The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-11-20

New York, November 19-(Speciai.l-
New plays still continue to roll inte
Broadway averaging about four TO six
per week. The number presented this
far has been unprecedented in the his
tory of the theatrical season.
The New theatre has begun its second
regular subscription season with THE
Merry Wives of Windsor" Maeterlinck
THE Blue Bird" which opened the pre-
liminary season at this house, has moved
to the Majestic theatre.
THE Little Damozel," which met with
phenomenal success abroad, completed
a short engagement at the Na2imova
theatre and was replaced by Mr.. Preedy
and the Countess an English farce by
R. o. Carton.
"NaughIy Marietta
An italian grand opera star at the
head of a Broadway musical comedy
| cast? Impossiblel Not at all, but very
improbable. Nevertheless, this rare sight
can be seen and heard at the New YORK
theatre, where Slgnorina Emmy Trentini
known to opera-goers as the little. devil
of the Manhattan Opera house, Is sing
ing the leading role in Naughty Mariet-
Herbert, with tho book and lyrics by
Rida johnson Young.
1t was five years ago that Signorina
Tentrini made her New York debut at the
Manhattan Opera house in minor role
in Carmen and on account OF the I'M
usual quality and strength of her voice,
she was soon given the appellation of
the little girl with the big voice. From
that time on she sang various roles and
soon became a popular favorite.
Oscar Hammerstein, the mpresario, has
always taken a great interest in the lit
tie singer, and when he retired from the
grand opera field last summer he de-
termined to have a comic opera written
for her. BY this time she had mastered
English fairly we'll
The result is Naughty Marietta and
an excellent result 1t Is. Seldom has New
York heard a comic opera singer with
such excellence. Associated with Miss
Tenrini are Orville Harold, the young
tenor, who made his grand opera debut
at the Manhattan Opera house a year
ago; Nine. Duchene, another Manhattan
star and Edward Martindel. This quar-
tette are largely responsible for the sue
cess of the piece.
OF course, good music is essential to
good singing and Victor Herbert has
looked after this end with his usual eff
cheney. In fact, nothing more tuneful
has come from Mr.. Herbert's pen since
the palmy- days of 1.-The Serenade." There
Is melody, tenderness and humor in the
score, and songs that are meant to be
sung and are sung,
The book is also above the ordinary,
the scene being laid in New Orleans 2OC
years ago. The plot revolves around
Marietta D'Altena, an italian heiress,
who runs away to New Orleans, DISCUSSES
herself as a boy, breaks the hearts OF
two men and finally marries on American
captain.
The comedy is the cheapest part of the
piece. 1t is provided by couple of vau-
devillians who play minor roles in the
cast, and the thread of the piece is III
terrupted several times in order to permit
them to do their stunts.
AS the little Italian heiress, Mile. Ten
tint is excellent. Not only does she use
her voice to good effect, but her acting
and accent are beyond criticism. orville
Harold, as Captain Dicks, is not an his
trionic success, but what little he lacks
in this respect he more than makes up
for in his singing. His song, I'm Failing
in Love With Someone will undoubted-
ly reach beyond the confines of Broad
way.
MINNIE. Duchene sings a contralto role,
her best piece being Meath the Southern
Moon.f
AS the pirate Bras Prique, Mr.. Edward
Martindol is excellent. The chorus is
large and well trained, and the stage set
tings reveal the master hand of Jacques
Colni who has charge of the stupendous
settings at the Manhattan Opera house.
With such assets, Naughty Marietta"