Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-19
CHE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER"
FOR THREE: PERFORMANCES

Oscar strauss comic opera. The
Chocolate Soldier which comes to the
Academy OF Music Friday and Satur-
day, with saturday mntincc Is one OF
the few examples OF a light opera with
thoroughly humorous and consistent
story BASED on George Bernard
Shaw's Arms and tho Man" the action
Of the opera takes place in Bulgaria.
Tho Nrst act discloscs all the service
able men In n village AT tho front en-
gagged in fierce conflict with the Ser
bians.
The three women OF Colonel Popoff' 3
household arc bcwailiuS the lack OF
men. when there appears at the win
dow OF Nadinas boudOir the mud
stained figure OF a Serbian soldier.
while sounds OF firing and the voices
OF excited men arc heard outside.
Nadina Is alarmed, but fear soon gives
way 10 interest. and when soldiers
come to scarch for the Serbian, she
hides him. But she is unable TO hide
him away from her mother and cousin.
who share with her the task of guard
Ing him while asleep.
Nadina has nicknaIucd him in scorn
the chocolate soldier on his frank con-
fcssion that he prefers chocolate drops
in his cartridge case TO bullets. AS
70 Is necessary for him to leave the
house I'm tho morning In disguise, he
is provided with an old coat OF the
coloncrs, and each OF the ladies con-
trives to put into a pocket a portrait
Of hGrSelf with an appropriate inscrip-
ton.
The second act openS with the return
cf tho village warriors. Major AleXius,
Nadinas tlancc. has become Il hero on
account OF winning victory by maxi
Ing fierce charge on runaway horse
TO the Serbian battery, whose gunncrs
hnd been served with the wrong am
o,,I 10 n
charge. Nadina knows that her glori-
ncation of the heroic Alexius is a hol-
low prctcnse. and that she is attracted
by the chocolate soldier" who later
tells her the true facts OF the major 8
heroic charge. However, she Is pre-
pairing for the wedding with Alexius
as previously arranged, when the lat
ter learns OF the chocolates soldiers
former meeting with Nadina, and
breaks off the marriage. lie finds con-
ISOLATION with the cousin. leaving Ma
dina and her Chocolate soldier" to tho
happy ending required of light opera
stories.
is JOY forever. The main waltz
music to My Hero is retained
throughout the score. There are over
twenty exquisite numbers. which in
cludc besides Come, Come My Hero
such gems as The Letter Song" Sym
pathy." The Tale of Coat" There
Never Was Such n Lover" calling
ia Love-" THAT Would BE Lovely
What Would We DO Without Man."
The Chocolate Soldier Man"
The opera will be presented by the
famous Whitney Opera Company, and
the usual high standard of excellence
is said to he maintained in this sea-
sons organization. Several Of the
original principals are again with the
company. which Includes Tcna Rasband.
ia the prima donna role OF Nadina,
which she sang last season. and who
for two previous seasons was a mem
her OF Oscar IIammcrstcin's London
grand opera company; Andrew Zig
ginson, lately from Australia. where
he sang the title role In "Thc Choco-
late Soldier" for six months; George
Tallman as Major AIexius, who sang
tho Same role with the original New