Grau French Opera Bouffe: Hebrew Benevolent Society Benefit

On the 22nd a performance will be given at the French Theatre for the benefit of the Hebrew Benevolent Society.

Benefit for the Hebrew Benevolent Society.

“There assembled last evening at this fashionable resort one of the most brilliant assemblages that have congregated within its limits during the present season—brilliant because of the sparkling jewels, elegant toilets and beauty of the many Jewish maidens who thronged the establishment to witness a performance doubtless interesting to them, but profitable to the Hebrew Benevolent Fuel Association, for whose especial emolument the theatre was crammed in every part. The entertainment was in every respect worthy of the occasion, and the result must be regarded as a complete success. The first act of ‘Barbe Bleue’ was given with much better effect than in the Academy of Music. Mlle. Desclauzas as Boulotte was as sprightly as a peasant girl at sixteen and a half might wish to be, while her voice was in excellent condition. M. Carrier confirmed the favorable impression which he has already created, and the powers of his good tenor voice were displayed to the very best advantage. The other characters were also well sustained, indeed, ‘Barbe Bleue’ at the French theatre last night was quite a delightful surprise. Next followed two acts of the famous ‘Genevienve de Brabant.’ Nothing can be added to what has been already said. The characters, the mise en scene and the music are too well known to elicit any recapitulatory comment. Suffice it to say that the performance was satisfactory in two distinctive features—to the audience and to the Hebrew Benevolent Fuel Association, whose charities during this festive season will be dispensed with no niggardly hand.”

“At the French Theatre last night the performances were for the benefit of the Hebrew [Benevolent] Fuel Association, and the first act of ‘Barbe Bleu,’ with two acts of ‘Genevieve,’ constituted the dainty dish set before the large audience summoned together at the double call of charity and music. Mlle. Desclauzas is an admirable Boulette, her physique, more robust than that of Mdlle. Irma, fits her better for the character, and she was the true paysanne designed by the author. Her charming voice showed to great advantage in the quaint and fresh music of the part, and she acted with a force and naturalness we have not seen excelled. If comparisons were not so odorous, we should say we missed in Carrier that electrical vivacity and gay abandon which are so agreeable in Aujac’s presentment, of the blue-bearded Lothario, but then comparisons are odorous, and we will say nothing about it. Beckers was a most unctuous Popoleni, and his fine voice beautified the part. The chorus was careless at times, and their occasional cacophony caused consequent beads of agony to appear on the brow of the conductor, M. Stoepel. They, however, redeemed themselves in the more familiar strains of ‘Genevieve,’ and the evening’s performance generally gave intense satisfaction to the numerous listeners, who expressed their warm approbation by constant applause. Speaking of warmth, the furnaces of the Theatre were in such vigorous play last night that the play might well have been called Barbe Bleue aux Enfers! After the audience has been assembled some half hour, and the heat of the gas has penetrated to every part of the Theatre, we would suggest a little relaxation of the ferocity of the furnaces.”