The Washington herald., 1914-02-10
AT THE THEATERS LAST NIGHT
COLUMBIA.
Ann swinburne In ssThe MadcaD
Duchess.0


Ann swinburne In "The MadeaD
Duchess."
Victor Herberfs opera "The MadcaF
Duchess" which was seen for the firs'
time in Washington at the Columbis
Theater last night. comes like a breath
of perfume from an old-fashioned garden
the garden of long gone yesteryeaf
where violets bowed their dew-drencheo
head like shy-eyed nuns within their ven
of shadow; where snowdrops lifted chai-
first confession Of sunrise, and pinks sent
their spicy fragrance across the new
born dsy-a garden where fair ladies In
brocaded silks field speech with princes.
and knights. and courtiers-and love ran
the world.
The program claims the piece to be a
comic opera but one knows the moment
Miss Ann Swinburnes radiant PERSONAL
ity begins to dominate the stage that II
can be nothing less than romsntc
opera When you have seen the star
shine in her eyes; known the wftchery
OF her dimples, and heard the exquisite
quality of her voice you'll quite agree
with me that '"rhe Madcap Duchess
Just had to be a romantic piece, for this
new star from Oregon seems to have
been expressly made for just the sort Of
She reminds one of a clear little brook
that sings its way through such sun
kissed spot-a brook with a voice ss clear
and true as the blue sky above, rejecting
its moods, and giving in its n,irrored
surface every feeting cloud Of emotion.
or sun-ray Of Joy.
First she Is the gay little runaway
duchess in the garb of a man eluding
her guardians. She sets out for Paris
in pursuit Of Remand, Prince of St Paul
in Artois, who happens to be in love
with another. woman. and has sworn
never TO marry the little duchess whom
he has never seen. Seraphina gets him
all the same, although she has to gain
his companionship through several dis
guises. and shield him from himself be-
fore he learns her worth.
The book, which was translated to the
stage from a novel by Justin Huntley
Mccarthy, is not brilliant, but IT has
lust that touch of tenderness which be-
longs to that garden Of another day to
which Mr. Herberts music carries one
back, and the lyrics. which are furnished
by David Stevens, are much above the
average, blending harmoniously with the
score, which is easily the finest work
the buoyant Irish-American composer
has done for years
1 think he must have been thinking
Of old-fashioned poseys when he
wrote IL, for IL radiates their variety,
richness of coloring. and exquisite del
icacy in most enchanting fashion. There
is a lifting waltz theme Lose Is Story
That's Old" which Miss Swinburne sings
with rare shades Of expression, and MI
George Leon Moore, who is romanuc
figure in the role of Renaud, grasps his
fun opportunity for the display OF his
exceptional vocal ability in his solo num-
he 70 entitled 'lrOQ0eSS
Mine"
Among the ensemble numbers there are
two that one would go far to hear the
second time one q hunting song in the
first act, "oh, Up It's Up" sung by
Henry Vincent. Miss Peggy Wood, and
chorus, and the second an exquisite
madrigal "Babette of Beaujolias" rend-
cred bv Miss Swinburne and chorus.
Russell Powell and Gilbert Clayton
scored a personal hit last night in
pertinent comedy number. Harry Mac
donoush made the stereotyped role OF the
head of travelling company OF actor.
folk live with interest, extracting real
fun from it in his burlesque love scenes
with Miss Peggy Wood, who played the
disdainful Marquise de Phalaris with
much grace, having a chance to also give
evidence of a melodious soprano in her
duo number with David Andrada-
The mounting OF this new musical
piece, and its quaint and picturesque cos
TUNES of ITO are all a part OF Its en-
trancing coloring, making harmonious
Unit which is an artistic triumph.
Then there is an augmented orchestra
over which Mr.. Robert Hood Bowers
waves a capable baton, bringing out all
the orchestral beauty of the Herbert
score; filling the theater with melodies
which breathe the very spirit OF ro-
nance, and are our old-fashioned garden
incarnate.
Do go to the Columbia this week and
see THE Madcap Duchess"-My Lady
Of Moods-for 1t is just the daintiest and
most exquisite thing which New York
has sent our way in many moon
JULIA CHANDLER MANI.