Evening star., 1926-04-25

ROLLIN BOND. director of The
Washingtonians, has received so
many inquiries as to the story Of La
Mascotte," the brilliant light opera
by Edmund Audran, which this com
munity opera group nf singers will
present at Central High May A. ; and
9, that the following is printed as a
short synopsis of the action and
scenes OF this opera. Audran'S musi-
cal score ranks with the highest OF
light opera compositions and the
libretto is filled with comedy charac.
terS and humorous situations from
beginning TO end. The requirements
I'm costumes and scenery are eXpen'
SiVe. A cast, chorus and ballet, quite
up TO the standards Of professional
thespianS, are announced in this pro.
duCtion. Mr.. Bond claims that the
unusual demands made upon the
singing principals have caused this
opera to he heard SO seldom in pro
fassional ranks. Reserved seats at
community prices. will be obtaina BILE
beginning May | at the Stieff Piano
warerooms. 1340 G street northwest
The scene of the opera La Mas.
cote" is laid in Piombino. Italy in the
fifteenth century. The stage repre-
Eents a farm when the peasan ants are
celebrating the vintage festival.
Rocco, the farmer. instead of joining
the pleasures. sits moodily apart. In
SeplY to the pea SAINTS, who ask the
reason. he declares that II is on &C:
count of his ill-luck. which turns all
1is efforts to disadvantage. Pippo:
Slis shepherd. whom he had sent to
3is brother for aid in his misfortunes.
p'eturnS. bringing only a basket Of
Eggs and a letter, to the disgust of
Rocco with the information that his
brother has sent. also, his turkey
Reeper, Bettina. who will bring good
fortune to his house. she being "A
mascot. on hearth-angel, whose pres.
eenCe makes home happy and pros
hperous. FippO gives a glowing ac-
Scount of Bettina's 8 charms and accom-
hlishments, which Rocco laughs at;
End when Bettina arrives. shortly
HfterWards. she meets with "a cold
fwelcome from him and an order to
b'tturn whence she came. While she
ps preparing to leave. the scene Is
Snterrupted by the arrival OF a hunt
Sng party, consisting of Prince Lo
benzO. his daughter, Prince Frederic
kand members of the court, who STOP
pat the farm for rest and refreshmenI
efter the chase. The prince, who
deems himself one of the unluckN
Jones. takes notice of Bettina, and by
kCCident learns that she is the pos
SCISSOR of peculiar virtues. and deter
pnines to take her to his court anC
bnake use of her gifts for his owr
eadvantage. Rocco appeals from his
kdecisiCn, but the prince pacifes hin
with the promise to make him court
chamberlain with large powers and
pemoluments. He then ennobleS Bet
ffina. as Countess of Panada. and. with
Hhese added to the party. turns gayly
homeward, leaving Pippo behind. tC
Shis great disgust and the sorrow OF
SBettina
In the second act we find the cha:'
facters at the grand ducal palace al
kPiombino. A grand fete is to bt
kRiven in honor of the marriage oi
Fiametta. the princes daughter, t.
Irederic, the crown prince of Pisa
sBettina is in great favor at the court
and is believed to be the Kings ia
Norite. while she. weary OF the splen
dor that surrounds her. pines for hel
free peasant life and for her absent
7oVer, Pippo. Among the other weddins
entertainments IS to be "a display giver
sby a company of actors and dancers
the principal one of which, under thu
name of Saltarelle, turns out to b,
Pippo in disguise. The lovers meet