Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-25
New National.

With winsome vivacity and voice Of
rare charm. Naughty Marietta won.
literally, the hearts and hands of a large
audience at the New National 'Theater
last evening. Marietta" Of course, was
Mile. Emma Trentini, an Oscar Ham
merstein grand opera star, but she was
first of all Marietta gay. vivacious,
bew1tching and-even the ladies said it
dear, for she isn't really naughty
after all. just captivating and saucy.
Her voice. of unusual tone and volume,
sonal triumph In every number.
described a. comic opera-Without
stating that it is Of the old. old school
the play offers comedy that is by no
means subtle. and yet in its music
light operas"
1t is. indeed. a musical production on
the borderland of grand opera, yet
say from being heavy" by the sweet
musical comedy in form. The music is BY
Victor Herbert, the book and lyrics by
Rfda johnson Young and the whole
under the management Of Arthur Ham
The story is picturesque, quaint and
at times really dramatic, though this
latter element Is allowed to predominate
for brief intervals only. The setting is
back in the romantic, heroic days of
Louisiana in 1880, when woodsmen,
frontiersmen, buccaneers, quadroon
bellies and casquet girls tbyonged the
streets Of old New Orleans. The cos
tunes are superbly bewitching and
quaint.
Naughty Marietta really a countess,
has fled from her native land with q num-
Der Of casquet girls; but. unlike them.
she Is vastly concerned about not being
ture, she DISCUSSES herself as the son OF
the keeper Of a marionette theater. who
shields her at the command of the captain
Of band Of forest rangers. Alack and
the marionette show-as far as the draw
ing qualities Of the lay figures are con-
cerned-to say nothing Of the hearts OF
the citys beaux. especially the son Of the
incognito the famous buccaneer. Bras
Priquet" He. eagerly. and the captain OF
rangers, unwillingly. contend with pistols
diplomacy and song for the hand of the
| naughty maid And Marietta, on the
| moment Of her wedding to the governors
son. discovers that the woodsman loves
her.
The supporting company is quite al
that could be desired. The ensembles are
| unusual and the chorus is billed as from
the Manhattan Opera House Much OF
the success Of the piece is due the ad-
mirable orchestration, under the direction
of Gaetano Merola. There are nineteen
musical numbers, all Of them deserving
VI luuINlOudi IUculiOH, tuOS0 tHdt SccIIcU
to please the audience the most were
I'm Failing in Love with Some One, "
Dream Melody" Meath the Southern
Moon and Naughty Marietta
Mime. Maria Duchene. who appeared
as Adah. the quadroon slave. possesses
contralto voice second only in pleas
ing qualities to that OF Mile. Trentini:
her one solo was given several encores.
Orville Harold. with his tenor voice
OF wide range and power and his ex-
quisite shading. made an ideal captain
OF forest rangers His '1ove song" in
| the last act was hauntingly rendered
Edward Martindel appeared as the son
of the governor. and was acceptable in
his virile portrayal Of that part and in
his solo. Marry a Marionette." The
comedy was in the capable hands of
Kate Gilmore, well known for her &C.
| centric methods; Harry Cooper and
| Howard Morgan. James A. Murray was
quite effective as Rudolfo The re-
| mainder OF the cast was of uniform
and unusual excellence