Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-07
Princess Pat" Good
Music and Blarney

three
acts. Music by Victor Herbert. Libretto by
Henry Blossom. Lyric Theatre.
Marie ..s.s..s..s.... Miss Ieonora Novasio
Thomas ..................s" Martyn HAYDN
Tony schmaiz Jr............,... Robert ober
Sracs I'm, ,oo MA tnssps peiroeT
Gen: John Holbrook ......... Louis Casavant
Pns PrInsssss al 1 Mon;aido Miss Eleanor painter
(Nee Patrice O'Connor).
Prince Antonio a. MontaidO. Joseph =. Lertore
Berte Ashland ......s......... Ralph Nfgs
Gabrielle Fourneaux 1900. Katharine Witchie
Victor Herbert was out with the blarney
last night He told the audience at the
Lyric that he simply couldn't put on a
piece like "The Princess Pat" In town
like Paterson. He just had to bring II TO
Philadelphia first. Which may or may
not account for the impression some
Boardwalkers got about fortnight ago
that they were seeing THE Princess Pat
down in Atlantic City.
Further blarney, he called It comic
opera" Opera" yes Mr.. Herbert at
tended to that very thoroughly. But
"comic !" How he underestimated Mr..
Blossom. That gentleman took hold Of
the old one about curing an indifferent
husband by making him Jealous and
worked it out painfully to the bitter end.
An erudite musical editor. who ought to
avoid matters so far outside hfs range,
saS there were three Jokes in the first
act one of doubtful parentage and one
by George AIDE.
But, be Il added Immediately. a gentle
man named Sam b. Hardy, who under
stands the Hale Hamilton stun better
than its inventor, had a very amusing
time of II with Mr.. Blossoms added
feature" o young man who found all
good things either wrong, expensive or in
furious. until said Mr.. Hardy "oozed
himself into his life and guided It to-
ward young lady.
In general the cast was excellent. Rob-
ert Ober, Alexander Clark. Angela Pal
mer, AL Shean, Joseph II. Lertora divided
Il cir energies between singing almost as
r~u as the music deserved and acting
far better than the libretto merited. Mr.
Riggs and Miss Witchie danced with ex-
ceptional charm. AS for Miss Painter
she is just as New York thought. a real
discovery. She sings clearly, strongly
sweetly. And she acts. With her pleas
ing personality. the combination is ex'
ceptional.
Victor Herbert has written more ambi.
tious music. He has written more tune
full music. But the score of "The Prin.
cess Pat" proved, like all his other music
good, solid, enjoyable stuff. 1t has vigor
1t had spirit. 1t was adroit. 1t turned
neat musical phrases on the one hand
and, on the other. used a very satisfying
amount of noise genteelly. Rippes anC
| runs abounded. Drama was there anC
sentiment. Humor also. In one number
For better, for worse" Mr.. Herbert wee
all three into a sort of delicate higl
comedy that was quite as unusual as tn,
| fact that the song was a reflective due
of two women on the difficulties of lif,
and love.
1.-The Princess Pat" is far from uproarl
| Gus. Doubtless, Mr.. Herbert and Mr.
| Blossom never wanted 1t to be. 1t is onl,
unfortunate that the words are not quit
diverting enough to let the. music carr!
| the whole piece to triumphant success
| AS il stands, It is a pleasurable enter
| tainment for those who have taste enougl
| to like Mr. Herbert.