Birgfeld French Opera: La périchole

“Benefit on account of the Charity Society of Jewish Women”  “No extra charge for reserved seats.”

“’La Périchole,’ as represented by the inimitable Irma, sung her song of changeful melody last night to a numerous and appreciative audience.  Her voice and action, with her inimitable drollery, coquetry and little female villanies, which have turned the heads of thousands of her admirers, were fully displayed in the final representation of the opera.  The audience was of that class which is not content with one performance of a favorite, but worships nightly at the shrine of genius over which their priestess of music presides.  When, therefore, La Périchole drummed her mandolin for the last time the regret felt by her admirers was merged in hearty and enthusiastic applause.  Both Irma and Aujac surpassed themselves.  The latter was in excellent voice, and the former was, if possible, more charming than usual.  The choruses were well rendered, and on the whole the opera was smoothly and effectively rendered.  The audience dispersed highly pleased with ‘La Périchole.’”

“At the performance of ‘La Perichole,’ for the benefit of M. Aujac, on Friday night, a scene occurred in the finale of the second act which was not on the programme, and produced for a while a very lively sensation. It was where Piquillio, discovering as he supposes, that La Perichole is the mistress of the Viceroy, [?] her with curses. M. Aujac was doing the agonized lover with remarkable energy and success, and Irma (though the scene was not a comic one) was burlesquing the whole business with her characteristic antics. M. Aujac was encored, and began to repeat the song, when Irma indulged in some particularly grotesque movement. He stopped suddenly, stepped forward, and declared that ‘it was impossible to sing while Madame continued her bélises.’ There was an immediate shout of ‘Bravo’ all over the house. The air was begun again, and a tremendous peal of applause at its close obliged M. Aujac to give it for the third time. He was afterward called twice before the curtain, and although there were a few hisses and other demonstrations from the Irma party, it was evident that the tenor had the sympathies of the house. As for the fair offender herself, she manifested not the slightest concern.”

Conviction of Francis Tholer of assaulting the obese and good natured director of the establishment, Mr. Birgfeld.