Evening star., 1909-05-09
THfTHEATFR


Washington has taken on the full glory
of its early spring beauty with touch OF
its summer heat, but the fact seems to
make no appreciable difference to the
theaterSoers for the attendance at all the
theaters during the past week was excep-
tionally good This is easily accounted
for, however. by the excellent quality of
the attractions that have been offered.
Lulu Glaser and her competent company
have played throughout the week to
capacity houses. mile. Mischief" her
new musical play. offers opportunities for
both player and singer, and the young
star shone brilliantly in 1t. It's music is
bright catchy and beautiful. True, there
were times when the situations developed
by the plot might have given offense had
they been less delicately handled by those
who made for laughter rather than for
license. AS 1t was, the performance
throughout was thoroughly enjoy able.
Robin Hood with Its tale of nursery
days and the golden wealth of melody
impaired to it by what many. believe to
be the finest product of de Kovens mu-
sical genius. was, of course, a favorite
and crowded houses acclaimed 1t so. The
Aborn Company for this summers season
has not been surpassed by any that have
preceded it. and in some instances 1t is
the best ever heard here in summer opera.
There is not principal who is not gifted
with a splendid voice and dramatic abil-
ity and the chorus does excellent work.
Lovers of light opera may congratulate
themselves upon the bright prospect
ahead during the Aborn summer season.
Those whose taste runs rather to COM
edy than to musical plays may likewise
congratulate themselves upon the oppor-
tunities afforded by the excellent stock
company at the Columbia Theater The
Columbia Players have among their num-
Der those who can be depended upon to
furnish many a delightful hour during
their summer stay. The work of the play
ers during the past week was of a high
order, and splendid patronage was the
result. Washington will stand for good
things and it is getting them now in the
amusement line.
MADAM BUTTERFLY'S DAGGER
The grand climax of the dramatic action
in Madam Butterfly" the Puccini opera
WHICH Is 10 Dc sung al tiiC DOidoSo
Theater this week by the English Opera
Company represents the suicide of Cho-
Cho-San, the little japanese geisha. after
her cruel desertion by her American hus-
band who married her in jest. This
climax comes In the third and conclud-
ing act of the opera.
The little geisha is represented as hav-
ing killed herself In true Japanese style
by thrusting a sharp, slender dagger into
her throat. The story of the opera tells
that the dagger used by Cho-Cho-San or
Madam Butterfly is the same one with
which her father had taken his life when
politely requested by the Japanese en-
peror to commit hari-kari
Some little added interest in given the
Madam Butterfly performances by the
English Opera Company by the fact that
the prima donna who sings the title role
in the suicide scene uses a genuine Jap
anese dagger which is said to have been
used by little geisha who had happen
to her in real life just what happens to
Madam Butterfly on the stage The dag
ger is the property of Miss Adelaide Nor
wood one of the three prima donna
pranos of the English Opera Company
who alternate in the title role. The
other two are Miss Louie Collier and
Miss Myrtle Thornburgh. and both of
them use the dagger with Miss Mar
woods permission.
The dagger was given Miss Norwood
by Miss Halle Erminie Reeves, the novel
ist whose husband Post Wheeler is sec
retary to the American embassy in
Japan. Miss Reeves brought 1t to this
country because of the romantic story
which was told of it, and gave it to
Miss Norwood because the story so
strangely coincided with the one which
is told in the opera which she has made
famous in this country.
FRITZ Won BUsING.-washingto
patrons of the Aborn summer opera
season were agreeably surprised last
week with the remarkable voice and
fascinating personality of. Miss FRITZ
Won Busing, the new contralto, who ap-
peared in the role of Alan-a-Dale in
robin Hood Miss Won Busfng won
established herself as genuine favorte.
Her performances were finished and
artistic. and she was compelled to repeat
"Oh. Promise Me" again and again.
a-Dale in Robin Hood" to the firta-
tious and buoyant Dolores in The
Serenade.' Miss Won Busing will be able
to show her many admirers complete
change of acting and an entirely different
personality.
Miss Won Busing's stage career. though
somewhat brief. has been one of constant
achievement. A pupil of Garcia and Anna
Lankow of Germany. she secured the
basic training of voice for brilliant
cert and grand opera with gratifying sue
cess. She will be remembered by patrons
of the New National for her artistic
work in "Hoffmann'S Love Tales" and
s'The Wizard Of the Nile last season.
Those who remember her appearance
then will be pleased to learn that she
will remain with the company here
throughout the entire summer season.
Miss Won Busing sang the contralto
roles for some time with the Castle Square
Opera Company. Later she appeared in
comedy organizations. She created the
contralto role in Paderewskis opera,
''Manru," in the first American produc-
ton, and, with the Aborn English Grand
Opera Company in New York season be-
fore last. she originated the role of
Nicklausse in The Tales of Hoffma mn
For this weeks revival of 'The Sere-
made" Miss Won Busng will assume a role
that requires vocal ability of a distinctly
high quality She will also have great
opportunity for some attractive comedy
work.
A NIGHT WITH THE POETS.-Wil-
liam Dean Howells has named James
Whitcomb Riley as the greatest OF Ameri
can poets and the vaudeville public
agrees with him, Judged by its apprecia-
ton of those of his poems included in
the presentation entitled "A Night With
the Poets" which will be made at Chase's
this week In this novel and artistic Of
fering the scene Is laid in the library Of
a lover of books and poetry, around
whose table are gathered number of
kindred spirits. In the dusk of evening,