The Washington times., 1914-09-29
NATIONAL.

Resisting the temptation offered by
the modern raSout of Sninbones AMI
shoulders, with which celebrated sirens
and polite vaudeville artists interspersa
their change of costumes and songs,
John c. Fisher presented Hazel DawI,
as star to a surprised and appre-
ciating audience in The Debutante,'' a
light opera by Victor Herbert and the
well-knOwn Smith family at the Ma
tional Theater last evening. With due
claims Miss Dawn provides as an in
spiration. the title Of the opera may
have been more properly The Renais-
sance. While this suggestion may not
be as happy choice as The Debu-
tante," in view of modern convention
and that 1t is Miss Dawn's success in
which Mr.. Fisher Is most interested. al
the same time it reflects the feeling of
most of the people who heard the first
presentation Of the work, because it
seems return to the old idea of pre-
senting a story with music in such a.
way that the story is not altogether
lost in the music or the fine quality of
the music forgotten in the effort of fol-
lowing the story.
When the first OF the musicians and
poets revolted at the sombreness of the
accepted form of opera and evolved
that style Of entertainment which not
only provided melody, but q musical
theme. offset by a charming story that
flashed a spoken line or two of wit
without being uproariously farcical, they
called 1t opera comique. and it gained
vogue along with its many enemies.
AS time progressed and the high price
of motor cars made ii necessary for
prima donnas to conserve their voices
for concert work and the vaudeville
specialists to get more money than the
two-a-day afforded, models formerly
used for the display of the product Of
the cloak and suit trade or the studios
of sculptors OF nude figures, were
called 10 help fill in the intervals when
the vocalist or the toe or buck dancers
were not on the stage under the name
of musical comedy.
OF course there was a wide stretch
of years between the intervals of
opera comique and the modern school.
but it is within the memory of living
music lovers that there were such
things as light operas and there were
few moments during the presentation
of THE Debutante" last night when
the spirit of reminiscence did not
spread itself over the audience. as
was evidenced by the satisfied smiles
and hearty encores. The young prima
donna has more than a single melody
to interpret, the chorus sings rather
than simply wears the beautiful cos
tunes provided for IL, or displays its
physical charms, and the cast really
acts a play.
Hazel Dawn has both the stamina
and charm for the career of a musical
star Her voice. given more of an
endurance than quality test in the
two acts of her play. seemed capable
of withstanding the strain and her
ability to look and act the part the
title suggests amply sustained her
managers efforts in her behalf.
Sylvia Jason might have been given
more to do than the two parts assign
ed her If the wishes of the audience
were fully complied with. Maude Odell
and Zoe Barnett We're equal to the
work of carrying the remainder of
the women's burdens OF the piece.
Stewart Baird and Robert G. Pitkin
were we'll cast and sang their several
numbers in satisfactory style and
finish. Alan Nude was happily placed
and gave his usual good account of
himself. although his audience would
have liked to have seen him given
great ter opportunity.
Will West and William Danforth
specialize the comedy in the way that
left little to be desired. and Theodore
Heinroth, the 'cellist added a touch
of music that will not soon be for
gotten.
Composer Herbert conducted the or
chestra at last evenings performance
and was given a share of the applause
that was generously showered on each
number. GARDNER MACK