The Washington herald., 1914-04-14
BELASCO.
aIoIanthe.'

The Gilbert G. Sullivan Opera Company
at the opening OF its engagement at the
| Belasco Theater last night gave wash
ington the first opportunity in many a
long year to hear one of the most charm
| ing Of all light opera classics And hav-
ing heard 'Iolanthe" Is TO swell the al
ready loud chorus of wonder tnat op-
portunity like this comes SO seldom.
To this day and time this tunetui'
graceful, fantastic. humorous musical sa-
tire is nothing less than revelation. To
many IT is altogether new, and the re-
finement of its wit and beauty sends the
Iatter-day hodge-podge called musicai
comedy into its proper tawdry caste as
never before. To those who are fortu-
nate enough to have known this opera IN
its own time dts revival must be re-
freshing reminder. bringing confidence
also, that lew life has been found In the
theater that brings back such enchanting
art as this.
From beginning to end OF the scofe'
'rIolanthe" is melody itself, with light
some spirit and hitting rhythms rivaled
scarcely even in other Sullivan scores ana
certainly nowhere else. The Gilbert lines
are as fresh in their satire, as suotly
humorous and as cleverly pointed as II
directed to the politics OF today instead
of Victorian England. And nothing In
externals seems lacking to make uhis
Shubert and Brady production, under d.
rection OF Edward P. Temple. thing OF
perfect delight.
DeWolf Hopper. the star, appears as
the Lord Chancellor, and is as funny as
his most ardent admirers could ASK In
a fashion especially satisfactory because
he omits almost entirely the horseplay
which so marred his Dick Deadeye, Tor
instance, when "Pinafore' was last given
here. Miss Alice Brady. who leaps
nimbly back and forth from straight
drama to light opera, proves her YER
satiIity this time as Phyllis Her voice
is a light soprano, clear and sweet. and
she is a dainty and satisfying picture.
Miss Sara NJ Edwards Is an enect'Ne
figure in the other principal feminine role.
the Fairy Queen.
The cast is especially strong in male
voices including such well-knoWn ana
welcome names as Herbert Waterous'
Arthur Aldridge, and Arthur Cunning
ham. To these is added John c. Thomas
a new conner. whose songs are delight
full, both by the sweetness OF his voice
and the ease and grace OF his rendering.
and whose personality Is ideal for
Strephon Mr.. Aldridge, as the Earl OF
Tololler, and Mr.. Cunningham. as the
Earl of Mount Aararat, developed both
vocal and the comic possibilities Of their
roles, and Mr.. Waterous. as Private Will
lis, with unfortunately very little for
his magnificent bass voice to do, was a
figure unspeakably droll even in his
silent moments.
The lovely fairy choruses, the rich mu-
sic and delicious satire of the lords en-
sembles. beautifully sung to orchestral
accompaniment skillfully directed by
Frank Paret. the dances and exquisite
stage pictures-aIl this tempts enthu-
siastic description. Better is II. however.
to see and hear for oneself, and fortu-
nately those who missed "Iolanthe" last
night have yet an opportunity Friday.
The Presidents box was occupied last
night by the President himself, Miss
Eleanor Wilson and Secretary McAdoo.
DR.. Grayson. and Miss Bones. and all
floors of the theater were filled by an
enthusiastic audience.