Victor Herbert's name has been synonymous with the highest achievements in the light opera field for so many years that any new work from his pen is sure of a delighted audience. In much the same way Mr. Blossom has provided such adequate vehicles for the presentation of Mr. Herbert's music that the team of Herbert and Blossom may be compared with reason to that of Gilbert and Sullivan.

In "Eileen," formerly "Hearts of Erin," Mr. Herbert is in his very happiest musical vein, the love themes being handled with exquisite melodies, the "ensemble" music being particularly vivacious and stirring, and a new triumph for the composer appearing in his patriotic songs, the dash, rhythm, and swing of which brought repeated encores from an audience whose applause was induced rather by a spontaneous appreciation of the score than by any duty as descendants of Erin's Isle--which element does not characterize Boston audiences (?)--to commend the spirit of the songs. Perhaps Mr. Blossom has not constructed so definite a plot as is his custom, but his book, which deals with the adventures of Berry O'Day in an attempt to place Ireland on an equality basis with all nations of the world, provides a romantic theme par excellence.

Inasmuch as the music is quite decidedly above the vocal capacities of the usual run of musical comedy stars the composers are to be congratulated in securing a man of Mr. Vernon Stiles ability to present their offering. His voice is rich, powerful, and full of the lyrical emotion so essential in a romantic Irish hero. Others in the cast, notably Scott Welsh, Olga Roller, and Grace Breen, also have excellent voices.

The beauty of the music at times haunting and again vigorously inspiring, the success of the actors in creating the lively spirit of the book: the effective settings; the occasional bits of real and homely Irish humor; and the excellence of the singing voices combine to make "Eileen" so delightfully worth-while that a comparison of it with one of the popular musical comedies is quite as ridiculous as a comparison of the compositions of MacDowell and Berlin. K. P. C. '17.