will not be amiss right here to saw
word about the chorus. II is not
often that Washington has been privi-
legged to hear a chorus that acquitted
itseir as well on a first perforrn-
ance as that which supported Miss Van
Studdiford last evening. 1t is a chorus