Bateman French Opera: La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein

[Both Duchess and Myrrha advertised for French Theatre for this day]

“The Grand Duchess, with her sabre, rollicking songs and brilliant array of followers, appears at the Théâtre Francais again to-night. Offenbach ought to be present some night to see how New Yorkers take his music and his jokes. The former scintillates like jewels on the brow of a ballroom belle, and the latter are delicately interwoven in the never tiresome dialogue. Mlle T. Tostée, who represents La Grande Duchesse, possesses to a rare extent all those qualities of quiet humor, exquisite grace and élan that are so effective in opera bouffe. . . . "

“Mlle. T. Tostée, who represents La Grande Duchesse, possesses to a rare extent all those qualities of quiet humor, exquisite grace and élan that are so effective in opéra bouffe…”

“As nearly all of the seats and boxes for the 'Duchess of Gerolstein' – to be given to-night at the French Theatre – were taken last evening, it is hardly necessary to say much in regard to this performance, by way of notifying our readers.  This amusing piece has taken the public by storm, and Mr. Bateman’s only trouble consists in the fact that he is unable to accommodate those who want to see so perfect a specimen of the French opera bouffe.  We have already said that there are objectionable features in the play, but it is an unquestionable and great advantage to our stage, that so fine a school of comic acting is presented through the enterprise of Mr. Bateman.  Alone and unaided, and against all matters of difficulties, he has succeeded in transplanting the most peculiar outgrowth of modern French drama, retaining its idiosyncrasies to perfection.  By and by he will give us a far more elevated style of representations in the same excellent.”

[Ristori is performing Myrrha in Brooklyn today; no advertisement of Grand Duchess, only an announcement]

Discusses a fictional account in which General Boum will make plans with [Horace] Greeley to go to Washington and talk to President Johnson.”

“The sparkling little opéra bouffe that introduced Offenbach to the American public a few nights ago has taken hold of the affections of New Yorkers, and continues to draw hundreds of admirers every night to the Théàtre Français. The merry, mischievous little Duchess, with the sabre de mon père, Fritz’s particular aversion; that unappreciative object of the merry, mischievous, &c. affection who has the bad taste to prefer a wild country girl to her; the great General Boum, of gunpowder smelling proclivities, who looks upon poor Fritz with an evil eye and blusters as much as if he had Dutch Gap or Fort Fisher on the brain; the diplomatic Baron Puck, whose ministerial abilities are pretty much of the same caliber as some of our own statesmen; the harmless Prince Paul, who is troubled with softening of the brain and the Gazette de Hollande, and the stately Baron Grog, with his inimitable bow, are as popular to-day in Gotham as any of Dickens’ characters. And the champagne style of music, the dresses, the chorus and orchestra are all excellent. We predict a long Black Crookish run for her ladyship.”

“As usual, the 'Grand Duchess' last night drew a crowded audience to the French Theatre, and, as usual, this unique combination of musical and dramatic comicalities was intensely enjoyed.  The long continued success of this piece is now assured, for every one must see it at least once, and it requires a long time to enable theatre-going New York to get within the narrow limits of the French Theatre.  The great misfortune about the matter is the success of ‘The Grand Duchess’ may delay the representation of some of the heroic plays whose names are down in Mr. Bateman’s programme for the winter.  One indication of the popularity of the opera now on the stage is afforded by the demand for the songs it contains, some of which have been selected and neatly printed.”

“Always, the immense success of La Grande Duchesse. The Herald dedicates articles to it from top to bottom, and advises Mr. Johnson and Mr. Greeley to dance a little cancan with Boum. It would be fortunate in effect if all political crises could be settled like that. If Mr. Johnson were of the stuff from which great men are made, he would make a cancan be danced out the windows of Congress, and he would accordingly be as applauded as the Grand Duchess is in taking away Boum’s plumed hat. But Mr. Johnson has legal and constitutional niceties that will deliver him over to his enemies, like Fritz’s naiveté delivers him to the Lord of Rocapic. Mr. Johnson, less strong than Puck or Grog, seems not to know that citizens hail well-turned plots that succeed. Only, if it miscarries, you run the risk of being thrown in the sewer: that’s the hazard of trying.

            The greatest personages are hastening to the French opera and leave crowded with joy. Where could they enjoy themselves better? Of late, Mayor Hoffman has gone there incognito, and His Honor laughed so much that there befell him an extinction of voice that made his speeches at the Albany Convention suffer. Mr. Seward made a special trip from Washington to New York: on Tuesday he occupied the box that he had rented on Saturday from ex-Governor Horatio Seymour. The Secretary of State was, above all, desirous of studying the forms, manners, attitudes and phrases of Grog the diplomat, on whom he wanted to model all his ministers.

            Where will the vogue for the amorous Duchess end? You might as well as when the planets will stop orbiting.”

After six performances [see date of review] the performance is still attracting large audiences.