The Washington herald., 1913-04-08
NEW NATIONAL.

ssThe Count Of Luxembourg."
Twice this season have local playgoers
enjoyed the alluring strains of Lehar
waltx-tke visits of Gypsy Love" and
The Merry Widow" affording the OPP
punity Now comes another Lehar score.
and a melodious and delightful one, a
score replete with harponies that delight
the ear and lull the senses to repose, a
score with wnderful waltz number as
its piece de resistance, the whole bril-
liantly interpreted by an augmented
orchestra So much for the latest Lehar
numbers contained in THE Count of
Luxembourg" the two-act musical ro-
nance, which, under the managerial di-
rection of Klaw & Erlanger, was ac-
corded most cordial reception by a
large audience at the National last night.
And in addition to the melodic charm
Of the waltz kings score, Glen Mac
donough has evolved an interesting,
consistent, and appealing love story in
his adaptation from the German of
Wilmer and Bodansky, while Adrian
Ross and Basil Hood have contributed
lyrics of a quality far above the ordi-
nary. Nor have Messrs. Klaw & Err
LANCER sighted the material about
which their production is built, for they
have afforded fitting setting for the
development of the romance between
the gallant Rene and his idol of the
opera. The second act setting is es-
pecially to be commended as an exam
pie of elaborate and tasteful stage dec
grafton.
Count Rene of Luxembourg, financially
very much the worse for wear, but en-
joying the handto-mouth life of the
student quarter in Paris. is sharing
quarters with his friend Brissard. who
would be an artist. Here, amidst
scene of frivolity, occasionally inter-
rupted by the appearance of a collector,
comes the Grand Duke Rutzinov, a
gentleman of uncertain age, untold
wealth, and a great admiration for the
fair sex. He is DESTROYS of wedding his
protege, the fair Angelo Didier of the
opera, but there is little matter of
elevating the singer to a title before the
marriage can be consumated This the
duke succeeds i'm overcoming by inducing
Rene, who ct the moment finds II
necessary to raise money to assist Bris-
sard to marry Angelo, never seeing her
the while, to leave Paris Immediately
after the ceremony and to be divorced
within three months from the wife he
has never seen.
The plan works beautifully until Rene,
returning to Paris several days before
the divorce is to be granted, sees Angelo
al the opera, and straightway falls in
love with her. On a pretext, he follows
her to the dukes residence, where
grand ball is in progress, and there
makes love to her. She recprocates,
until suddenly Rene is announced the
Count of Luxembourg, when, thinking
that he knew her as his wife, she scorns
him. HAPPILY. the true state of affairs
is revealed. the duke is claimed by a
formidable-looking princess. who hap
pens along at just the right moment, and
Angelo prepares to become the Countess
of Luxembourg in truth.
Interest in the clever cast centers in
Ann Swinburne, who vocally and visu-
ally more than warrants the many fiat
tering reports that have preceded her
Miss Swinburne is the fortunate posses
sor of a most attractive stage presence,
an ingratiating personality, and So
prano of wide range and sympathetic
quality, which she. uses with excellent
effect in her several numbers. Miss
Swinburne also proves herself dancer
OF ability. her work in the famous stair
case waltz number, which she dances
with Mr.. Moore, being executed with
ease and grace.
Singing opposite Miss Swinburne is
George Leon Moore, whose Rene proves
an attractive lover, and whose splendid
tenor has seldom been heard to better ad-
vantage. Reba Dale makes an attractive
J uliette. displaying a contralto of appeal
ing quality, and proving herself possessed
of a well-developed gift for funmaking,
especially evident in the I'm Society"
number with Mr.. Walton. This bit of
drollery, thanks to Miss Dale, and to the
amusing activities of Fred Walton, Who
is, as ever, a master pantomimist, con-
vulsed the house. Mr. Walton's Brissard
is throughout a matchmaking characteri-
zation.
Frank Moulan, who is the Duke, finds
ample opportunity for the successful ex-
ercise of that peculiar gift for fun
making that is his In his two solo num-
bers. 81 Am in Love-" and "Rootsie-
Pootsie,'' Mr.. Moulan was forced to
respond to numerous encores. the former
especially, being very near the height of
the ridiculous.