The evening world., 1919-02-01
THE VagabOnd,
ByLerOur,Mdk
Good Impression
BV SViDester Rauiing.

bohhgf "A lgIlI ASh
acts, by Xavier Leroux, the
book by Jean Richepln, sung ir
French. was presented last night foi
the first time In New York az tn,
Lexington Theatre by tho Chicago
Opera Company. II Is only "A week
or so ago that Ia Refine Fiametto,'
by the same composer. got n irst
American hearing Mt the Metropoli-
tan Opera House and found scant
favor. There is wide gulf between
tho two works in artistic merit.
IT'S a simple tnle. The pennliess
tramp, young and healthy with the
world his football, tarries in French
village TO do some harvesting. Thd
belle Of the country side. besOught in
marriage by middle aged peasant
farmer. falls in love with him and
suocumbs TO his wooing. The Junker
owner, pleased with the hobo's work
and skill, tries to persuade him 20
stay. II is useless The wandcriust
drives him on. lie deserts the girl
and the middle-aged farmer marries
her and acknowledges the paternity
OF the son. whose real father is the
Nagabond. Twenty years. or more.
pass. Misfortune has fallen upon tho
couple. Tho old peasant is crippled.
The boy and the Junker's daughter
have fallen in love. Anathcma! cries
the Junkcr. and the boy becomes a
drunken sot. Then reappears the
Nagabond. Delirious with Joy to find
a son, nc reclaims him, makes peace
with the boys mother and wins the
consent OF the Junker to the mar
riago. The old peasant. dying. be-
sceches the Vagabond to stay on and
marry his soon-t be widow. Tho
Junkcr backs the wish. But no.
The wanderlust still survives. and
while the Waits arr singing and the
church bells are ringing the dawn OF
another Christmas, he takes up his
pack and steals away through tho
snow, onco moro TO plunge into tho
abyss of the unknown.
II would be trnvesty on truth 20
say that Mr.. IerouX's music Is grcni.
But II In sane. wholesome, graph
cally descriptive OF the action, pleas
Ing, sometimes absorbing, so much
so, to it's credit, that often 1t leaves
one unconscious OF IL. 40 closely
welded II liz TO the action. The
orchestra, before each not, prefigurcs
the development The soliloquies, the
conversations, the pathos and the
subtle tragedy OF the story are anticl.
patcd. The themes, the motives, re-
cur constantly. The atmosphere Is
created beforehand and Is maintained
throughout.
Alfred Maguenat established q new
place for himself by his impersona-
tion OF the Nagnbond. An impressive
bit OF character acting he disclosed
to us To be remembered always to
his credit. Yvonno Calls Toinette
also compelled respect. 4 woman
who can compass the aristocrati9
Juliet and tho not to be- co sidered
in polite society peasant girl with
equal significance must make one
pause. Georges Baklanorf Ia Fran
co.'s, the husband of Toinette, and
Gustave Huherdcau az Muitre Pierre.
the oyerbearing landlord. gave such
splendidly characteristic impersona.
tions as they have led us 30 expect
acterS. Octave Qua. who was The
SON. Toinet, also did some praise
worthy acting, ana .Myrna ShHrlow.
a. the landlords daughter; Maria
Claessens. as the Innkeeper and Con-
stant!n Nicolay ana Desire Defrere as
hnbltues OF the tavern were well In
the picture. All Of them sang well.
Louis Hasselmnns, unfamiliar tn
us, was the conductor. His excess ~
zeal led him 10 permit the orchestra
TO play too loudly, sometimes to the
discontinue OF the singers and to
the annoyance OF the auditors,
Carlo Hackett. an American tenor,
who formerly was known as Charles,
hut no matter, made an impressive
New York debut at tho Metropolitan
Opera House last night hs Almavivg
in ROsslni's "Thc Barber OF Seville"
His success was unmlstakablc His
voice has the range and tho flexibil-
ity essential TO the part. II Is light.
but true. The great audience rose
to him after the serenade and he was
called before the curtain, alone. half
"A dozen times or more. He Is not a
great actor. but he is young and
handsome.
The New York debut Of the Italian
dramatic tenor, Alessandro Dole. and
tho first Appearances OF the season OF
Amclita CALI Curci. Anna Fitziu and
Riccardo Stracciari. will be among
the features OF the Chicago Grand
Opera Company's second week at the
Lexington Theatre. Monday night
Mascagnis "lsabeau," with Anna
FitZiu. will be given. Tuesday night,
Donizotti's LINDA di Chamounix,"
with Galli-Curcl; "Wednesday night.
"Pcllcas," with Mary Garden: Thurs
day night. "Manon," with Yvonne
Call ami Charles Fontaine: Friday
night, Lucia" with Mime. Call
| Curci; Saturday matinee, "Gismon-
da," with Miss Garden, and Satur-
Gay night, "Madama Buttcrny," with
| Tamaki MiurL nt popular prices. The
FIRST OF the "Cdmpanini concerts" at
! Me Hlppodrome will ba given to-
morrow night, with the principal
stars and orchestra OF the Chicago
! organization.
Robin Hood" with an all star
cast, will be revived by the Society
Of American singers now In it's sixth
month, at the Park Theatre, on Mon
day night. The artists for this, the
most popular opera 'made In Amer.