New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-20
HERBERT HIMSELF AGAIN
Equals Earlier Good Work in
The Enchantress."

Victor Herbert's odyssey came 20 ~
end last night. and he entered into his
kingdom. His wanderings since the days
OF The Serenade" and "Eabes in NY
land" have oeen many and lie mas had
adventures in strange lands. lie has
even strayed into the Eden Of grand op-
era. where ne encountered a serpent. But
he has strayed out again. and last night
1 he came home to the hearts of his nd
mirers II was all at the New York The
atre. when Joseph VI. Gates presented
what was entitled on the programme "a
new opera comique The Enchantress.' "
music by Victor Herbert. book and lyrics
nv Fred De Gresac ana Harry 3. Smith.
And there was in this opera comique' at
least one moment when the music reached
something nearer real grand opera than
anything heard in "Natoma"
In short. The Enchantress" was an in
slant hit. and, what IS better. hit that
was deserved-a delightful light opera,
equally delightful I'm music book and
presentation And the finale Of the first
act in construction. in dynamic force. in
dramatic significance reached a height
hat Mr. Herbert has rarely attained.
At the outset a word must he said for the
librettists Nine. De Gresac is well known
as the author Of La Passarelle." which
was ore Of Nine. Rejane's most popular
approximations, and her light Gallo touch
was evident last night both in lines and
in situations. How much was due To Nine.
De Gresac and how much 10 Mr.. Smith
is impossible to decide but together they
gave the composer an insrratlon Of which
he made the most.
The story of The EHchantrcss' is sim
PIE but effective Prince Ivan OF ZurSovia
is something Of a Don Juan. who meets
and falls in love with Vivien Savary. an
opera singer. Miloch. the Regent. wishing
g. retain his power plots 10 marry MIN TO
Nivien. az the law Of Zergovia provides
that unless the prince marries a princess
he forfeits his title But vivien is really
a princess. and 50 in the end all is happy
az a marriage bell.
Miss Kitty Gordon. beautiful and cold as
the JunEfrau. was Vvien. and Harold Il.
Forde was Ivan. Miss Gordon on her en-
trance was enough alike in face and ngure
10 Miss Mary Garden 10 be taken for her
twin sister. though here the likeness ended.
She was beautiful indeed to look upon.
., on IL there was little suggestion OF an
enchantress in her acting. NJ. Fcrde was
a manly prince and wore his handsome
uniform becomingly Arthur Forrest was d
most sinister regent and Ralph Riggs Hat
tie Arnold and Venita Fitzhugh all deserve
warm praise for their work.
Perhaps the warmest applause OF the
evening went to the dancing Of Miss Nellie
Mccoy She deserved it, even though 1t
did strike a note that was not exactly in
harmony with the general tone Of the
opera.
And the cherus was one Of the hand
soonest. one Of the lest drilled and one Of
the best gowned that Broadway has seen
for many Il day Besides. il could sing.
one number. Dreaming Princesses,' was
sung by six young women. each of whom
had voice that sang Of stardom.
OF the individual musical members II Ia
hard 10 choose. though Vivien's Land Of
Ny own Romance" and her duet with
Ivan. Rose Lucky Rose" contained melo-
dies that will he remembered for long
lons time Miss Bliss too won we'll earned
applause and showed a fine voice in her L
Want To BE a Prima Donna"
And the moral Of the evening-for there
is a moral in everything-even in light
opera-was that. given a libretto that Is
worth the name Victor Herbert can write
music that will stand comparison with the
best Of modern light opera composers. Eng
Ush or Continental New York should be
grateful TO him for The Enchantress, and
he should he grateful to the manager who
poured out money like water in giving him
q ,,roduc-ion that was i'm every respect
worthy Of his music And both should be
grateful 10 those on the stage who per-
formed their work so well.