Evening star., 1936-05-10

The operetta was based on an old
melodrama, Robert Macaire," and
relates the escapades of two vagabonds
in polite society. Those funny thieves
were played that May night in 1886
by Francis Wilson and William S.
Daboll, and later by most every prom
inent comic opera comedian.
It opens before the Lion dor Inn,
with the villagers making merry in
song, Around in a Whirl." Javotte,
maid to Erminie, enters with tidings
that the Marquis is bringing some dis
tinguished guests to the fair. The no.
bleman and his daughter. Erminie,
now enter, and she sings the charm
ing ballad, "Ah! When Love Is
Young!" 1t later develops that the
Marquis plans to bestow his daugh-
ter's hand upon the scion of another
noble house, whom Erminie has never
seen, instead of Eugene, her fathers
secretary, whom she loves. In a duet,
There Is a Sweet Remembrance Of
the Past" they pledge their affec-
tions anew. Following a chorus of SOL
diers, the Marquis sings a refrain,
Dull Is the Life of a Soldier in
Peace" followed by splendid chorus,
IAN for Glory!"
During the excitement two rogues
enter, Ravennes and Cadeaux, Their
Thieves Duet" is echoed by chorus.
"Downy Jailbirds of a Feather" After
Erminie has sung her Dream Song"
and she and the party of mobiles have
gone to her fathers chateau to pre-
pare for the approaching wedding, the
two vagabonds waylay Ernest De
BriSSac, her intended Suitor, and steal
his clothing and credentials. When
he escapes, the villains boldly de-
nounce him as the thief who has fol-
lowed them, and the first act ends
with the lucklesS Ernest in custody.
The second scene is in the pink
ball room at the chateau. Ravennes,
clad in the stolen attire of the young
vicomte, Ernest, presents himself at
| the chateau as the expected guest,
Cadeaux poses as his noble friend. En-
mimic is not at all pleased with her
suitor's appearance, or the turn Of
events. Eugene disconsolately sings,
THE Darkest Hour" and while the
guests hail the bride with Joy Attend
on Erminie," she voices that plaintive
air, Dear Mother, in Dreams I See
| Her"
pAULINE HALL sang this lovely
lullaby in "Erminie" many thou
sands of times in the ensuing years.
Hurdy-gurdies played it for years on
the streets of Washington and every
one whistled it. 1t will be recalled
that the number occurs in the famous
pink ball room scene. The propriety
Of introducing a lullaby in a ball
room has often been discussed.
Dear Mother" which Miss Hall
sang, is a splendid tribute TO this
Mothers day. The beautiful melody
holds secure place in the affections.
1t will always appeal to those tenderest
emotions-aS If the flowers of mem
ory flung their lovely scent across our
twilight hours. Do you recall the
words?
: Dear mother, in dreams I see her,
With lov'd face sweet and calm.
And hear her voice with love rejoice,
When nesting in her arm.
I think how she softly pressed me,
OF the tears in each glistening eye,
| AS her watch she'd keep, when rocked
to sleep
Her child with this lullaby"
1t seems that this musical gem ap-
peared originally in the companion
play to "Ermine," and when Jacobowski
combined his two manuscripts and
mixed the babies up" as it were, the
lullaby was found to be much too tune
ful number to be omitted. 1t simply
had to be stuck in somewhere and
the middle of the second act in the
pink ball room was the best setting
in the opera.
During the festivities at the chateau
the real Ernest arrives, dressed in the
clothes Of the thief, Ravennes, only
to be confronted and denounced by
that audacious scoundrel. The two
thieves, however, are such good fel.
lows that they all but succeed in rob-
bing the chateau before their real
identity becomes known. A song and
wh1stling chorus, What the Dickey
Bird Said" enlivens things here, and
gained countless encores for Francis
Wilson. With the trouble Strengthened,
love affairs run smoothly. Erminie is
allowed to wed Eugene and Ernest
wins her friend Cerise.
THE multitude of jewels of melody
in "Erminie" soon Travelled and
were heard everywhere in Washing
ton. They were not "highbrow," but
pleasing and rhythmical measures,
colorful and harmonious. If one NAV
pick a gem or two from a yeritable
mint OF them, selection would perhaps
turn to the lovely gavotte Join in
Pleasure" or perhaps the graceful
When Love Is Young" or to the Jolly
What the Dickey Bird Said" the rem
dition of which was always the signal
for loosening gales of laughter and in
siStent applause.
PlaygoerS of that day will recall
lovely Marion Manola-in the heydey
Of her youth, making her American
debut in light opera as Cerise. She
became one of the most popular light
opera stars of the gay COS" Agnes
Folsom added the charm of her pres
ence as the vivacious Javotte. Rose
Beaudet was shapely Capt. Delauney
and led her gallant company of Anna
IONS through intricate army move
ments.
After a time, during that long stay
OF "Erminie" at the Casino, Kitty
Cheatham succeeded Miss Manola as
Cerise, Marie Jansen was the new ia
Vote and Louise Sylvester was the
Princess. Sylvia Gerrish, Eva Daven-
port, Isabelle Urquhart, George Den
men, Fannie Rice and May Duryea
were also present on that stage, with
many other beautiful women of all
sorts, from half pints up. So brief Is
human glory, however, that even their
names are scarcely known to present.
day audiences-and yet they were
toasts Of the town in May. 1886.