Marshall's Civic Band

"Mlle. Modiste," one of Herbert's greatest triumphs, opened at the Knickerbocker 
Theater on Christmas night, 1905.  It featured the waltz "Kiss Me Again" and 
starred Fritzi Scheff, who had been lured away from the Metropolitan 
Opera...."Mlle. Modiste" is set in Paris, where the fetching Fifi is employed in 
a hat shop.  She falls in love with Captain Etienne de Bouvray, but Etienne 
cannot marry outside his own aristocratic circle.  Heartbroken, Fifi pursues her 
ambition of becoming a great singer.  With financial help from a wealthy 
American, she develops into a famous prima donna under the assumed name of Mme. 
Bellini.  When she is invited to perform at the estate of Etienne's uncle, she 
wins the old Count completely with her singing.  The proud de Bouvray's can 
resist no longer and happily sanctions Fifi's marriage to Etienne. 
 
From: "A History Of Music in American Life, Vol. II" by Ronald L. Davis