New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-12

Two men wrote the music Of Flora
Bella" and asterisks on the pro-
gramme mark where one left of and
the other began. The asterisks would
not be necessary. Neither Mr., Cuvll-
lier nor Mr.. Schwarzwald would have
20 be ashamed of the product Of the
other. for the music Of Flora Bella"
while unpretentious. Is workmanliAe
from beginning to end and generally
relodious. Even in the matter OF
waltzes the composers share the work.
The honor of writing the waltz was
apparently too great 70 be appor-
toned 70 one or the other, and there
fore Flora Bella" has two waltzes'
Both are first class.
Flora Bella" however. has some
thing more than its music 20 com
mend it. For a majority Of its length
Il is really al operetta not merely
musical comedy. It's book is distin-
guished throughout, or nearly
throughout. By no little grace IN the
writing. Still further, the piece Is eX-
cellently sung and competently acted
and II also has the advantage Of two
OF Joseph Urbans best little settings.
Flora Bella" will be success.
From this il must not be gathered
that Flora Bella" is the long -awaited
rerfcct o3eretta. L is far from that
IL has its shortcomings. but they are
unlikely 10 interfere greatly with its
prosperity. Musical pieces have been
endowed with greater defects and have
prospercd. so IL "a only reasonable 20
expect Flora Bella 20 be popular. Il
is az times rather slow Of movement
and the advantages Of its humor are
20 be found largely in the fact that u
docs not afr0nt the ear with the same
old gags. True. i does 20 so far as
20 mention housemaid's knee on one
occasion. But one can forgive this
lapse and the general mOnotony OF
the book out % sheer gratitude for
being spared the rest Of the antiques.
Flora Bella does not stray far
from the beaten path for its plot. Il
is based upon the well worn theory
that elderly men are cOnsecrated 20 a
life Of gayety and that there is moth
ing quite so amusing as a mans en-
countering his wife IN a celebrated
cafe One also meets the musical com
edy theory that the slightest facial
disguise, such as a palpably false nose,
IS sufficient 20 deceive ones immediate
family. This hackneyed material is
rather we'll handled. however, and the
dialogue never L. permitted 20 grow
cheap or coarse. IL is rather a pity, in
these circumstances. that the authors
could not have told less worn story.
Lima Abarbanell. who sppe.r rs 20 be
technically starred in the production.
sang and acted with ability and intelli-
gence. Muriel Hudson eifervesced ca
pably and constantly and Juliette Lippe
was statuesque Madame Something.
Lawrence Grossmith was sometimes
amusing and Charles Purcell sang we'll
in addition 10 looking as though he
might really have been a prince. And
then there was Adoiph Link. jumping
from THE Viewers % the musical
stage. who did character bit effective
ly. A whirdwind young woman, who
danced as a member OF the team Of
Grant and Wing. must also De mem
toned. but whether she is Miss Grant
or Miss Wing is unknown at this writ
ing.
Il is understood that Percy Waxman
is responsible for the lyrics, though he
was not so accredited on the pro-
gramme. What one heard Of them was
good. but one heard little. Then. too.
Richard Ordynskis skill a. a director
probably helped along considerably y
and perhaps there are a number or
others who should be mentioned. There
generally are, in the case Of a musical
production.