The Washington times., 1915-04-27
NATIONAL.

Promise of an entire realization of
the musical and acting possibilities
of a long list of melodious and enter
tdaining light operas-a piquant rel
ish that quickened to sharpness the
amusement appetite of one OF the
biggest gatherings the National
Theater has housed this season-was
given last night by the Aborn Opera
Company in the sincerity and com
pleteness with which they presented
THE Chocolate Soldier" as the inaug-
ural feature Of their annual spring
and summer season.
In last nights production the mem
bers of the Aborn organization appeared
to fully grasp the musical and dramatic
ideas of one of the most tuneful and
subtle Of comedies set to song, and to In
terpret that idea In the best sort OF
way, with the accompaniments OF
costumes and scenic investiture that
please the eye while the music, humor
and odd situations are tickling the
other senses.
The Inauguration of an Aborn sea :
son in Washington Is rather more or
on event of the 0an same sor Of Of thns
| other organization. for the reason
that this city might be considered
one Of the Aborns homes and the
people who are included in the ros,
| ter Of their companies are mostly ola
| friends. The friendship In which they
are held Is not only based upon their
personal attractiveness. orr attain =
| ments, but artistic ability that has
been proved season after season.
| In last nights performance while Ida
Brooks Hunt and Charles II. Bowers
have the roles which the authors in.
| tended to be the leads, the fact that
Edith Bradford. James Russell Powell
| 1Lr MrIl onf
George O'Donnell were in the cast gave
1t a more socialistic aspect than the
| aristocracy of stardom, leading mer
| and women. etc, of the stage provides
as good as the master In the estimation
| Of the audierce--for while the servan
may serve this week, next week sht
| will be the heroine.
None of this must be permitted tt
detract one whit from the fact that Id;
| Brooks Hunt made the part OF Nadin;
just what the authors and composer in
tended 1t should be. Her voice Is higl
soprano with the great range and fex
ibility demanded by the exacting scor'
Oscar Strauss provided for his heroine
as oxemplified in the great Hero" SOM
which runs through the piece and whicl
serves as a tremendous tonal finale E
the second act. Besides having a voice
Miss Brooks can act-a rather unusua
thing in an operatic prima> donna.
Charles Bowers as Bumerl. tn
philosophic chocolate soldier, SCENE
to understand exactly what he had {
do-and did It. He is an actor of abili
ty, and singer with a voice that
pleasing and sympathetic.
Edith Bradford, whom washington
has thought about realized all the re
judgements of operate excellence, 1
even more vivacious and melodious tina
she has ever been. Miss Bradford give
a picture Of svelte grace in the part o
Mascha. the few singing opportunitie
OF which she made important and tn
, many acting chances she seized Wit
, her accustomed enthusiasm.
Mildred Rogers. who had the part o
, Aurelia with the original productio
Of the opera. gave the sort of perform
ance which helped give The Chocolat
Soldier" the big reputation It enjoys
Miss Rogers has a voice Of depth an
richness which she uses with great skill
,i O'Donnen as Popoff. McDonough a
Alexis. and James Russell Powell !
: the broad comedy part Of Massakrof
, were thoroughly UP to the requirement
Of their parts, lending bit of their ow
individuality as we'll as giving the kin
Of performance which left no regret
when the original in the characters va
e recalled. GARDNER MACK.