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VOL. XLVII. No. 1 0 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave., New York, September 5,1908.
CHAS. K. HARRIS RETIRES FROM AMERICAN MUSIC STORES.
The Increasing Demands of His Business Compel This Step Much to the Regret of All Members
of the Organization.
AL the weekly meeting of the board of direc-
tors of the American Music Stores, held on Tues-
day last, Chas. K. Harris, vice-president of the
concern, tendered his resignation, thereby sever-
ing his connection with this company, with
which he has been closely identified since its in-
ception. A vote of thanks was tendered to the
retiring officer for his loyalty and support in the
past, and this was placed on the minutes of the
corporation.
Subsequently, Chas. K. Harris was kind enough
to grant an interview to The Review, in which
he gave his reasons for his defection from the
American Stores. "I am anxious," said Mr.
Harris, "that no misconception should go abroad
in this matter. I have long felt that my eggs
should be kept in one basket, and this feeling has
been brought home to me with greater force
during the past few weeks. You see, my pub-
lishing business has expanded recently to such
an extent that I was beginning to discover that
outside interests were seriously interfering with
the routine work of my office.
"Personally, aS you are aware, I am a lone
mariner, inasmuch as I alone conduct the busi-
ness of my publishing concern. Please do not
think that I am underrating the splendid serv-
ices of my manager, Meyer Cohen, but of course,
there are a hundred and one details which I
alone can attend to, and which necessarily keep,
or should keep, me in my office during the busi-
ness day. In this I differ from my good friends,
the Witmarks, who are fortunate in having three
active members of the firm to rely on, each
equally important and each with every phase of
the business at his finger tips.
"Under these circumstances, I was beginning
to discover that I could not do two things at
once and do them well, so I perforce decided that
it would be in my best interests to resign from
the American Stores.
"That I did so with the greatest regret you
may better appreciate when I tell you that by
sheer hard work we nurtured the 'baby' into a
fine growing child, and to-day I believe that the
American Stores are entering on an era of pros-
perity which will repay everyone connected with
it. Again, I greatly regret leaving my asso-
ciates in the enterprise, for whom I entertain
and always will entertain, for that matter, a
sincere regard. Never did men work together
in such harmony and with such a spirit of un-
selfish devotion to a common cause. I leave the
American Music Stores with the satisfaction of
knowing that I contributed my quota to its suc-
cess, and I feel confident that under the present
management this success will be continued."
Mr. Harris spoke with the greatest force and
sincerity, and obviously felt keenly leaving his
erstwhile associates.
Leo Peist declined to speak of the future
policy of the American Stores, referring The Re-
view to Isidor Witmark. "You may quote me
saying, however," he said, "that in Charlie
Harris we have lost a loyal worker and a prince
of good fellows. In spite of his large publishing
interests, during the entire existence of the
American Stores, he has never missed a single
meeting."
Isidor Witmark, who appeared in the best of
spirits (having just returned from a two weeks'
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
production is there, and both are so wonderful,
H> exquisite, so artistic, that the hook is almost
forgiven, if not entirely forgotten.
The Interstate Amusement Co., with their
usual lavishness, have spent untold money on
the production, with the result that "Algeria"—
with but one exception, in which a number of
pale lavender butterflies appear in a ballet of
harlequins and pierrots—is the most tasteful and
certainly the most extravagant production which
has been seen on Broadway in recent years,
And the music—-the tuneful, captivating, sen-
suous music. Power of description fails in at-
tempting to give even the remotest idea of its
beauty. "Twilight in Barakeesh" is a revela-
tion in choral harmony, while "Love is Like a
Cigarette" and "Rose of the World" will be sung
and resting everywhere. Then there is a waltz
song, a strangely beautiful, dreamy effort en-
titled "Ask Her While the Band Plays," which
lingers in the mind and hourly becomes more
fascinating.
The music trade will gather from the above
that they have a new opera to exploit, which
should be a gold mine to them. There is not
a number in "Algeria" that will not be called
for, for it is seldom indeed that music of this
high grade has the selling qualities which we
prophesy for it. Chas. K. Harris, who publishes
the score, is to be cordially congratulated, for
no more beautiful music has been published
since the days of Sir Arthur Sullivan.
T H E MAN ON THE STREET.
('HAS. K. HAKIIIS.
vacation in Canada), said: "The policy of the
American Music Stores will remain unchanged.
We are all sorry to lose Chas. K. Harris, but
just now we require more *of his time than he
can well afford to give. But things will go on
just the same. In the near future I may have
more to say upon the subject."
SUPERB PRODUCTION OF "ALGERIA"
The New Comic Opera by Victor Herbert and
Glen Macdonough, Published by Chas. K.
Harris, Is a Riot of Color, and Melody Says
the "Man on the Street."
Amid a riot of Oriental coloring and a feast of
exquisite music, "Algeria" received its New
York premiere on Monday night at the Broadway
Theater. The latest Victor Herbert opera will
be the musical event of the season, for the ex-
cellent reason that such melody cannot fail to
carry even the poor libretto on the high tide of
success. Never in the writer's experience has a
composer been so terribly handicapped by a
book as has Victor Herbert in "Algeria." Like
an "Qld man of the sea," the dismal, pointless
lines of that usually brilliant writer, Glen Mac-
donough, seemed to clutch at the throat of each
musical number, only to be thrown off, before the
first bars of each successive song or ensemble
had reached the delighted ears of the audience.
We have said that "Algeria" will be a success.
The book can be mended, tinkered, if needs be,
real comedians can be engaged—will be, we most
earnestly hope—but the music is there, and the
PREMIERE OF "PRINCE HUMBUG."
(Special lo Tlie Kevlew.)
Springfield, Mass., August 31, 1908.
"Prince Humbug," a musical comedy, under
the management of Samuel E. Rork, received its
premiere at the Court Square Theater here last
night. The title of the vehicle tells the entire
plot.
Mr. Lalor, who is the star of the production,
sang "Stung" and "Goo Googy-oo," with Flor-
ence Morrison. Marion Garson is the prima
donna. There are fifteen musical numbers.
Leona Stevens heads the chorus in "Little Old
Man of the Sea." Mr. Lalor was called before
the curtain at the end of the first act. The book
is by Mark Swan. Music byCarl Hoschna. Pub-
lished bv M. Witmark & Sons.
NEW MUSICAL PLAY PRODUCED.
(Special t-> Tlie Iteview.)
Milwaukee, Wis., August 29, 1908.
A new musical play, "A Girl at the Helm," was
produced here to-night for the first time at the
Alhambra Theater, by Mort H. Singer, with the
La S'alle Theater Stock Co. and Cecil Lean and
Florence Holbrook in the leading roles.
The book of the new play is by Robert B.
Smith, music by Raymond Hubbell, published
by Chas. K. Harris.
Of the twenty-three theatrical productions
that ran over 100 nights in New York last sea-
son, thirteen were "musical." One would have
supposed the preponderance to be even larger
than that quoted.