The Washington herald., 1911-10-24
THE BELASC0.
"The Chocolate Soldier"

The Chocolate Soldier last night re-
peated the triumph OF its former visit
here, the capacity audience at the Be
Iasco falling willing captive to the many
enhancing melodies Oscar Strauss has
given us in this opera bouffe founded on
George Bernard Shaws brilliant satire Of
military life, Arms and the Man"
1t is, indeed, a pleasure to view light
opera of this caliber, replete, as 1t is,
with stage pictures that please the eye,
cracking dialogue in which a vein of sa-
tire predominates. situations that never
for a moment descend to plane of vul-
garity and last, and most certainly not
least, a score of surprising charm and
delicacy, many numbers of which are to-
day, and will be for many seasons to
come, a positive delight to those who
hear them.
The action takes place in the year 1885
near the Dragoman Pass, Bulgaria The
Chocolate Soldier. Lieut.. Bumerl, of the
Servian army, hotly pursued by a COM
pany of Bulgarians, from whom he has
just escaped, takes refuge in the boudoir
of Nadina Popoff. and succeeds in per-
suading her to hide him from the Bull
garians. BY dint of a few prettily turned
compliments he wins Nadina's mother,
Aurela, and her cousin, Mascha- These
ladies, all enamored of the dashing lieu
tenant, effect his escape by Disgusting him
in a house coat belonging to Kasimir
Popoff, each first carefully putting her
photograph, with a tender inscription
thereon, in the pocket.
The next scene is in the gardens of
Popof's house, where a mighty welcome
is given the returning heroes, Kasimir
and AleXius Nadina's betrothed, Bumer-
II, whom the Bulgarian officers have
net at the close of the war, returns
with the coat in time to save the day.
The pictures, however, finally turn up
and Alexius repudiates Nadina, who, not
finding him the hero she thought him,
has fallen in love with Bumerli. She is
far from willing TO admit 1t, though.
and decides to write him a letter telling
him good-by forever. And here occurs
probably the prettiest number of the
score, "The Letter Song" admirably
sung by Nadna and Bumern. AleXius
decides to bestow his favor upon Ma
sham, apd Bumerli, having declared
himself the son and heir of the largest
hotel owner in all Switzerland, takes
Nadiaa into his arms.
Mr. Whitney has sent out a cast OF
uniform excellence headed by Lillian Poll
as Nadina, and Charles Purcell as Bu-
merli Miss Poll, who alternated in
the role last season, has a fine soprano
which she uses to great advantage
in, MY Hero" THAT Would Be Lovely"
and sympathy" Mr.. Purcell makes a
very attractive Bumerli, and while pos
sibly his vocal equipment is not as great
as it might be, he is, nevertheless, an
emInently satisfying Chocolate Soldier"
Lion Beregere is a vivacious Mascha
and is the possessor of an excellent con-
tralto, probably heard best in her duet
with Alexius, Failing in Love-" Henry
Coote as Alexius, and George o'Donnell
as Kasimir-the former will be remem-
bered here In connection with the Aborn
comprehensive excellent performances,
and ]. Russell Powell in a grotesque
makeup as Cap. Masakroff Is very
funny, his every entrance being the signal
for laughter; while Lotta Gale is
thoroughly at home as Aurelia.
The scenic production is adequate, and
a feature of the performance is the
augmented orchestra under the direc-
ton OF Sig. A. De Novellis.