French Opera: La Périchole

“First appearance at this theatre of Mlle. DESCLAUZAS PIQUILLO IN LA PERICHOLE [sic].”

“Opera Bouffe retains possession of the boards of the Fifth Avenue Theatre, with Irma and Aujac in the leading rôles. The operas to be presented this week consist of ‘Barbe Bleue’ and ‘Perichole.’”

“Mons. Aujac made his last appearance last night at the Fifth Avenue theatre [sic] as that vocal but too much married monster Barbe Bleue. He also leaves for Europe in a week or two. Mlle. Desclauzas has been engaged by Mr. Fisk to fill his place at the ‘gilded bandbox.’ The opera bouffe season at the Fifth Avenue theatre will terminate on next Saturday evening.”

“Mlle. Irma, like Mme. Rose-Belle [sic], contemplates remaining in this country. They will probably form a copartnership [sic] and give us opera bouffe next season on their own account.”

“Last Saturday Mlle. Desclauzas took the place of M. Aujac at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, singing the tenor music of Piquillo an octave higher, and in the soprano register. Muscally speaking this was a preposterous absurdity, and a sacrifice of all the composer’s intended effects, especially in the duets and concerted pieces; yet Desclauzas acted so well, and was altogether so charming and fascinating, that the applause was as great as if the brilliant Aujac himself had been on the stage. ‘La Perichole,’ with its curious cast, will therefore be repeated every evening this week and at the Saturday matinée.”