The Washington herald., 1909-01-05
THE COLUMBIA.
~ Waltz nream. >,

Pure Viennese opera, a novelty. ard Of
a standard away in advance Of our own
native efforts, was an instant and unqual-
/ fled success at the Columbia Theatsr last
night. which goes 70 show that every
thing musical short Of grand opera and
/ symphony concerts need not have its
fame bruited about as being saIacious. or
even suggestive. II it be both tUnefuI
and witty, and interpreted BY people
who can be funny without being vulgar,
and who can sing and act and be other
wise artistic and clever.
a Waltz Dream" is 50 bewGdering in
its entirety that Il Is difficult 20 describe
in detail, for fear of overlooking from
one 70 many Of its good points The
original book IS By Felix Doemann and
Leopold Jacobson. after a brief story
from Hans MueHer's Book OF Adven-
lures" but the English translation as 10
book and lyrics Is by Joseph Herbert
who also plays the leading buffo role
The music OF Oscar Strauss preserves
the melodious traditions which the name
of Strauss alone can conjure- Naturally.
throughout the score the waltz move
ments predominate-they swing and float
and watt the hearers about until their
senses are dizzied and the whole realm
Of music seems 10 centralize into a throb-
bing Rhythmic Strauss waltz
There IS plenty OF music. too. which is
not IN waltz time. including two pretty
little Yiennese chaBsons-terzettes-
marches. and songs grave and gay.
a legitimate plot is the feature Of a
Waltz Dream developing the desire Of
the reisniag Prince Joachim XIII OF
Flausenthurn for the perpetuatlon OF his
dynasty. To that end he commands his
only child. Princess Helene. 10 marry any
man she may select She chooses the
handsomest and the most dashing Young
cavalryman in Vienna. Lieut.. NIki. who.
though commanded by his sovereign 70
marry does SO UnwiIlingly. although the
princess IS a beauty and fascinating
Franz Steingruber, the leader Of a Wen
nese ladies' orchestra. has much 20 do
with Nid's reluctance. but. being wise
enough 70 resist the inclination 10 love
above her station, sends Nikf back TO his
, wife, the princess, and the Fiausenrhur1
/ dynasty Is saved
Still, in Fiennese opera the mu-
SIC IS the thing This latter fact J9seph
Herbert has recognized. for such comedy
as IS introduced fits well within the pic
ture and Is developed along strictly leziti-
mate lines. No hOrse-play mars the con-
tinuity Of the opera. the episodes follow
ing one another IN logical continu-
E -
taCle-in these parts at least-is pre-
seuted Of q carefully constructed and
perfectly feasible story. upon which is
strung pearls OF delicious melody.
Sophie Brandt. who IS Franzi. is an en-
gaging young lady whose appearance suE-
gests nothing 50 fOrcibiy as a sauce
piquant' Her supply OF -ivacity Is ap-
parently inexhaUstible. her good huu0r
incessant and her acting admirable. For
her Interpretation OF her songs. her ges-
lures. and her expressiveness Of counte-
nance one could readily believe her 70 be
OF Viennese origin, as indeed she may be.
She is as clever and attractive an artistic
as we have seen In WASHINGTON for a
long while
Joseph Herbert, Henry V DonneIly and
Josie Sadler are aids-de-camp OF Miss
Brandt, and stanch trio they are. Miss
Sadler's plump JoIliness and rich accent
established her at once as q filler OF the
lOng-felt want-a legitimate COmedienne.
DOnnelly and Herbert, both unctUOGs. and
each one quite as funny as the other IN
different aspects. kept apace with their
witticisms
Henry Coote played the unwilling bride
groom well. but his singing was not good
he is either suffering from q severe cold
or else has strained his voice by a too
vehement attack upon the high notes OF
his portion Of the score. To his lot falls
one Of the most delightful waltz move
ments. Loves R0-ndelay" an air which
will be the cue for wbistlers and singers
alike very shortly. Another charming
waltz is The Sweetest Maid OF Al"
and a spirited en- semble. The Prater."
was also Wen rendered by Lawrence
Coever and the chorus
The girls in a Waltz Dream are all
good looking, some Of them wear q
foreign look adding TO the atmosphere OF
the piece. The Viennese Ladies' Or
chestra was q feature OF the concerted
numbers, especially IN the finale Of Act
II, which Is a wonderful bit OF orchestra
ton. The production is well mounted and
lavishly costumed.