Grau French Opera Bouffe: Barbe-bleue

“Mr. Grau takes pleasure in announcing that he is able to give a summer season of grand, artistic and orchestra Concerts, also of Comic and grand Operas, at the newly erected Terrace Garden. He has secured first class artists.”

“This charming resort was attended last evening by a large assemblage, the occasion being the inauguration performance of the summer season. As an open air place of amusement admirable arrangements have been made for the reception of visitors, and should the management carry out the programme proposed substantial patronage and profit will doubtless characterize the undertaking. In such weather as this a balmy breeze rustling through the foliage and fanning the heated frame is worth paying for; but when to that luxury are added a splendid orchestra and myriads of lights reflecting their harmless rays upon a smiling throng, the pleasure of being present must be considerably enhanced. Attached to the gardens is a neat little summer theatree [sic], in which was presented last evening Offenbach’s celebrated ‘Barbe Bleue’—with Mr. Habelmann in the title rôle, and Mlle. Paulina Canissa as Boulotte. Although the former was wanting in that peculiar vivacity which only a Frenchman can impart to the character, the production was given in excellent style, considering the limits of the stage. Mr. Habelmann sung very well, while Mlle. Canissa threw into her arduous part much spirit, sprightliness and humor and rendered her solos with true artistic finish. Altogether ‘Barbe Bleue,’ as produced last evening, apparently gave much satisfaction. But after all the weather was much too oppressive for the indoor entertainment, however meritorious it may have been. To be sure the neat little theatre was crowded, but the universal desire of the audience was to be in the gardens, where, seated before giane [sic] glasses of rosy cobblers, mint juleps or champagne for the matter of that, they could have enjoyed a good open air concert, cum olium din. Mr. Hermann Grau [sic], an able and experienced manager, has exhibited great taste in the manner in which the entertainment has been gotten up; but we will recommend him to dispense with operatic representations indoors and transfer his excellent company to the terrace, where, in conjunction with the orchestra, some splendid selections may be given in the open air, to the universal gratification of all who may attend. Manager Grau will, doubtless, see the propriety of the change, and the result may be that Terrace Garden will prove one of the most pleasant and refreshing resorts during the summer season. Mr. Colen, the proprietor, has evidently spared nothing to render the undertaking as acceptable as possible, but the artists must be removed from the stove to the terrace, where gentle summer winds will waft their warblings to a delighted multitude. The gardens last evening were thronged to excess, and the inauguration of the season was entirely successful.”

“In the little theatre attached to [the Terrace Garden] a company of German operatic artists last night, under the management of Mr. H. Grau, gave a performance of Offenbach’s ‘Barbe Bleue.’ Miss Canissa was the Boulotte, and sang tastefully. A large audience was in attendance.”

“Offenbach disguised in German, is a good deal like champagne with the bead off. But to our Teutonic fellow-citizens, who appear to measure their humor somewhat as they do their sausages, by weight, a joke is a joke, perhaps all the better for being heavy. And certainly Mr. Grau had no cause to be dissatisfied with either the extent or the enthusiasm of the audience which laughed and perspired over the entertainment he offered them on Friday [?] evening. The opera, to be sure, was less elegantly mounted than we have seen it elsewhere, the dresses were more curious than costly, and the armor of Blaubart’s retainers suggested a hurried raid on the tin-ware of some neighboring kitchen. But the music was good, the singing fair, and the actors certainly showed energy if not grace. So that for those who prefer their wine with the mousse extracted, and who are partial to a close and not over-fragrant atmosphere, the performance was very enjoyable. Mr. Habelmann sang the rôle of Blaubart with pleasing effect and acted with considerable spirit, and Mlle. Pauline Canissa, albeit lacking the physical advantages of some of her predecessors, yet managed to infuse into the part of Boulotte a certain sprightliness which won applause and laughter from her hearers. The night was rather warm for such an experiment, the result of which was, however, very encouraging. The addition of fresh air, and ushers who have some slight acquaintance with the English language and the plan of the seats, would doubtless make Mr. Grau’s Summer theater generally popular and an entire success.”

“Manager Grau in a quiet way has set on foot a very pleasant entertainment at the Terrace Garden, Fifty-eighth street and Third avenue. If there is any one season of the year particularly suited to opera bouffe, it is these summer nights, when the mind refuses to be oppressed with heavy music, and Offenbach’s light, graceful, flippant, but brilliant strains amuse without wearying. The present enterprise is particularly addressed to the Germans. ‘Barbe Bleue’ was given on Thursday evening in that language. The hall is a bright, handsomely painted apartment, open at the sides to admit the fresh air. A stage is erected across one end, with sufficient scenery, and thereon Mr. Habelmann and Miss Canissa, assisted by a very competent company and a good chorus and orchestra, under the direction of Mr. H. Mollenhauer, played and sang Offenbach’s opera with a heartiness and spirit and genuine fun that make part of the German nature. If Miss Canissa is not so good an actress as Irma was, she is quite as good a singer, and every one knows Mr. Habelmann’s merits in that direction.”