Bateman French Opera: La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein

“Another large audience greeted ‘The Grand Duchess’ at the theatre last evening. There was some uncertainty about the appearance of Mlle. Tostée, who had been indisposed for a day or two, and this doubtless prevented many from attending. There was not, therefore, the usual crush of people.

We are happy to say that Mlle. Tostée seems to have perfectly recovered, and sang with her usual grace and effect. ‘The Grand Duchess’ is growing daily in popular favor, and is on the high road to a permanent place in the affections of New Yorkers. The manner in which the opera is placed on the stage deserves commendation, and there is a marked attention to those little details which are so often overlooked, both in the singing and acting, that is very grateful to people of taste. The usual encores were given to ‘Dites lui’ and ‘Voici le saber de mon Père’ and at the end of the second act Mlle. Tostée was twice recalled.

We have heard it stated on very good authority that ‘The Grand Duchess,’ as produced under Mr. Bateman’s management, need not fear comparison with the original representation in Paris. This we believe, and do not doubt that if it were thought desirable to confine the French company to this opera alone Mr. Bateman could easily run it through the winter. We hope, however, that before the season closes we shall have the pleasure of hearing several of the light and sparkling operas that have lately delighted Paris and London, and in which this excellent company are so well fitted to appear.”

“Mlle Tostée reappeared Tuesday evening in the Grande-Duchesse, and her reappearance was a triumph. The excellent artist has never brought such inspiration to the interpretation of her role. The whole performance felt the effects of this: it’s the best of the season up till now. It must be hoped that colds will spare Mlle Tostée hereafter, and that her throat will harden itself against our horrid climate.”

“The audience at the French Theatre last night was were somewhat startled and grieved at the sudden indisposition of their favorite, Mlle. Tostee. She fainted in the beginning of the first act, in the air “Ah! Que j’aime les militaries,” and was carried off the stage. There was but little confusion, the admirable training of the company preventing a ‘scene.’ Mlle. De Felcourt, who played Wanda, undertook to act as substitute for Mlle. Tostée, as there was no one else available in the emergency. The opera passed off very satisfactorily, with the exception of the principal role, which, of course, could not be rendered well at a moment’s notice.”

(Review of 10/17 performance) “Mlle. TOSTEE attempted to resume her part in the Grand Duchess last evening, but had sung only a few lines of the J’aime les Militaires when she fainted and had to relinquish it.  Mlle. ARMAND, who has sung the part once or twice, was also ill, and Mlle. DE FELCOURT promptly took it, and the character of Wanda was given to one of the lighter singers of the company. Mlle. DE FELCOURT, although unfamiliar with the music, and compelled to give it score in hand, manages to imitate some of Mlle. TOSTEE’S merry wickedness of expression, and gives more than a reader’s interest to the performances. The rest of the cast is unchanged, and even this alteration is but momentary. Mlle. TOSTEE is recovering, we believe, and will most likely resume her original rôle on Saturday. The audience was quite large and enthusiastic in spite of the mishap.”

“The ‘Grand Duchess’ was again sung at the French Theater last evening, before an audience that filled the house in every part. It was a very brilliant performance, and it was welcomed with commensurate enthusiasm. That, however, was a matter of course. The sparkling music, the mischievous spirit of the story, the vivacity of the acting—all tend to charm the appreciative mind. It is the felicity of this opera that it is replete with the most dashing melodies, and that it embodies the very soul of mirth. And that—to a people naturally overworked and careworn—make it especially delightful. It was given last night with the usual cast, except that Mlle. De Felcourt personated both the Grand Duchess and Wanda. How sparkling she is in the latter part many spectators of the opera know already; and many persons last evening appreciated her charming grace and spirit in the former. She both acted and sung exceedingly well. Her rendering of the song of ‘Le Sabre de mon Pere’ was cordially encored, as also was her singing of ‘Dites Lui,’ the latter being particularly fine, in appreciation of sentiment and delicacy of execution. Mlle. Tostee, we judge, was ill. At any rate, she did not appear. No explanation was made, and none, perhaps, was needed. The lady seems to be blessed with a singular facility for illness. It would, perhaps, be well if Mlle. De Felcourt would replace her altogether. We would not, of course, do the slightest injustice to Mlle. Tostee, who is wonderfully clever, both as an actress and a singer, but, really a certain uniformity is desirable. A new Grand Duchess every other evening scarcely satisfies expectation. Mlle. De Felcourt was enthusiastically applauded last night, and, after a little practice, we do not doubt she would fill the character of the Grand Duchess perfectly well. Her singing of the drinking song in the third act was particularly well received. In the singing of the other parts there was the usual merit. Prince Paul was played with consummate art. The ‘Grand Duchess,’ take it for all in all, is a great success. Mlle. De Felcourt was called out last night, and appeared before the curtain accompanied by Mr. Bateman, to both of whom the plaudits of the house were awarded.”  

“Thursday’s performance was marked by a troublesome incident, which nevertheless didn’t have disobliging consequences for the audience. Scarcely had Mlle Tostée entered onto the stage, barely had she intoned Ah! que j’aime les militaires than she fell unconscious between the arms of Puck and Boum. The singer had to be carried out and the curtain lowered. Ten miniutes passed, and the public was asking uneasily whether the performance would continue, when M. Bateman appeared and announced that Mlle de Felcourt very much wished to take on the role of the Grand Duchess.

That young lady, who had only been able to show herself to the audience in the thankless and disadvantageous role of Wanda, is destined, with what may be few rehearsals, to become the competitor and rival of Mlle Tostée; M. Bateman would do wisely to have her rehearse with care the role of the Grand Duchess. Mlle Felcourt’s voice has more largeness and brilliance than Mlle Tostée’s; may she have the time to delve into and blend into the character of the ruler of Gérolstein; may she accustom herself to this alliance or rather to the contrast between haughtiness and bold easiness of bearing that makes up the charm of the role; may she study the cancan and one or two pieces a little; may she above all take care of her voice production, and may her success, already very great Thursday evening, turn out to be the fashion. Mlle Felcourt sang the verses of Sabre and of Régiment in a way that made you believe she hadn’t done anything else in her life. In the third act, she took on the role of Wanda again, only to reappear in the fourth as the Grand Duchess; this power of possibilities and this facility in changing pace is not a trivial attainment, and one can say from henceforth that Mlle Felcourt brings together all the qualities necessary for sparkling in the first rank. The only thing lacking up till now has been the opportunity.

The other artists were admirable. M. Guffroy is more and more embodied in his role of Fritz, and M. Leduc (Prince Paul) deploys a very rare and very valued quality: a great superiority at being a grotesque [comic].” 

The public found Mlle Tostée again at the Théâtre-Francais Saturday evening, with her accustomed liveliness. They encored most of her numbers. For the first time, they also encored the verses of La Gazette de Hollande, to which the audience finally did justice. The whole work was carried off with unequalled spirit. Mlle Felcourt showed herself more and more congenial in her role of Wanda. . . .

            M. Bateman must be congratulated without reservation for the perseverance and skill that he brings to his enterprise. No one would have dared to dream, before him, of giving French performances every evening. M. Bateman undertakes it, and he will succeed: he has in his hands the best elements of success, and knows how to put them to work.”