New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-18
MUSIC
A NEW OPERETTA.

Operas. operettas and those anonymous
things which are neither operas nor OPP
eretIas. nor even comedies with music. yet
masquerade as comic operas have or
tate become so much attached or appended
IN the short skirts OF soubrettes that it is
q pleasure 10 greet work which does not
need 10 masquerade under false name
and can stand on its own merits. Such
romantic operetta is Gypsy Love, when
had its first performance in New York at
the Globe Theatre last night. There were
no doubt some incongruities in this work
I'm its original form as adapted for per-
Torrance in English these incongruities
have been multiplied and accumulated, but
there are enough Of the good elements left
i'm il 10 entitle It TO "A hearty welcome. To
music lovers it comes like an intellectual
and aesthetic refreshmcnt after the sur
felt of inane Broadway comic operas
which they have been called on 10 endure.
There was disappointment which was
keenlv felt in the inability Of Miss sylvia
TO perform the leading part but TINS was
more on the dramatic side than the mu-
steal for Miss Sylvas understudy, Miss
Partington. who carried the part TO con-
clusion after Miss sylvia was compelled 10
retire at the end Of the first act, disclosed
a voice Of exceptional beauty and a mu-
steal training far beyond that to which the
public is accustomed in operettas ana
musical comedies Miss sylvia started out
bravely. but her first song showed that her
voice could not possibly endure. There
after she spoke her lines rhythmcdlly 10
the musical accompaniment, and with SUCH
pretty effectiveness, indeed that a first
the meIodrama seemed like a new and de-
lightful feature added to the familiar art
form. The audience showed its apprecia-
ton Of her effort and it sympathized most
generously. and for the rest Of the even
inc loudly made known also its admiration
for the artistic skill of her substitute
Shorn OF one of its expected features
which needed not to be but might have
been adventitous. Gypsy Love went on
successfully to its close.
II is a romantic composition. and il can
easily Doe imagined that its original incon-
crulties grew out Of the mixture OF us
poctical contents with the things which
are supposed To- be necessary for the sake
Of diversion This mesallance has neeh
acccutuatad by some Weber and fieldian
clements which are an intrusion, but they
are forced out Of mind by tho excellence
of the music and tho genuine dramatic in
tercst Of the plot. This deals with things
which are common enough in musical plays
which have been laid in Hungary and the
other countries which form the borderiand
between Europe and Asia. TO whose Ntera-
ture and music tho ubiquitous gypsy has
directly and indirectly contributed 80 much.
The crrant nature OF the gypsy. the ia9cl-
nation of his music. was celebrated ty Ny.
Padercwsk IN his "Manru', the compelling
charm of tine music Of the Czardas was
exuulsitely illustrated By Johann Strauss
I'm his INSTRUMENTATION" In this new work
the composer Of The Merry Widow has
used local color in SO slilful a manner
that his work deserved 20 be mentioned
with the works OF his Polish and Austrian
predecessors. He has invented delightful
melodies. ingrauating harmonies insInuat-
ing orchestral effects and has applied char
acteristic rhythms in a mastery manner.
The brilliant hues OF his orchestra have
their complement In the gorgeous pictures
presented By the scenes and the costumes
and the only dlscordant notes in the COM
position are those sounded By the FUN
makers. All of whom. led by the winsome
Miss Dorothy Webb. would nave been more
entertaining had the adapters not thought
In necessary 20 vulgarlze the play ny thrlr
interpretations. There were opNlouSiS' w..
Temptations in the musical score also bHt
they sounded "A less dissouant note. ON the
whole. Gypsy Love deserves wen AT me
hands Of Inc pubIlc. IL. II. Is.