French Opera Bouffe

“Last evening four separate acts of four separate operas, [see above] were given at this theatre by a combination company comprising three prime donne, Silly, Persini, and Aimée, and the remains of three ballet troupes. There would have been four prime donne, but that Montaland has suddenly left, for well understood reasons, on the last European steamer. In each case the second act of the opera was taken, apparently without much regard to whether it were the best to open to selection or not. In ‘Les Brigands’ Silly sang the most popular morceau of the opera—the’Laughing Song’—and was greeted with deserved and enthusiastic applause. ‘Barbe Bleue’—so much of it as was given—was, it must be confessed, a little dull, with the exception of the very amatory song with which the act closes. But the interest of the audience was again enchained by Persini’s careful singing and admirable acting in the ‘Grande Duchesse;’ and Aimée as La Perichole was a brilliant and decided success. A very full house were apparently drawn by this charming patchwork performance; and, as the audience was mainly composed of opéra buffe enthusiasts, who knew by heart the pieces presented, it was tolerably well received. Still, even to those season habitués, it is doubtful whether a single opera would not be more acceptable. The ballet, as usual, took up a considerable portion of the time, and Lupo and Albertino vied with each other in exciting the enthusiasm of the house. The danse sérieuse worked into ‘Barbe Bleue’ was especially successful, but the new pas de cancan in the ‘Grande Duchesse’ was a miserable failure. The mounting of the scenes was excellent, and the orchestra still bears testimony to the care and skill with which it was drilled.”