Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-06
New National.

What many will believe to be Victor
Hcrbert's most enjoyable operate compo-
sition, ''Sweethearts.' received a SPLEEN
did Endorsement from a representative
audience at the National Theater last
night To those who succumbed to Its
enchantnIcnt it seemed as if the delight
fuI little star had given a special in
spiration to the brilliant composer, and
that the latter had responded with the
best that was in him to lead Christie
Macdonald TO still greater eminence in
popular favor. 1t a continual sue
cession of beautiful surprises. and more
delighted audience never left the Ma
tonal Theater than that which hummed
the melodies, beamed with delight and
sang its praises last night.
The opening chorus, with the White
Geese laundry girls novel number raised
expectations at the very outset, aud II
needed only the stirring military chorus,
by one Of the best male aSgregations that
ever sang in musical comedy, to con-
vince the cNpectant that not only some
thing new but something especially fine
in store for them.
Then came the delightful Smiles,
brilliantly sang by Miss Eleanor Henry
and ensemble. to prepare the way for the
triumphal entry of the little lndescriba-
bl" Christie Macdonald and the sweet
and never seemed to let its echoes die.
\ robust song. For Every Lover, fine
IS sung by Thomas Conkey. served TO
intloduce the hero of the play. And
then followed Il series of quaint and Slor-
iuIIs surprises in Mother Goose.
sparkling little gem that led up to the
"Angeus,' one of the most beautiful OF
the musical numbers. Absolutely unique
in its musical and scene treatment. it
served to- enable the gifted composer to
blend with the fun orchestral score the
music OF the grand organ in a way that
was simply glorious.
The quaint little .Sabot Dance" with
Miss Henry'S splendid voice tempered
with the merriment of the three lesser
comedians, Lionel Walsh. the last sur
viving heir of THE Slinssbys." that Won
dcrful family Of doubtful accomplisf
meHtS: Frank Belcher whose adipose
pondcrosity nevertheless hid line voice
tIat later gave good account OF itself
and the unique Robert O'Connor. whose
%rotcSquc ''EmberoSity' and contortional
dancing was one of the features of the
comedy element of the performance. All
the while the irresistible Tom McNaugh-
ton was there, almost every minute of
the time. with his unique equipment as
perhaps the best comedian in musical
comedy. melting merriment, provoking
laughter and taking good care that smiles
never left the faces that sparkled in
Front of him.
After a. orchestral prelude that lifted
inc hearers INTO the realms OF grand
opera with its exquisite beauty and that
literally forced the leading voiinist of
the orchestra into notice compelling ac-
know Judgement of tie applause. came the
brilliant opening OF the second act that
served to again introduce" that splendid
male chorus would expect Victor
Herbert to introduce something of which |
he was proud. And he was proud of it. rs
we'll as of his star and her company. for
lie said SO in a modest. gracious little
sT,t.fa no
the end of the first act, when even
Christie Macdonald refused to share the
honorS with him.
\ dance cccentriaue by the elastic and
resilient Robert O'Connor: "A fine solo by
the corpulent Bclcher; a dainty number.
In the Convent They Never Taught Me
That, by the little star; The Game of
Love. Splcndidly sung by Edwin Will
son: ini,nitable comedy Offering Il
Dom Know How I Do 1t But Do by
Lionel Walsh. the imperturahle .'Slinss-
by, and then came the Cricket on the
Hearth picture of pure delight. with
music to match, by Christie Macdonald
and Mr.. Conkey.
Tom McNaughtons musical opportunity
came next in the grotesque Monks
Quartet that had to be repeated several
times. Lionel Walsh Robert O'Connor
and Frank Belcher shared in the honors
OF the quartet. The big finale gathered in
the melodies of the opera and its superb
orchestration vas a wealth of music to
gather from-all of it Interpreted by Vic
tor Herbert himself with his masterful
handling of his opera orchestra
No review would be complete that over
looked the splendid work of Miss Ethel
Du Ere Houston, as Dame Paula. pro-
prietress of the White Geese laundry,
who, though denied big solo. was new
ertheless a tower of strength in the en-
seuble work with fine contralto and in
the comedy of her roles. Misses
Nella Mccoy, Cecilia Hoffman. Edith AL
Ian, Gertrude Rudd, Gene Peltier and
Gretchen Hartman. charming daughters
of Dame Paula, and Briggs French, Ed
ward Crawford and William Wilder also
had the honor of being identified with the
great performance. The scenic settings
and the fresh, beautiful costumes. at
times gorgeous, helped delight the eye
and were complete in every detail.