New-York tribune., 1911-12-26
"THE WEDDING TRIP" SUNG
De Koven's New Comic opera
Presented at the Broadway.

",Vhe Wedding Trip" a comic opera III
.hroo acte music by Reginald De KoVen'
book by Harry B. Smith and FREQ ne
Gresac. was produced last night AT 'he
broadway Theatre before an audience VI
goodlv proportions. Mr.. De Koven Is one
of the few American composers ol Hs"e
opera whose efforts are always worthy Vi
critical attention, and I'm last night : Oh
fering there was considerable that shoulu
win praise In "Thc Wedding lrlp'
Mr.. De Koven has striven TO write leh'
onara of genuine type, an opera possess
ing a consistent story toward the eNposl-
ton of which all the music and action tehu'
In this effort he has returned TO the
davs OF his robin Hood and Rob Roy
and II his success has not been In equal
proportion to his intentions, the composer
is 10 be praised for his courage in show
ing his faith in the best traditions OF
light opera.
Not that tho score OF The Wedding
Trip" Is a poor one, for IT is muscianly
throughout and always in keeping with the
story. Where It's weakness lies is in its
lack of color and Of contrasts despite the
fact that there are several catchy songs.
The original idea Of the opera Is an eX-
cellent one Felix and Francois are twin
brothers. Felix being timid and FRANCOIS
amorous Felix at the rise of the curtain
has Just married FRITZ, and they are at
the point of setting of on their honeymoon
when news is brought that Francois nav
ing absented himself without leave from
his regiment, is liable to be shot as
traitor. Felix, who exactly resembles MS
twin brother, IS prevailed upon to take MS
place as the leader of the soldiers VINO are
10 capture a brigand named Marta. feIN
then is beseged by the attentions oil three
women who think that he Is FRANCOIS
Aza = evpsy: Iotta a tavern keeper, ana
Francois's wife Basile Malta, VINO Is
most gentlemanly brigand, is. IN addllloh'
In love with Aza. FRITZ ana ner ldinuS'
coming in search OF Felix, are captured DS
Ntafts and the end comes most uneNpec'-
edly. ,,.,., ,,,,
Much NIGH. have been accomplished WIN
=, - s,ory but unfortunately. the libret-
fists have not risen to their opporlu lui"'S
The humor is too often laDored' thous"
thanks should be duly rendered that the
oefo,,si,.e mixture Of stupidity and vulgaritF
rst 400 often passes for humor on Broad
,.o,. &c also absent The book or - ne
Wedding Trip at least aims al peiter
things.
The cast which Mr.. De Koven has chosen
is an excellent one and i'm the case 81 MI
Nartindel. who plays the brigand chier' !.
rossesses a singer far superior 20 the usual
musical comedy type. Mr. Marundel DAYS
voice is a fine one, and one that ne uSe9
we'll His figure and bearing, too are OF
more than usual distinction.
Good words. TOO. should be said for the
singing of Dorothy Jardon. as Aza, ana
for tho amusing acting Of John McCloskey'
as Felix. and Of Christine Nielsen, as
FRITZ The chorus is in addition, exceed
irgIy pretty and We'll drilled. and the
scenery of far more than usual excellence.
one song by the chorus, The Seashell
Telephone" is especially pretty both in It's
music and in IT'S execution.
The audience appeared abundanilv pleased
and applauded most enthusiastically.