Neuendorff Dramatic and Operatic: Girofl�-Girofla

“Lecocq’s admirable opera, which has already become a formidable rival in popularity to “La Fille de Madame Angot,’ and which contains music of a much higher order than is generally found in opéra bouffe, was brought out for the first time in German last night for the benefit of Miss Lina Mayr, the most versatile and fascinating soubrette that the German stage in this country can boast of at present. There are two important changes in the version of Lecocq’s work given at the Germania last night from what we have seen in French, and those changes, we believe, are in accordance with the original. The rôle of Marasquin was given to a tenor (Mr. Schütz), and that of Mourzouk to a basso (Mr. Schoenwolff). Miss Lina Mayr appeared in the title rôles, and in none of the many opéra bouffe parts she has hitherto taken did she gain such a decided and complete success. The now familiar numbers of the sparkling work were sung and laughed through with that abandon and humor that is generally supposed to be the exclusive quality of the French school. In the clever finale of the first act, an admirable burlesque on grand opera ensembles, Miss Mayr’s voice was very effective. The crowded house and numerous floral offerings that greeted her seemed to have an inspiring influence on her vocal and dramatic efforts. The tenor, Mr. Schütz, gave a very laughable and thoroughly enjoyable interpretation of the young bridegroom, Marasquin, and a more ferocious looking representative of the bloodthirsty Moor than Mr. Schoenwolff it would be very difficult to find. Don Bolero and Aurora, his shrewish wife, were capitally represented by Mr. Witt and Miss Schmitz, and Miss Heynold acted and sang the rôle of Paquita to the life. The pirates’ chorus was heartily applauded, and many of the principal airs in the opera were encored. The work was very handsomely placed on the stage, as far as scenery and costumes were concerned, and the chorus and orchestra, although necessarily small in numbers to suit the size of the stage, were composed of excellent material and did their share of the work very satisfactorily. ‘Geroflé-Gerofla’ [sic] promises to have a long run at this cosey little theatre, and to enjoy as great a popularity with the Germans as it has met with at the hands of the habitués of the Park Theatre.”