Bateman French Opera: La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein

“…A most brilliantly successful sojourn in Washington, Baltimore,and Philadelphia, where the metropolitan indorsement by the fashion, wit, taste and culture of society has been heartily reindorsed by many thousands of admirers, who have crowded the houses nightly.”

“We notice with pleasure, that the ‘Grande Duchesse’ will return to this house on Monday next, after a protracted and eminently successful tour in other cities. She will find that her admirers have not declined in her absence.”

“It will surprise no one to learn that the company has met with uniform successs wherever it has penetrated. Mr. Bateman intends producing ‘La Belle Heléne’; as soon as there is an indication of a falliong off in the attractiveness of the Duchess; but this necessity does not appear to be pressing. There will be a great attendance to-night.”

“To the Grand Duchess. A very spirited performance. The music grows on one. The melodies are saucy piquant and pretty, and some of them are rather more than that. All the parts are fairly well filled--and a more reckless abandoned piece of extravagant fun and nonsense was surely never put on the stage. Some people call it immoral, out and out. One cannot medicate morality or immorality of an extravagance, like Bombaster Furioso or Tom Thumb. Vulgar it may be, ‘in spots,’ but not in a way to hurt anybody.”

“Nothwithstanding the inclement weather the Grand Duchess of Gerolstein and her brilliant court never held a finer reception than that of last evening. It was the first appearance of her Highness since returning from the successful campaign with General Boum and General Fritz, and his sweetheart Wanda, Prince Paul, Baron Puck and Baron Grog, and the incomparable Nepomuc and the Grand Duchess herself, with her entire suite and army, have recently made. Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia were all taken by storm, and New York, which long ago surrendered to the irresistible charms of her Highness, last night celebrated her triumphant return. With augmented chorus, which new dresses, with freshly painted scenery, and with its original cast of principal characters, all and each in the plenitude of their faculties, this most remarkable and delightful opera bouffe was brought out with even greater success than at its first representation in this city. The orchestra and its leader, Mr. Lefevre, deservedly shared in the applause which is always elicited by the sparkling music of Offenbach, by the bewitching magnetism of Mlle. Tostée, the inevitable bow of Prince Paul and Baron Grog, the clear voice of Wanda, the inexhaustible fun of the by-play in which the illustrious trio, General Boum, Prince Paul and Baron Puck indulge, and the admirable harmony with which all the members of the company act well, their parts. Mr. Bateman may well congratulate himself on the extraordinary popularity which has been won by his introduction of Offenbach’s ‘Grande Duchess de Gerolstein’ upon the American stage.” 

“‘La Grande Duchess’ made her reappearance last night at the French Theatre, with increased pomp and circumstances of burlesque war, with admirable additions to her army and retinue in the shape of some fourteen new singers in the chorus, which rang out ‘voici le sabre’ with unaccustomed verve and vigor. General Boum was more bloodthirsty than ever before; Baron Grog more scrupulously ceremonious, and Prince Paul more hopelessly in love, while Fritz bore the honors of his rapid promotion quite as unblushingly as ever. Of the Duchess we can say with satisfaction that we have never heard her in better voice, and she entered into the peculiar serio-comic and abandonment of her part with all the recklessness of her nature, and we must say here that the Duchess is one of the freshest and most original creations of Offenbach’s fertile genius. It is a character by itself, and altogether unlike any other in his modern drama. All of the actors last night were in their best humor. There was a great deal of nice by-play, and new incidents and fresh situations were introduced. Mr. Bateman has purchased new scenery and rich dresses, and although ‘La Belle Helléne’ is underlined and other novelties are provided, yet we are sure that the public will not consent to the withdrawal of ‘La Grande Duchesse’ for some time to come.”

“At the Theatre Francais last evening, the ‘Grand Duchess’ returned to her lieges, and was welcomed by a large and fashionable audience. The opera is one of the most pleasing and popular productions of the age, and is accepted as such in every capital where pretence has not the upper hand. Mr. Bateman's artists play it as well as it ever was given in Paris. It is hardly possible to say more in its praise. But a word may yet be added. The orchestra is decidedly better than at the Varieties, and the chorus equally good. The indications are that the ‘Grand Duchess’ will have as long a career this season as last. There was a very stupid contretemps in the second act. A foolish person in the amphitheatre, who was intoxicated, threw an orange at Prince Paul’s hat, which was perched on the prompter’s box. It was a gross affront, inasmuch as there was a mistaken idea that it was intended for the representative of the character in question. But it was, we think, a simple and silly effort to ‘take a shy’ at a conspicuous obect. The culprit will rue his temerity. He was instantly arrested, and by this time is probably aware.”  

“The ‘Grand Duchess’ last night had as large and brilliant a throng of admirers as though Italian Opera had not been given at the two fashionable opera houses. Mlle. Tostée is singing with all of her former animation, and the support is as splendid as ever.” 

“‘The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein,’ continues to draw good houses, and the applause and laughter are every night as hearty now as they were when the work was first produced. The public appetite for this pleasant trifle seems indeed to be utterly unappeasable. The Duchess, and Fritz, and Prince Paul, and Boum delight the town by their absurdities as much as they ever did. The inimitable Puck still bears his umbrella into the midst of camps and conspiracies, and the diplomatic Greg still wags his wise head and bows his starched body. So long as this opera affords so much satisfaction to mankind we suppose La Belle Helene may be safely postponed.”

“The houses at the French Theatre the past week have been remarkably crowded, considering how long ‘The Grand Duchess’ has been performed. One of the best audiences of the season was called out last night, although there were two performances of Italian opera, Mlle. Tostée is singing and acting with more than usual spirit, and the whole performance is given with increasing thoroughness and vigor.”

“Too Enthusiastic.—During the performance of ‘La Duchesse’ at the French Theatre on Monday evening, Feb. 24th, an intoxicated individual in the gallery threw a stuffed rabbit and a lot of apples and oranges on the stage, amid roars of laughter. Bateman, the ‘pere of his child,’ soon discovered the culprit, and he was committed to answer.”