The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-29 00:00:00

THE FRENCH THEATRES,

LTRIQUE —The extraordinary reputation of M. Gounod's
last opera, " Faust," which appears to be making the tour
of all Europe, attracted a very unsual degree of attention
to his new opera just brought forward here, entitled
" Mireille." We havenever seen a more crowded or more
excited audience, or one more desirous to be pleased, than
that assembled at its first representation. But whether it
was that public expectation had been too highly raised,
or from. whatever other cause, certain it is that
though the new opera was favourably received it
did not create the same undivided admiration as
its predecessor. Not that there was any want of
enthusiasm ; on the contrary, there was too much, for the
opinions of its supporters seemed to be rather the expres-
sion of passion than judgment. How the world will even-
tually decide a little time will determine. For ourselves,
without undertaking to pronounce an opinion after one
uneasy and agitated hearing as to whether the fanatics of
the more discreet moderados were right, we are at present
disposed to believe that the majority will be found among
the latter. The libretto is founded upon a pretty and touch-
ing legend of Provence, written in the patois of that poetic
part of the country, and prettily versified by M. F. Mistral,
in a little poem somewhat resembling in style Bishop
Percy's old English ballads. It may be rougly sketched
in substance as follows :—Mireille, the heroine, is a vir-
tuous and gentle village girl, whose hand is sought by two
suitors—one of them a man of substance, but of violent and
brutal character ; the other named Vincent, his contrast in
person, character, and purse. Mireille prefers the letter.
His rival, irritated at being refused, waylays Vincent at a
pass on the mountains, an encounter ensues, and Vin-
cent is thought to have fallen by his hand. Mireille, deeply
distressed at her lover's supp3sed death, undertakes a pil-
grimage to pray for him at a celebrated shrine tin those
parts, but on reaching the end of her long journey she is
overjoyed to find Vincent waiting for her, having escaped
the attempt of his formidable rival. Unfortunately this
happiness comes too late. Overpowered by fatigue and
suffering she has been struck by a coup de soleil, and ex-
pires in her lover's arms, We could not help thinking
that this coup de soleil, introduced by the poet to ac-
count for her death, was quite superfluous under the cir-
cumstances, and one of the audience suggested it should
be called le coup [de " grace." The first act was very
warmly applauded, particularly a chorus, " Chantez,
Charles:Magnanarelles I" vehemently encored. The second
act, though not so much distinguished by the favour of the
public, came in for a due share of approval. In the third,
a long baritone solo of a gloomy or religious character found
few partisans, but in the fourth a charming cantilena,
Helen= Petit Berger, sung by Mme. Carvalho, united all
suffrages in its favour; it is a gem of the first water.
This lady never displayed her talents to greater
advantage, and Madame Fare Lefebvre seconded her most
admirably. The : scenery and general appoint-
ments are in the usual style of this house—that is to say,
not easily surpassed in any theatre. Tha customary up-
roarious enthusiasm followed the descent of the curtain, in
the midst of which the names of the composer and writer
were honoured with ovations loud and long enough to com-
pensate for any deficiency of warmth exhibited during the
representation.