The sun., 1916-10-27
MOZARTOPERETTAS
GIVE REAL DELIGHT
"Basticn and Bastienne" and
"The ImpresariO" at the
Empire Theatre.
BURIED GEMS GLITTER
Forgotten Music Of Immortal
Master United With Comedy
Well Acted.

Albert Reiss. comedian and tenor. long
associated with h Metropolitan opera
House. has iaudable ambitions. lie
ardently desires to be an impresario-
not "a grand opera impresario. but per-
haps Ito adopt the style Of his produce
ton Of yesterday ar impresarini. He
would like to direct the fortunes OF
miniature opera. And so yesterday at
the Empire Theatre he gave perform
ances Of two act works of Mozart.
The operettas chosen were "Bastien
and Bastienne.' composed when Mozart
was 'renfant prodiGe." and the other.
THE 1mprcsario.' mad when he was
''ie jeune maitre." The former was
given in an English version by A. Mattu-
lath n the latter In one by II. Il.
Krehbiel. musical editor OF the Tribune.
The juvenile opera of the wonder child
was performed pretty much as II may
have been in Vienna in 1868. except
that II was greatly curtailed.
The other work. which had already in
ts infancy undergone surdry altcra-
tons, followed chiefly the version made
by L. Schneider abou fifty years ago
This introduced Mozart himself at the
period Of the composition of Die Eau
berfioete.'
Mr.. Krehbiel 60 largely modified even
this version that his Is practically n new
one. A very good and Electrically
practicable n II Is too. quite suited 10
present day representation in n small
auditorium. preserving the spirit and hui
NOR of the original and retaining the
beet of the numbers OF Mozart's score.
while also making one or two additions
from his other music.
shows Ills Genius 1T ~.
Yesterdays entertainments was de-
lightful in most respects and also filled
with interest for those to whom the
name OF Mozart has long meant JOY and
beauty. The music of "Bastien and
Bastienne." for instance. showed those
who perhaps had not studied the early
works OF Mozart that his fame as a
prodigy was justified. for such music
would be acclaimed with delight in our
day even though coming from n maturer
pen than that OF a twelve-year-o.d child.
The libret.o. old fashioned and speak
Ing he thought Of a bygone period.
proved to possess n primitive charm OF
its own. The little work was well lone
BY Mabel Garrison as Basttcnne. Mr..
Reiss as Bdstten. and David B!spham.
ebullient!y humorous, as ColuS. the
quack physician Of the idyl.
With the new version of Der Schau-
sp''A TIC tdse was even beIttT.
Its references to the airs Of prima
donnaa, the difficulties OF managers and
the general oppression Of composers
were enjoyable even to those to whom
the theatre Is more or less terra incog.
nita. while some OF them brought shou..
OF laughter from the Initiated Even the
operate artists in the audience laughed
when ~Schikdneder ~tB!spham) said, IAN
u~nengaged singer Is never 90 engaging
I "A = when aha IL not sOAr.y -, #,a., d
Me1OdfOus, Delicate. sincere.
The music disclosed the maturity Of
Mozart's powers in brilliant contrast &c
that OF the other little work. The over.
ture was played well and most of ths
vocal numbers were effectively sung. TIL.
trio for Mosdrt. ~Schikdneder and Mmr
Hoter called forth much applause, Will,
that for the composer and the two so,
pranos. in which the singers We'd will
each other in reaching for high notes
brought down the house.
The music throughout disclosed tht
true Mozartian character. G!elodious. ele
CANT, delicate, yet sincere IN feeling, anc
withal the product Of an unerring taste
The thoughtful listeners must have fel
that Mr.. Reiss's experiment justified 4
self in the restoration OF this senia
creation to our acquaintance.
The performance was excellent il
nearly all respects. Mr.. Bispham aga
showed himself a good actor as s III
kdneder, while Mabel Garrison as Mmc
Hofer and Lucy Gates at Frdu'ein u
~tch. the other soprano, discharged tnci
duties with credit. Mr.. Reiss a,te,
Nosdrt well. but there was room for + ,p
that the famous composer sang bette.
There was a competent orchestra an,
:he musical direction was In the hs nd
OF Sam Frankie. who is always harp,
when he Is bringing buried musical treas
ures to light and whose concerts Of oil,
music used to be OF sustained interest.