The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-19
oxTRo,r OPERA HOUSE.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.
suafkllng and buDbling, with none
OF The bitter taste OF the spring which
helps 10 give her name, The Sprlhs
Maid" entered the Detroit opera
house. Monday evening, and captured
/fhe fancy of a houseful OF people, VINO
had laid aside Christmas preparations
10 earb themselves in their best at
tire and 10 provide one OF the most
brilliant audiences OF theA season 10
welcome Miss Christie Mcdonald. For
wear past folk outside OF New YORK
have heard of Miss Mcdonald 5
naked success In this pretty operetta
during It's run on Broadway, so II was
n foregone conclusion that when the
charming little singer took TO the
road" the box office would bear W.T.
ness 10 the eagerness OF the public OF
'sfhe provinces" TO see and hear TOT
themselves. Certainly, Miss Mcdonald
could have no quarrel with the wei
come given her Monday evening, or
her associates with the applause and
appreciation accorded them for their
efforts.
The Spring Maid" is one long waltz
of the yiennese brand, with closing
melody called Day Dreams and an
other honey-sweet tune, Two Little
Love Bees recurring constantly
throughout the score. Heinrich Rein
hardt wrote the music and the Smith
brothers, Harry and Robert, provided
The box and lyrics. The story is adapt
ed from the German and is built upon
a legend of spring in Carlsbad. The
title comes from the fact that dainty
little girl, presiding at the fountain
OF this particular sprint, is ripping
favorite with the young officers OF the
nearby garrison and is known 10 them
as the spring maid Beyond this
the story does not obtrude itself. and
the entertainment is frankly one OF
swaying waltz melodies, conventional
love-making. a little good travesty
and some rather sad comedy
The fascinating songs are made TO
take on decided musical merit in the
fact that they are exceptionally veil
sung. Rarely is light opera given, in
this day and age, with so many real
singers. The voices in the chorus are
fresh and clear, and il wassa distinct
treat TO hear them. All of the prin-
cipals had good voices and the whole
performance. under the spirited stick
OF Conductor John McGhie, one OF the
veterans in the business, went with
an infectious dash and vim.
Miss Mcdonald possesses a sweet
and very pretty soprano, which she
uses with taste and skill. II is not a
voice with any remarkable quirks
about II, but one of those pretty voices
which is always pleasing, and which
one never tires of hearing. Miss Nc
Donald is a dainty and delightfully."-
feminine little woman. with graceful
movements and a refined sense of
fun, and il would be impossible not
TO like her very much indeed She
has been a favorite in Detroit for
many years, and il is safe to say she
Increased her following Monday even
ing, TO an army of admirers.
The Spring Maid Is as charming
In its costuming and staging as il is
In its music The frocks and the SOL
diers' uniforms, the peasants dresses
and the fanciful costumes are beauti-
ftfl in color and fashion. The open
ing scene is symphony in green and
white as BETTING the suggestion OF
THE spring maid" There is richness
and brilliancy OF tint and artistic
groupings. and over all is a certain
delicacy of color treatment that has
marked charm
In the supporting company are the
following capable persons: Ben Hen
bricks as "the spring maids" papa,
Prince Nepomuk: Thomas Conkey, as
the tail and dashing soldier lover OF
the Princes Bozena, who masquer-
AIDES as ''the spring maid" Miss Elgie
Bowen as the real spring maid; Ar
thur F. Burckly as the princess man.
ly cousin: Tom McNaughton rs a
tragedian, engaged in directing the
pageant held annually in honor OF the
legend OF the spring; Miss Jessie
Bradbury, a mighty clever young
woman as the tragedians matinee
worshipper: Charles w. Meyers. as
sleuth who never captures anybody:
Miss isabel Francis as Eyakait. the
real spring maids mother.
Miss Mcdonald and her excellent
company will be in the Detroit all
wee kwith the customary matinecs.
and there is no doubt that the Eek
ception TO prove the rule" will be i'm
evidence in the fact that large audi.
ences will flock TO see the pretty
spring Maid and thus upset the ira
ditions that the week before Christ
mas Is the worst one, from a theatrical
Dox ONCE point OF view, in the whole
year. Beginning with Christmas
day matinee. Francis Wilson. in his
own play. "A Bachelors Baby" will
return to this theater for the third en-.
gagement OF one OF the prettiest
comedies of recent years.
ELLA NAE HAWTHORNE.
GARRICk.
truly masterpiece in moving pic.
tnre making is the animated portrayal