The Washington times., 1912-05-28
ABORNS DELIGHT
WITH LIGHT OPERA
| AT NEW NATIONAL
"Hansel and Gretel," as First
4, Part of Double Bill,
: h>>. Pleases,

Some Of the most famous masterpieces
Of literature that are assured of an
,undying popularity were originally con-
iceived and written without any thought
iof their being of use for longer thai,
the moment, for the benefit and amuse-
ment of children.
Lewis Carroli's famous "Alice in Won
derland" and Through Looking
Glass" and Thackaray's Rose and the
Ring are classics. and many other.
could be mentioned. "Hansel and Gretel,"
Ity Engeibert Humperdinck, n typo OF
pure German opera rarely to be found.
was originally written for a children $
performance. and the success that ut
tended its first performance was 70
marked that the author was urged 10
enlarge upon his theme, and make II
an opera of greater proportions.
While the music Is characteristic cf
the plot, and abounds in catching melo-
dies. waltzes. and folk songs, 1t is evil
dent that the little comedy was stretch
ed In places to meet the requirements
of grand opera. There Is no moral, no
attempt at intricate plot, or subtle al
legorical Significance in the opera. II
Ifs purely the charming little story OF
Hansel and Gretel, as II was written in
Grfmm's old fairy tales There are only
we'll spring Of delight to any child, for
its plot is so simple that even the small
est tot could grasp its story.
/ Singers Are Charming.
Aa Meade as Gretel. and Edith
Bradford Us Hansel. were more than
Icharming, and gave an Interpretation
OF their roles which showed that they
Understood the necessity ot playing
down to the minds Of children. Miss
Meade's voice Is high and clear. and
while her lower notes would not meet
the requirements. perhaps. OF a heav'
Iicr opera, she was happy choice. wher
cast in this part. Her conception Of
the intimate social relations with Han
qdarreied exactly as two naughty chill
I,iren would quarrel, without over act
ing this scene in the least. The Ahorr
lCompanv has presented Miss Bradfort
before 70 Washington audiences. will
whom she has been popular
Anna Hull. in the dual lole of TIL
Sandman and the Dewman. has excel
lent parts. She has a good soprantt
voice, hut II seemed unstable last night
especially m the second part of the bill
when Cavalleria Rusticania' was giveI
!n which she was cast as Lola. Mortoi
Adkins took the the is,,s Part Of ssle; Isfer; s tn
Gertrude, his wife. Mr.. Adkins alway
gives pleasing performance vocally
aud as Aldo. in the, second opera. HI
whip song was excellent. Miss Dc Sci
lem, beside. playing Gertrude in "Hanse
and Ciretel," took the part of Mamm
Lucia in the Mascagni opera Her Voic
was heard to advantage in her part
and her ncakc-up in both characters wa
lcommendable.
Webb Does Well.
Another singer in the cast who's
makeup was decidedly satisfying wa
Clifton Webb, who took the part Of tn
Witch who eats children, but IL it coul
have been possible. the voice Of WON
an would have been better suited to tn
part. The program had billed Johann
Kristoffy as Santuzzam, but she Wi
not appear until tonight, Miss Berth
Shalek singing that role last night. He
voice was admirably suited to Battain'
rendition OF Turrtdu.
Artistically and vocally, Miss Shale
gave a performance that Is well worth
cf unstlnted praise. The audience a
last nights performance did not re
spond with the applause that the credit
able and enjoyable performance merit
ed. Perhaps they had forgotten how t
be children again, or perhaps they wer