The Washington times., 1914-02-10
REAL MUSIC IN THE
MADCAP DUCHESS
Beautiful Light Opera Has a
Star voCaIIy Fitted to De-
IightfuI Role.

There's real music at the Columbia
this week, The Madcap Duchess" Vic
tor Herbert's comic opera, it sEUul1 at
least be dignihed by some other name
and identified most distinctly from the
slap-dash mince-pie concOction which
fe1ient theatergoers of today associate
with tie name of comic opera
" ls light opera, and very Oeauu-
ful light opera at that, for between Vic
TOR Herbert at lis best, David Stevens,
and Justin Huntley Mccarthy and 4
star, Anne Swinburne, who is physically
sud Vocally suited to her role, there Is
rot one bit of room for complaint. Fer
operas, perhaps there have been dashier
comic operas, but-this isn't a comic
oIera
Charming Love Story.
Justin HuntIey Mccarthy wrote "If 1
Were King" and the present tale, which
concerns itself with the marriage of
young Duchess Seraphina of Bapaume,
In Artola, during the reign Of the boy
king. Louis of France, is no less OF a
romantic and consistent love story,
charming in every detail Although the
plot is as old as love itself, the char
acters, in the hands OF capable perform
ers, are given a distinct individualism
which supplies a steady pull of real
heart interest throughout.
Seraphina, horse-riding, cok-fightinG,
fencing hoyden, slips off on a little h0ii-
day TO Paris. having in mind to marry
her neighbor, Prince Renaud, Of st.
Pail in Artois, and, in mans clothing,
eludeS her nursuers. Nidame de Bethune
and N. de Secherat, but succeeds only
in running headlon9 into the company
of Renaud.
But he is so busy following the Prin-
cess Stephanie to Paris that he does not
see through the disguise of the impu-
dent boy.
He is persuaded by her to join the
company Of the regents players so that
they may. all seek Paris together in
comparative safety. OF course, he finds
Stephanie to be false, and that he loves
Seraphina.
OF no less moment than the music
and book of this opera is the costum- |
ing and scenery itself. The court of
Louis, rich with satins. silk. and
volumi nous laces; the picture Of the boy
king himself, of the court painter Wat
Jeau, and even the Watteau nheater
IN the garden Of Versailles-all a1e rich
IN opportunity for a display Of taste
and color.
The first act. which shows the gar
den of the Windmill Inn at evening, is
no less cha rm'ng in its rustic way and
provides every necessity for the manip
act, without the least bit OF stretching,
or without any long drawn tales Of eX-
PLANTATION.
opera are very good, and here, perhaps,
lies the reason tor tie Ev.sIa- -
lence Of the performance. AS far as
has been possible, the characters have
been allowed to merely act like them
selves. tie fact that the vehicle is call
ed comic opera does not seem TO have
imUUed them with the atmosphere or
falsencss which peTmeates the average
comic musical effort.
Charming Anne Swinburne.
Anne Swinburne, a note in the pro
gram tells. was last seen here in the
title role Of The Climax" but some
may remember her better in the Count |
Of Luxembourg. Her energy, charm, |
and intelligence is infectious, while she |
is particularly happy in having score
so admirably suited TO her high and
sweet soprano voice. As Seraphina- she
provides so much dramatic interest
and genuine comedy that the noisy ei- ,
forts of any obtTusive comedian are
-nanifestly unnecessary, and have been /
omitted entirely.
Master Hardi, manager Of the regents
players. supplies just the proper cash |
or comedy. Fat, unctuous and bursting |
with courtesy, he is the same as of old. |
o: the music. there is so much TO |
say in explanation OF the phrase that |
s is Victor Herbert at his best, that it |
would do no good to start. Just as the !
p ,uks costumes and settings are typi- |
al OF the century from which they ,
, ono. so is the music suited to the deli !
, ate charm of the romance.
David Anuandra in the role Of Wat !
tau. George Leon Moore as Renaud, /
Peggy Wood as Stephanie are highly |
sa-isfactory. and Ike other unusua. !
manifestations of this comic" opera, !
,an not only sing but act. !
No lover of light opera, comic opera, !
1tlrIcal comedy or anything that YOU /
~ an, 10 call it. cau afford to miss see
!.C the "Madcap Duchess" If YOU !
nalcn't the price. borrow !; or get it /
-CUl- -h"U- +. = Y.