French Opera: Les Dragons de Villars

Forthcoming re-engagement of Lucille Tostée; replacement of M. Aujac with M. Decre in ‘Les Dragons de Villars.’

“Repeated hearing of the opera of the ‘Dragons de Villars’ (the Hermit’s Bell) only confirm our first impression. It is a work of great value to the lyric stage, or to the comic department of it. The music, besides being specially adapted to the situations of the plot, is musicianly, fluent, singable, and charmingly melodic. There are few better duets for the concert room, we should think, than the two occurring in the first and second acts between soprano and baritone and soprano and tenor. The tenor monologue of the first act, and its counterpart in the second, are delicious bits of sentiment, tender, and yet manly. The soprano solo of the last act is just what it should be for the comic opera; a trifle more of intensity would have fitted it for the grand opera. As it stands, it is likely to be a favorite with lady singers. As sung by Irma it is by far her best effort, and places her on high ground as a prima donna. The orchestra writing is very carefully worked out, and merits the most patient hearing and even study from those who would discover that there are other men in the French school besides Auber and Boieldieu.”