The Washington times., 1909-01-05
TAKES HIGH PLACE
IN MUSICAL FIELD
and Staging of Tuneful
Viennese Opereua Complete
in Every Detail.


as a delightful evenings entertainment.
A capacity audience which greeted the
opening performance presages a run
here that should vie with any attrac-
ton seen in Washington this season.
Few whom music could reach at all
could fail to feel the subtle charm of
the dreamy motif that pervades the
score of Oscar Strauss. Unlike many
successes THE Waltz Dream" does not
rest on the Iaurels of one tuneful mel
ody. From "a musical standpoint the
offering takes a place in the very high
est rank Of light operas for its uniform
tunefulness and masterfU} OrChestrauon.
Not few Of the numbers would carry
a modern musical show TO success ana
others fall short of being popular only
because they are too operate. Though
several of the songs paTtake of the
recitative the tunefulness, in which lies
the chief merit of a light opera produc-
ton, is never sacrificed.
Tempered With Modern Ideas.
Though the operetta is built along the
lines Of the older comic opera school
and makes no concessions to popular
tastes that conflict with that design,
there is a judiciOus tempeTing OF mod
ern ideas. 1t is this factor, to which
little attention has been called. which
In a large measure contributes to its
appeal The lines contain frequent
illusions TO current topics, the action
is carried along with a snap which is
distinctly latter day the element CT
comedy is freely lntroduCs ed
Several deliciously funny songs serve
as foils for the more pretentious musical
numbers. Notable among these was
The FamiIys Ancient Tree" a trio,
and "PiccoIo," q duet by Miss Brandt
and Joseph Herbert.
Synopsis of Plot
The plot is we'll defined though il IS
not heavy nor obtrIsive. Lieutenant
Mkt is forced into an untlmeiy mar
rage with Princess Helene, daughter Of
Joachim XIII. king OF a mythical land,
whose motive in bringing about a union
is 10 perpetuate his line The bride
groom, an unwilling husband from the
first beJakes himself to "a public garden
on the night OF the wedding and there
becomes infatuated with rauzi, direC-
tress Of a Vienuese band. The king and
his daughter surprise Mi in a quiet
tete-a-tets with his newly found alfiu-
ity.
Frauzi unwilling TO give up her lover,
plucks him from the arms Of his wife
as he Is about 10 return to the royal
palace Stung by remOTse she later not
only reIinQUishes all claim 70 the prince
consOrt, but teaches Princess Helene
how TO win back her husbands love.
II was the Niennese love waltz as
played by the VieuUese band that first
attracted NikTs attention 20 Franzl. IL
s. the Viennese love waltz sung by his
wife. after the careful tuition Of Franzi.
that opens his eyes 10 the charms OF
his wife
Miss Brandt Scores Triumph.
Sophie Brandt, in tho role OF Franzi,
scored a triumph IN no whit marred
by the splendid reception accorded Miss
Broske. as Princess Helene. Miss
Brandt has q voice OF rare sweetness
and power within a certain range and
she does well 10 keep within the limits
Of her ability. The singing Of Miss
BOsks. though not so much IN evil
| dence, was equally acceptable.
Henry COote. in the role Of NiId,
/ easily leads the male contingent in
vocal honOrs. though his acting could be
l
drawn surprise in the last act az the
q strains OF the VieHnese waltz played by
one whom he recognizes as Frauzi
bordered so closely ON the ridiculous
/ as 10 mar d highly effective situation.
/ Much OF the comedy WORK falls on
Joseph ". Herbert, the author OF the
! English book and lyrics, VINO takes the
/ part of Prince Lothian. Mr.. Herbert g
/ methods produce results in the form OF
/ hilaTIty, but never touch upon comedy
/ Of the slap-stick order More fun is
/ furnished by King Joachim, who pre-
( pares for the time OF his grandfather
! hood by laying ia "a supply OF rattIes
/ and beguiles his spare moments by
/ hummiug lullabys.
/ Chorus Is Effective
/ Rarest Of all wonders the chorus is a
/ delight TO the eye and can also sing,
/ The wedding march and the hymn in
{ fFH first q 81 and tho rraF Ia of tho el1rrrI