Life — January 16, 1902 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

48 liest character—so unselfish and devoted,— always made me think of Uncle Bill someway ; don't you thiak so, all indicated in the music, you know. You'll see when you get to it. Fanny,—— There, we can’t talk any more! (Overture begins, Both ladies settle back in their seats with sighs of rapture.) 1. Faxxy: I'll manage to tell you some- thing once in a while, Herbert. You didn’t have achance to read much, but I guess it will come to you as you goalong. Ju (iu an ecstatic Herbert) Hear whisper across ‘There's the “ Meistersinger " mo it? Jutta (also whispering I knew it in a minute! “* Banner.” Faxsy: Yes—no—didn’t the ‘* Assem- bly" come first? 1 think that’s the “ As sembly JuLta (decidedly): No, dear, 1 don't think so. Dou't you remember the way those two nots — Hennent (growing uneasy): Say, what does it matter, anyway, whether it's the Banner or the Assembly or the—House of Representatives? I can’t hear the music if, you go on this way JULIA (penitently) o, We mustn't. Fanny! ‘ Waking Love Faxxy: Yes—sh! (They continue to telegraph to each other their recognition of the various themes by complacent nods and smiles. Herbert wears an expression of solicitude ) x¥: Herbert, what makes you frown Yes—glorious ! And that's the of course not! Henpent (pensicely) : I didn’t know it. suppose. me. Fanny (suspiciously) : to you? Herpert: I don't know. It. thing. You said it would. Fansy (sighing): I'm afraid you're hope- less ! Herpent (humbly): I'm doing the best I Maybe I shall get on better when we come to the real thing. I never did care much for the--what-you-call-'em—volun- tary. There, the curtain is going up now. What did I tell you? Now they're playing ! That thing's got atune to it—regular psalm- tune. I say— Faxxy: Herbert, hush! I want you to listen to the orchestra. This is what I was trying to explain to you,—about the motifs, Julia! ‘ Waking Love"! Jui: Yes! Faxyy: Don't you see, Herbert? You can tell exactly what Sir Walter is thinking about by the music! Was I frowning? Iv’s the Wagner face, I I'm only waiting for It to come to For what to come Some- can. * LUPE Hennert: What he's thinking about? Pshaw! Anybody could tell that by the y he acts, Just look at him! IlTe's smitten with that girl in pink in the front I don't need any music to tell me But see how exquisitely the music expresses his emotions! It seems to understand them even better than he does himself! 1 wt (ith sarcasm): Mardly pos- sible, L should think. Why doesn't he leave it all to the music, then, if it knows somuch? I don't see any use in his acting at all. O (velenting), 1 dare say it’s all right. I shall catch the idea preseatly. What did you say this motif was—Making love Faxxy: Not‘ Making Love,” “ Waking Love.” But we're long past that now, This is * Love Confessed,” I think ; or ‘‘Impa- tient Ardor,"—I'm not sure which. Never mind—sh! (Quiet reigns.) IT. Herbert (at the Chorus of Apprentices, with animation): Say, that’s pretty! What d'ye call it? Regular ‘‘rag-time "! Fayxy: Herbert! That's the “Crown.” It means the crown of flowers that was given to the apprentices when they became Mastersingers. It comes in every time they — Jvttr: Doesn't sound a bit like Wag- ner, does it? Hennert: Not a bit. It's first-rate! Pity Wagner didn't know enough to hold on to a good thing wnen he'd got it. ‘The tunes don't stay put long enough for a fel- low to get ‘em into his head. Fayxy: Sh! Julia! Herbert, and grasping Julia's arm concul- sively.) Ilernent (sympathetical isit? A pin? Fs: The “St. John” motif? Jutta: Isn't it heavenly? Herbert, do listen! It comes in eight times—no, six— T never can remember those tables exactly. But you must recognize it the next time you hear it! Hersert (frowning deeply): Don't talk to me! (Quiet again. ally relaxes.) Juut Tlerbert, don't fidget so! Heesent: I'm not fidgeting! Say, Julia, does the music tell you what old Dodge was thinking about when he let his wife wear that curious thing on her head? Over there, see? Jun Where? (reaching across Ouch! What Vill try. Herbert's attention gradu- Oh—(frigidly) Her- bert, you're scoffing! other thing! Hensert: Well, you said the musictold you what people were thinking about—and I just woudered-— (He subsides until the end of the act) Fanny (as the curtain falls): Isn't it perfectly del 2 Such charm! Such an atmosphere! Don't you think so, Her- bert? Hennent (earnestly): Yes, very,—very indeed ! ing of atmosphere. rather warm, isn’t it? If you don’t mind, I'll just step out and get a breath of-— Lapins (dismayedj: But we were just going to tell you some more— H ERT (hastily) = of course you to. When I come back, you know, (Exit Herbert. He comes back just as the curtain rises.) I won't tell you an- But—speal IV. Hernent (taking his seat and whispering cheerfully): Well, girls, what motif is on now? Anything 1 ought to know Justa (coldly): You ought to know sev- eral things, but you don’t. I'm just going to let you alone, and let you enjoy it your own way fora while. I'm not going to tell you a single thing. That's Magdalena, the servant, you know ; it's so funny after- ward whet Fanxy: Sh! (Ilerbert, left to enjoy it in his own way, proceeds to do so. An expression of deep peace takes the place of the "* Wagner face.” His breathing becomes suspicious.) Fayxy (suddenly): Herbert! Menpent (loudly: What? again) Well, you scared me. Faxxy: You were asleep! Ilennert 0, I wasn’t! Atleast, if I was, I haven't missed anything. Old hs was sitting there talking to himself just like that when I last saw him, and he hasn't got through yet. Bet you he's been asleep too! Jvita: He's been singing the most de- lightfal monologue,—full of “Impatient Ardor"—— Hensert (recklessly): Talking in his sleep! Full of—what, did you say? I could make upagood motif for that myself! Call it—— Jutta: You're just making fun of every- thing! I don't believe you appreciate it one bit! Hervert (earnestly): Yes, I do; the trouble is, I appreciate it so much I can't enjoy it. Really, girls (ith pathos), you must make allowances for a tired man of business! You don’t know how worn out a fellow is when he gets home from a hard day's work. And you ought to be fresh (chispering What is it? comicbooks.com