The Washington herald., 1909-03-23
THE COLUMBIA.
Fritri schen.

Before a crowded house FRITZ Schen
and a company OF unusual capacity scored
signal and deserved success last night
al the Columbia Theater in her latest We
hicle. The Prima Donna"
The Prims Donna" which the pro-
gramme characterizes as a comic opera-
Is the work o. Henry Blossom ard Victor
Herbert Il IS a clean, refreshing produc-
ton. fun OF melodies such as Victor Her
bert alone OF American composers seems
able 10 turn on; with unfailing regularity.
equipped with a plot that is kept in view
to the end. and abounding IN witty lines
and laughter producing situations.
The plot concerns the romance OF Nile.
Athenee. played by Nine Schen. prima
donna Of the Opera Comlque. Paris. who
returning from an automobile ride IN the
country, stops at the Pomme dor Cafe.
ST. Germaine. presided over by Herr Max
Gundelfnger. Gundelhnger, known to the
habitues OF the place as Pop" IS IN the
act Of berating one Of his singers because
she win be unable 10 appear that even
ing On account OF bad cold. Athenee
volunteers 20 take her place and consents
TO sing a song composed by Lieut. Ar
mand. Count de Fontenne. Of the French
army They fall IN love and agree 10
meet IN the cafe after the performance
Athenee sings In the cafe. and is recog-
nized by Capt Bordenave, who has Iong
been her admIrer. Athenee's father.
NJ Beaurivage. Is heavily in debt TO
Bordenave. When the people retire after
the performance. Bordenave orders Ar
mand away 10 the barracks and returns
himself, IN an intoxicated condition. 10
keep the tryst with Athenee. There fol-
lows a striking and unusual scene in
| comic opera, in which Athenee is COM
PEELED 20 resist 10y force the unwelcome
attentions OF the captain. In the struggle
that follows Athenee Is successful and
pushes BOrdenave into a room and locks
the door upon him.
The scene Of the second act is the club
house at Ia de PUteaux. Paris. where
/ the Duchess OF MontrOse IS holding a
| lawn fete. Athenee has been invited here
20 sing. Armand had been betrothed
since childhood 10 the Countess Helen
daughter Of MarQuise de PerrifOnds, who
/ is Armand's aunt. The marqUise IS bent
upon the match. But Helen is IN love
with Lieut.. Prosper Rousseau and Ar
mand persuades them 70 elOpe. which they
/ 60 in the taxicab OF Pop who has been
! promoted TO be leader OF a band. The
marquise then consents to the marriage
! OF Athenee and Armand.
Through the simple story Of love and
/ intrigue moves the laughing frowning, al
/ together charming personality OF FRITZ
| ScheR. She was in fine voice last night.
and sang with that singular purity of
method and clarity Of tone that are pecul-
iarly her own Her best opportunities
were in "A Little Soldier and the lifting
waltz song Of the second act. The But
| teriy." And memories Of former triunlnhs
/ IN mile. Mo5!ste" came 20 the audience
when she appeared in the second act
singing q spirited march song. When we
| Command the Army" and beating q
\ drum as only FRITZ Scheff can.
/ Most OF the comedy was familiar, but
James T. Sullivan in the character OF
Pop, rang in new changes in the old Ger
man dialect comedy, and sang with tell
| ing effect. Something Always Happens, .
and III Be Married 20 the Music OF the
Band" which proved 10 be the hit OF
| the evening William K. Harcourt was
| capital as the villain. and one OF the most
pleasing features was the topical sons
/ OF Martin Hayden.
The chorus looked well and sang excel
| lenly, particularly the octet OF men and
women in the second act: the costumes
wero new. tasteful. and the scenery IN
keeping with the rest OF the production.
/ And It must not be omitted that Victor
Herbert. with his great knowledge OF or
chestration. has composed one OF the
most representative scores.