The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-18


mon carpenter in the town OF sasrdam, and
they exert themselves to find him out, with the
intention of concluding treaties advantageous
70 the nations which they represent Lord
Lyndham," the English Ambassador, engages
the services of the selfimportsnt "Burgo-
master" TO aid him In the search.
IL so happens that In the same
shipyard there is deserter from
the Russian military service, named Peter
ivanoh," and the "Burgomaster." having, as
ne thinks. gone to work very shrewdly, STUN
bles upon this man and brings him to the Eng.
lish Ambassador. Believing him to be the
"Czar" Lord Lyndham" endeavors TO arrange
diplomatic matters, and "Ivanoff," unable to
comprehend the object OF the Engishman, as
sents TO everything, and is finally presented
with passport which will enable him to reach
England In safety. In the meantime the peo-
pie of Saardam. having been informed that the
"Czar" is in their city, pi epare to give .Iranof,
public reception, under the supposition that
he Is the monarch.
The French Ambassador, more sagacious than
his English rival, discovers the real "Czar" and
by telling him that the Russians have sustained
q disastrous defeat, succeeds in making him
acknowledge himself The "Czar" anxious to
reach home and assist in person to crush a
rebellion again st his throne, endeavors to find
some means OF getting away unobserved, and
Without mOles iaIion by the Government of
pe or the English cruisers o1sans
and persuades him to part witn II in ex-
ton comes off under the direction OF the
"Burgom aster;'' but in the. midst of the
festivities cannon shots are heard, and while
every one is be Wildered and frightened a cur
tain IN doorway overlooking the sea is drawn
and the "Czar'' is seen upon the deck Of de.
porting vessel. '1vanoff' now opens the
paper which he holds, aud discovers that bis
Gear" In consideration OF the Important SER
vice which "!vanoms" passport has rendered
ne evnn. monarch h the Ge1se of desertion is for
royal dock yards, and permission is given him
TO marry MARY. I" the "Bursomaster's" niece. a
coquettish dbmsel whose ftrtations with other
men excited the Jealous wrath of "Ivanof" on
any very striking music, and 1t passed off
rather tamely, al d the comic acting of Mr.. Sc
obtained all the applause the audience seemed
disposed TO bestow. In the second act, however.
my Flandrisn m siden," admirably sung S by ws. Mr..
Bernard, aroused some enthusiasm, and the
success OF the piece was confirmed by the fine
bell, Castle. Bernard, Seguin, Arnold, and
James Peakes. The concerted passage where
the ambassadors endeavor to arrange matters
with the real and fictitious monarchs, wh1th h
succeeded this. was also good. The bridal song,
"Lovey is the hue of roses" was well given by
Mrs. Bernard, and the finale of the second act
was very fine indeed.
In the third act there was a very humorous
singing lesson between the "Burgo m aster'' and
the chorus; and the "Czar'' has an air OF much
beauty: In childhood 1 dallied with sceptre
and crown.
The music Of the Car and Carpenter is some.
what difficult, and IL is not easy to form q cor
rect estimate of its merits from q single hear.
Ing, but we are of the opinion that it Is likely
to become popular when the public are fully ac
quainted with all its good points The opera
was remarkably well performed last evening"
There were no awkward bitches and baulks
such as might be expected at a first rep 1esenta-
tton, and the singers acquitted themselves in
the most satisfactory manner The choruses
were given in excellent style, and the orches-
ira, under the direction of Mr.. Behrens, gave
the proper assistance TO the voices, although at
times the instruments were q little too loud to
be entirely agreeable.
The distribution of characters was as follows
Peter the Great" Mr.. Campbell; "Peter
Ivsnoff," MIR. Castle; "Van Bert" Burgomaster
of Saardam, Mr.. seguin; marquis de Chateau
nenf." the French Ambasssdor. Mr.. Bernard;
"AdIniral Lefort," the Russian Amb assador,
Mr.. Henry Peakes Lord Lyndbam," the En.
elish Ambassador, Mr.. James Arnold; MARY"
Mrs BerI ard; Mrs. Brown" Mrs. Gougalles.
Mr.. Seguin, as the "BurgOma ter gave good
comic performance. and Mr. Bernard, who ap-
peers to have improved c,nsiderably since we
last heard him. sang remarkably well. The
other rarts were sustained In good style, but q
little more spirited acting would not have been
unappr eciated by the audience.