Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-27

Frou-FrouA ................. Leona Cutler
JACK Norton
Nan Toner
Zu-zu................... Adele Remington
oapnos marie JoTuhn
G~uests-Misses Allen, Brown, Cutler, Jor-
dan. Kohler. Lindsey. McCree, Mckenzie,
Norton, Perot. Quinn, Remington. Rogers,
Ioner, Williamson and Wray; Messrs.
Baker, Barrett, Cahill, Clinton. clark, Dea-
con. Durnall, Finn, Gehle. Hastings, Las
sen Montgomery, Rose, Ruebsamen, Shaw
and Pearce.
Don't fancy because you have heard
The Merry Widow" waltz that you know
the whole piece; 1t has much else tina is
Of interest, so much that II the famous
waltz number were omitted entirely, the
piece would still be a success. although Il
would now be a distinct disappointment.
So well has the public become educated to
the strains OF that simple melody written
in 49, time and Of so little pretenslon
that anyone who can pucker can whistle
II. that it would be sadly missed. So Sc
ductive is it that while Prince Donilo and
Widow Sonia are swaying in response to
its rhythm all over the theater shoulders are
swinging in unison, and ell who sit be-
meath the spell of the conductors baton
are for the moment at least fascinated by
the alluring notes, and the influence Of
the waltz tune is understood. But it Is
such a little part of the whole that one
wonders almost so much has been made of
it. True, none other moves the nearer
just as this does, but the operatta abounds
with dances. soft slluring dances, Wild
b-acchanalian dances, simple folk dances,
and stately society dances, where all are
on the primmest of prlm good behavior.
But everything looks forward to or harks
back to this one air that accompanies the
L.u.,.sNa sz---g- zaF-. - - - -
into saying what he wants to say, but
will not because of his stubborn adherence
to a vow. His flushed face, his eager
manner. his whole bearing. tells Of the
tide OF passion that tears through his
veins, while she is there before him, mad
dening in her presence, her charms also
heightened by the strength of her desire
but determined that he shall speak. And
this one situation explains the assertion Of
the advance man that this opera has set
the whole world waltzing.'' II is the mu.
sical embodiment Of the great desire
the whole world has felt.
The Merry Widow" abounds in beaut!e
Of sound and OF sight. and so delights tht
senses one scarcely knows which to credi
with most enjoyment. Mr.. Savage hal
given the piece the most loving care FOL
all the time it has been under his man
agement, and still sets it forth as If 1
were a new production and not a veteran
OF several seasons. 1t is said by compe
tent judges who have heard the opera
elsewhere that the company now o~fferinL
1t here Is the best that has ever been seeI
in it in America. Certain 1t Is the beauu
fui scenery and exquisite Costumes are al
fresh and so new that those worm BY tn,
women in the last act we're put en- a
Kansas City last week for the first time
George Damerel is all that could well b.
looked for in a prince Of the sort he i
expected to play; young, handsome, jus
a little inclined to be reckless, but
charming fellow in all ways, He does no
( get much opportunity to show his voca
l ability, but makes most OF his chances
t Harold Blake is the singing tenor Of tn
company, and his fine voice is splendid,
shown in two numbers. Oscar FIgman
= the dear old delight he has been know
E here in his part Of the Marsovian ambassa
dor, and Arthur Wooley adds the Low
I comedy with zest.
I Mabel Wnber is happily endowed witt
= personal beauty. a voice Of unusual sweet
T ness and power, the grace and charm U
youth and keen enough perception to US
~ her talents to the best possible advantag
5 in making Sonia what she should be-
simple, unaffected and altogether merr.
widow, able to see what is plain to other
e and sufficiently skilled to bring her love
finally to her side. She sings several songs
l the best being villa" in the second act
But from first to last she is given ever
E possible opportunity TO show off the capa
bilities Of her voice, and 1t successful
meets all tests. Miss Barnard also get
d some unusually fine openings for her excel
> lent voice, and in company with Mr.. Blak
sings most delightfully."-. The chorus is Jus
a Savage organization. which is intende
u to mean that IL lacks in nothing. Nj
i Frank Vaudeville conducts with authorlta
tive precision, and the staging Of the piec
is by George Marion. another assurance q
perfection. 1t was most warmly welcome
last night, and the promise for the wee
is good.