The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-15 00:00:00

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Last evening a new "opera comique," by Mr. Joseph
F. Duggan, was produced at this theatre with very great
success. The libretto is simply a paraphrase of the
well-known vaudeville Pauvre Jaques, as may easily be
seen in a sketch of the story as adapted and extended
by Mr. Henri Drayton. The opera is in three acts, the
first of which is designated " a prologue." In this we
find that the poor musician, Caspal, has won the heart,
and what is more, the hand, of a young Venetian lady
of high birth. The young pair have been secretly
married by a monk, whose sympathies have got
the better of his discretion. The prospect of paternal
tyranny, as regards a match in another quarter,
faces Leonie as a matter of course, and the couple
meditate an elopement, and so avoid the mischief
that is brewing. The unfortunate Csepel is, how ever,
laid hold of by the inexorable " pater-familias.
Twenty long years intervene. Leonie, overcome with
tribulation, has departed this life, but revives again in
her daughter, who has become a prima donna and the
admiration of all Italy. She lives with the Baroness de
Belleville, whose son Francois has yielded incontinently
to the fascinations which actresses in general, and prima
donnas in particular, are born to exercise. Leonie,
with due amiability, promises the young gentleman her
hand---but not until she has discovered her father,
whom she has reason to believe still lives. Of course
he does, for we have already been introduced to a
mysterious old composer, with a grey head, im-
mersed in poverty, and the prey to some dreadful
memories which have muddled his brain. Francois has
an interview with the venerable man, and resorts to
that never-failing alternative—a song of other days—
which clears up all doubts, and brings father and
daughter into each other's arms. Francois wins his
bride, and the curtain falls. The part of Pester, Miss
Featherstone, a vivacious coxcomb, who buys old Cas-
pal's composition, and parades them as his own, has
nothing to do with the main thread of the history, but
it supplies the comic element which is specificall y
claimed as the characteristic of the opera.
The music, which includes, we believe, some of the
better matter of Pierre, a former work of Mr. Duggan,
is essentially popular in its vein. Its fluency is undeniable,
and the melody which pervades it is agreeable ; while
the instrumentation exhibits both experience and facility.
The ballads which are scattered through the libretto
suited the taste of the audience so perfectly last night
that several repetitions were demanded. There are
no choruses in the opera.
Miss Susannah Lowe, Mr. Elliott Galer, Mr. Dray-
ton, and Miss Featherstone were the vocalists, and sang
to the best of their ability, eliciting from time to time
great applause. The orchestra had been materially en-
larged for the occasion, and Mr. Duggan himself pre-
sided. He was called for when the curtain fell with
vociferous enthusiasm. The singers, too, appeared, and
many were the bouquets that were thrown at their feet.
The winter season here terminates on the 25th inst.,
by which time all who have not witnessed the perfor-
mances of Mr. G. V. Brooke, or not seen the other en-
tertainments, should take an opportunity of visiting the
theatre. The benefit of the intelligent and enterprising
lessee is fixed for Tuesday, the 21st inst., on which oc-
casion Mr. Brooke is to appear in one of his principal
characters, in addition to other artistes of distinction who
have volunteered their services. Mr. E. T. Smith de-
serves all the support he gets, and we hope to see a bumper house on his benefit night. t