The Detroit times., 1910-03-01
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

That engaging bit of chic modish
ness, Mile. FRITZ Schef came TO the
Detroit Opera house Monday evening
i'm the guise of The Prima Donna,
recent output of Victor Herbert and
Henry Blossom. There was no evi-
dence of the season of sackcloth and
ashes being in our midst. In the very
large and uitra-fashionable audience
that gave Miss Schefi and her com
pany a joyous welcome. Boxes were
filed with sm@rtly clothed women and
orchestra chairs held many hints OF
Easter fol-de-rols.
While the folk who know may tell
you that Victor Herbert has written
lots OF better things than The Prima
Dcnna." there are any number oi
persons who have written SO ma3y
worse, sad things that ii is only tn,
captious who Nll not be glad To nave
heard The Prima Donna Ii has
any number OF tunetul trills in 1t
much Of Herberts humorous orches
tration 70 amusing lyrics, and not q
few scores we'll worth the while ol
any good musician \ notable point
also is the fact that there are men
and women at hand to sing 1t well
and the performance is one OF mark
ed spirit and good staging.
Miss Scheff is, naturally the center
of things and Is the prima donna lin
every sense OF the word, but she Is
by no means the shining star OF a
dull. pale armament OF mediocrlty
On the contrary. every member OF the
company is capable. from the men S
chorus and the octet To the dainty
danseuse and the chorus ladies wear
ing the latest cry in frocks The sing
ing voices are excellent and under
the baton OF the veteran conductor
John Lund. the music is sung spirit
edly and well An octet OF mixed
voices gave two numbers a capella,
and it was genuinely good singing
The mems chorus was unusually good
and the well-set up young fellows
composing IL cut quite a dash In their
smart soldier uniforms.
The story tells how Mile. Athenee,
the prima donna Of the Opera Co
mioue. breaks down in her automo-
bile Just outside OF a well-known 1T
tie cafe near ST. Germaine meets her
soldier sweetheart there and Tor a
lark takes the place OF chanteuse IN
the evenings program arranged lot
the entertainment OF the soldiers
Here. OF course, the inevitable quar-
rel between rival soldier sutors oc-
ours and the favored one finds him-
self I'm the position of having insult
ed his superior officer The second
scene shifts 10 n fete in the home OF
the soldier-loVer's aristocratlc aunt
and here the little prima donna comes
tn sing. Again. Of course, the maj
curtain comes down with lovers re-
unlted-not very weighty plot but
enough to interlard musical numbers
OF charm and humor and give MISS
Schef and her numerous associates
plenty of opportunity.
Miss Scheff is "A charming, attrac-
tive Young woman with her dainty lit
tie figure swathed in the most modish
of frocks. her auburn hair smaruy
coiffed and her diamonds scintillating
with every movement. She has able
support from a long list OF principals.
John F.. Hazard as quaint old Ger
man music leader: Vernon Davidson
as the handsome lover. Martin Hay
don as rollicking, tipping young
lieutenant. are but few OF Il number
Of men principals, while the women
number Kate Wingheld as la grande
maruuise; Alice Russon as her charm
ing ingenue niece Katherine Stewart
as another grand dame and dozen
others of more or less prominence. m
the unfolding of the story. The gowns
worn are "sartorial creations. The
whole performance has that essence
Of smartness that Miss Scheff radiates
herself and has always been fortunate
enough 10 have pervade the produc
tions i'm which she has been starred
The engagement Is for the entire
week with Saturday matinee only
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE