French Opera Bouffe: Les Géorgiennes; Dress Rehearsal

“On Sunday evening, March 5^th, a full dress rehearsal of this opera was given, in the presence of a large number of invited guests, at the Grand Opera House. The music, which is very pleasing, is of a higher order than any we have hitherto heard from the pen of this author, and some portions of it are very intricate and difficult of execution. In the first act the chorus, ‘Appelons les femmes’ was beautifully rendered, and M’lle. Persini won a hearty applause by her charming singing of some couplets, commencing ‘Ah, vraiment.’ The chorus of the maimed, ‘Apres un guerre,’ was conspicuous for its harmony and would have received several encores had they not been prohibited. A drinking song, sung by M’lle. Aimée, with chorus, near the close of the second act, will undoubtedly, become very popular. It was not the one set down in the libretto, however, but was interpolated. It afforded M’lle. Aimée an admirable opportunity to display the full powers of her voice, and at its close a burst of applause, such as is seldom heard in a theatre, rewarded her efforts. At the close of this act the female drum corps appeared, and won very considerable applause for their skill and precision in time. The Amazonian march, by a number of young ladies, was a noteworthy feature. They were reviewed by General Ferosa—M’lle. Aimée—mounted upon a horse, which she managed with considerable tact. The third and final act is very brief. The chorus sung by the male portion of the cast, disguised as female gipsies, was very ludicrous. The opera is well mounted and costumed, and contains all the elements of success, and the libretto is singularly free from any improper allusions. The tableau at the rising of the curtain on the third act, which consists of a bivouac of the female warriors, was very beautiful. The time of representation was three hours.”