The Detroit times., 1912-12-03
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

The formula for constructing
Vienese opera 10 strictly followed In
GYPSY Love-" which opened In the
Detroit opera house. Monday evening,
The principal Ingredient is the waltz
strain. sensuous and alluring, which
runs through the three acts, appear
Ing and reappearing IL Is q pleasing
strain too, though II lacks the instant.
appeal OF the famous Merry Widow,
which established Franz Lehar, who
wrote both, In the operate world.
There IL much other good music In
the score az well, and II Is all rem
iniscent OF the quaint folk songs Of the
semi-oriental peoples Of southeastern
Europe. The dancing, too, is under
the same folk influence.
The plot 10 not startlingly original.
II II laid In Roumania and concerns
Zorika, the wilful daughter OF noble
man, Niklas, who spurns the faithful
lover whom her father. has selected
for her In favor OF q wandering gypsy
musician, who carries her away with
his nery love-making. Zorika's nurse
learns OF the plan TO elope with tho
gypsy and induces Zorika 10 drink
magic potion which will enable her
to foresee her future. In dream. The
second act portrays the dream, the set
ting being a Budapest cafe. where
Jozsi, the gypsy lover, tired OF Zorika,
returns to his old haunts and casts
her aside from another. Zorika awak-
ems in the final act, finds that every
thing has been a dream, and dutifully
obeys her fathers wishes.
Harry B. and Robert B. Smith, who
translated the book from the German,
have not been especially successful.
The broad comedy 10 supposed to be
supplied by Mikel q cafe proprietor.
and Niklas, the father OF Zorika, who
70 In love with a charming widow, but
most OF the situations fall very nat,
and some Of the business" has done
service for many years In third.rate
shows. The inevitable cafe scene ar
fords what opportunity there Is for
real entertainment along this line, an
the best OF II 10 a baby" duet In which
neither Of the principal comedians
takes part.
Miss Phyllis Partington. new oper-
attic star, who has come into proml-
nent notice very rapidly, has the role
OF Zorika, and she sings II very cap
ably Sheghas a powerful mezzo-so-
prano voice, and she had the audience
with her from her opening song. The
part OF Jozsi In sung by Arthur Alrbo.
who has a fine tenor voice and uses
Il dramatically. His dancing has the
graceful abandon OF the wild gypsy
type which he represents.
One OF the most pleasing little per-
sons In the cast is dainty Mona Des-
mond. very sophisticated little
boarding school miss, who makes
things very lively while she Is on the
stage. With Raymond Crane as kas-
par, a bashful country pumpkin, she
puts I'm some OF the most entertaining
touches In the production. In the sec.
ord act they have q graceful little duet
In the course OF which four little
youngsters In quaint dutch costume
dance with them.
Phil Branson does the best he can
with the part OF Niklas. and Harry
Permsen makes a good deal out or
the part OF Mikel. considering what
he 10 given. Miss Deola Lucey. as
lima, the charming widow, has a good
voice and a pleasing manner. Charles
Fulton has the thankless part OF the
accepted lover OF Zorika, which gives
him an opportunity 10 sing q couple OF
songs acceptably.
II 10 upon Its music that Gypsy
Love" must make its way. There Is
very little In the book TO help II
along. But the music II good enough
TO carry II a long way. and the COM
pany which II singing Il L. capable or
presenting all the charms of the
music. II rises In some OF the climaxes
to the strength OF grand opera.
The principal song numbers I'm |