Aim�e Opera Bouffe: P�richole

“‘La Perichole’ took the place of ‘La Grande Duchesse’ last evening, and will be repeated this evening. Mlle. Aimée played the title role with her wonted ésprit, combining verve with vivacity in ways known only to her piquant and effervescing genius; while Messieurs Julian and Duchesne were also acceptable as before as Piquillo and Don Andres de Ribeira, respectively.”

“‘La Périchole’ was sung at the Broadway Theatre last evening, and is to be repeated to-night. We consider Mlle. Aimée’s personation of the street-singer the most successful of her many creditable achievements, and the applause with which the letter-song, the verses in which the consequences of a diner fin are depicted, and the song expressive of the woman’s opinion of the silliness of the sterner sex, were received, showed that her efforts in ‘La Périchole’ were at least as impressive as in the older works. Mlle. Aimée had the co-operation, as usual, of M. Juteau, who played Piquillo, of M. Duchesne, who represented Don Andres, and of the larger part of the regular company. We do not like to find fault with performers so conscientious and clever as these artists, but we must mention that they betray a more frequent inclination to interpolate new words and stage business into the tasks set them than is altogether judicious. Mlle. Aimée herself is open to reproach because of a like tendency, from which the liberal provisions made by the composer and librettists ought to guard all the actors concerned.”

“‘La Périchole’ was sung at the Broadway Theatre by the Aimee troupe last night for the first time this season. Mlle. Aimee is especially acceptable in this opera, and Mr. Juteau sung the part of Piquillo with unusual spirit last night. The cast required for ‘La Périchole’ is more easily filled out of the resources of an ordinary company than any of Offenbach’s pieces, and the business being in a few hands only greater effects can be produced with less strength than is the case with other operas. The piece last night was well received by a good house, and, as a whole, was more charming than anything which preceded it this season, as the weak singers of the company were kept in the background or out of the cast altogether.”