Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-26
Belasco.

Jaclnta, an opera cOmique. presented
by John Cort at the Belasco Theater yes
terday afternoon and last evening, may
be likened to a collection Of beautiful
pearls strung on a very ordinary string,
the pearls representing the musical num-
bers and ensembles and the very ordinary
string the story, plot or book. But even
though the story may suggest mediocrity
OF the tritest character, probably due to
the fact that it originated in two minds
in German and found it's present status
by percolating through two more minds
in English, the music is so beautiful and
so attractive as to thoroughly entertain
And 1t was well sung at both perform
ances yesterday. while the personal con-
tributions of the principals. aside from
their work laid down in the score. clearly
indicated how delightful the whole might
have been had librettist with a good
theme been fortunate enough to have so
good composer and SO good company
to embelish his work
The plot turns on the efforts of the
president of South American republic
to get away from his responsibilities and
let his conspiring anita gonist win Inter-
larded with this are the efforts of his
wife, by making him jealous of young
army officer. to win his admiration from
strange Partisan creatures across the sea
10 whom he would gladly fly for diver
SION, and love story between the young
officer and "Jacinta,'' a. young woman
who gives an insight into her character
by singing. and very sweetIy. too. "You
cannot Blame Me for My Spanish Blood"
AS one really does not need to know the
story in detail to enjoy the music its
recital is unnecessary
Forrest Huff. Washington favorite.
was the surprise of the cast with a
beautiful tenor robusto voice that add
ed much charm to the music and made
OF his song when Fortune Has Flown"
the gem OF the opera His lasso duet
with Anna Bussert the waltz duet,
Loves Fond Dream with Bertha
smack (Jacinta): charming number.
and his duet with Miss Shalek. NV
Thought. Thy Thought" with the en-
semble. were beyond question the must
cal treasures of the score.
Miss Shalek, yet new to her role
as she joined the company but few
advantage. hut her voice is a distinct
addition to the company, and was unite
effective at times last evening. Anna
Bussert made a graceful and charming
Angelo. wife of the gay president, and
sang her role pleasingly in spite NJ the
fact that volume of sound seems to he
very popular with the. company. She
was most effective in Isabella and
Romeo" the one Spanish song of the
group. Fay BANTER won MANY ad-
mlrers with her representation of the
stenographer and typist to the presi-
dent. although her comedy contribution
as the central young lady in the
telephone exchange was perhaps her
pest work OF the evening. Miss BANTER
dances gracefully and acts we'll Tom
Hadaway made laughable "Casterra
pretender to the presidency, and Dfcl,
Temple got all out of the role of the
president that it was entitled to. The
remainder Of the company did good
service in minor parts. and the chorus.
attractively and sometimes dazzIingIv
arrayed. was one of the very brilliant
features of the opera.
The original books of the opera were
Emerich Won Gatti and the music nv,
Heinrich Berte. The translation of the
original books was made by Maurice
Hageman, while the English book and
lyrics were supplied by John L. Shine.
The opera was staged by Edward p.
Temple.