The Washington herald., 1915-02-02
At the Theaters Last Night
BELASCO.
"The Lilac Domino"

"The Lilac Domino"
| The public is indebted to Herr Dippel
for one OF the most enjoyable evenings
Of the season at the Belasco Theater
last night. when he presented THE Lilac
Domino"
MusicaIly, this operetta of NJ. Cuvillier
has all the charm Of The Chocolate SOL
dier." With the rich Instrumentation
| which bespeaks the cleverest musician
| ship, 1t is one succession OF tuneful mel
odies, colorfuI and captivating. and the
voices OF the interpreting singers are
really exceptional in light opera today.
The book Is comical French farce of
| contemporary life OF ingenious contriv-
| ances and clever complications, Ameri-
canized by the indefatigable Smith broth
ers-Harry B. and Robert B.-the out
| lines of which serve as a fitting setting
| for the exquisite melodies.
Andre, Prosper, and Casimir, three gay
young Parisians shake dice to determine
which Of them shall marry a rich heiress
and save them all from bankruptcy.
Andre turns the fatal number. At the
ball where this happens. he falls in love
with a girl in q lilac domino--Georgine,
the daughter OF the rich Vicomte de
Brissac
Andre does not see her face and she
disappears, but when he is introduced to
her later, something reminds him Of
the girl in the lilac domino, and his
heart goes out to her. Georgine returns
his love, but just as everything is pro-
ceeding nicely, it Is unintentionally be-
trayed to Georgine that Andre cast dice
Tor her to get money to save himself
and friends. Naturally Georgine's pride
is terribly hurt. but love finds a way,
and she becomes Andres bride.
| NJ. Cuvillier was indeed. fortunate to
have his score interpreted last evening
by such an excellent cast of singers and
a string orchestra OF grand opera proper
tions. Eleanor Painter, in the role of
| Georgine, sang beautifully-and has quite
| as delightful a personality. The purity,
| 1exibillty, and precision OF her voice was
as pleasant to hear as the grace and
charm OF her youthful presence was ex-
hilarating.
Wilfred Douthitt, who sings opposite
Miss Painter in the part Of Andre. has
an equally beautiful voice-of much better
quality, indeed, than one is accustomed
to hearing outside of grand opera these
days. He made II Call You Back to Me-
particularly effective. Both of these pleas
| ing young people sang as II the music
had gone to their heads, and acted quite
as we'll, particularly at the finale of the
second act. which was glorious triumph
for Miss Painter.
Rene Detling is a charming ingenue,
with a clear forcefUl voice, who dances
with grace and spirit, while Jeanne Mau-
bourg lends atmosphere TO the French
setting of the pretty play. 4. Terrill and
Alice May made a spontaneous hit by
the hilarity of their dancing.
John Z. Hazard Robert O'Connor.
Harry Hermsen, James Harrod, and
George CurZon, are a quintette OF come
dams who seem to have acquired the
art of making people laugh in spite of
themselves. They provoked gales OF
laughter by their antics in the song
Ladies Day" and were compelled to re-
peat their dances almost to the point OF
exhaustion.
There has been a lavish expenditure
OF money in order to provide an enter
tainment that will delight. and We dis
cover the results of such a policy in
every feature OF the performance. The
settings by Kautsky and Rottonara, of
Vienna, are beautiful, and the chorus
consists of a host of dear. delightful
women and gay men. all breathing and
rejecting the sunshine OF life's morn
ing. and all possessing true singing
voices.
As such a gathering should be, they
are costumed radiantly at all times. In
the scene at the carnival at Nice there
are flying patterns OF rose and blue.
green and white, red and yellow. forming
and reforming like waves on the beach.
tossing one color to the crest and then
another.
The score is a veritable feast OF de-
licious melody. but II one were asked to
select a few particularly brilliant num-
bers The Lilac Domino" Where Love
Is Waiting" and What Is Done You
Never Can Undo" might be mentioned.
But one must see the charming operetta
to realize the great outlay of money.
energy, and brains which has been neces-
sary to perfect 1t. As you love music
go to the Belasco Theater this week and
enjoy a light opera treat that is rare in
Washington. You will find THE Lilac
Domino as captivating as a Strauss
waltz.