The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-07


The Alexandra (La.) Democrat possesses in
the person OF "SmelfuDgus" very raey and in
teresting New Orleans correspondent, who dis.
courses Of the late opera season in this city. and
of the personal traits of the artists, in manner
which shows that he knows what he is writing
about. We subjOin the following extracts from
recent letters
You doubtless have all heard OF Damiani, lie.
chevalier, Audibert, Lambele and Seguin Provost
They all artists Of merit, particularly the first
named, whose reputation as premier tenor is
European. Though upwards Of fifty his form and
features are as elegant and handsome, and his
voice as fresh and ringing, as any artists we have
ever had here. Lechevalier is Martiuiquais by
birth only twenty-four years old, and with natu
raj and acquired advantages that mark him as
predestined to be very great baritone singer.
Lambele is very beautiful young woman, who
outwaTbes mockrg bird when she plays as
R0Sind in the Barber de Seville" In Ofen-
bach's operas she has introduced new style of
costume which is as original as it is piquant.
She assumes the idea that young ladies OF noble
family, in the days Of mythology, were not in the
habit Of wearing linen or cotton chemises; In fact,
that their charms were yelled from public curiosity
by armor, by immense necklaces OF gold and
jewelry, or by purple mantillas. Thus, when it
became necessary to gesticulate with appraised
arm, the srmpit was exposed TO view; and In this
respect the beautiful soprano acted her part to
the very lie. Inc dRltduOn IN the parQuetJe on
such occasions was intense. II she happened to
be standing on the left wing OF the stage when
she raised her left arm towards Olympus, all
beads bobbed over towards the left to catch
glimpse Of the mysteries which generally are con.
sideTed cdUtdr to the vulgar. II, on the right,
she lifted her beauteous right hand to invoke the
countenance of her patron deity Venus, the left
hand portion of her admirers we're lost In envy OF
their favored rivals opposite. In all other re-
spects, however, the young lady is most charm
inc o
different from her more youthful associate.
When Lambele Is timid or imprisoned, she is full
Of intensity. Her figure is full and voluptuous,
her face the mpersonaton Of vehemence aud
passion-not the masculine hardness of Charlotte
Cuthman but the embodiment of all that is tender,
and, might even say sensual in the organization
of womankind. One day, wishing to obtain box
in the dress circle for some friends Of hers, who
were anxious 10 witness a performance of grand
opera, she sent request to the impressario.
That official sent word back that 1t was not Gus
tomary tor members OF the troupe to appear in
dress circle on grand opera nights, and that be
could not accede to her demands. Highly incensed
at this measure Audbert gave full scope to the i'm.
petuosity Of her character. She sent q colored
girl, her hair dresser TO Canal street, to get the
best hack she could find. furnishing her with the
necessary funds and instructed her TO drive up to
the box Office and ask for a choice box in the
dress circle " tor her Mistress" The function
AIRY in the Office, not doubling II was for some of
the first families fastened to comply. As
luck would have it, the box selected was in the
very center Of the house, and the most conspi
cuous one in the whole circle. About o'clock
that evening, whilst the second act Of the opera
was in full blast, and everybody seated, a car.
rage stopped in front Of the theater, the door
was opened, and Audbert, unescorted, bat re-
spleDdent in jewelry and rustling silks gided
with calm and naughty dignity, deliberately aud
Juno like into her box, her beautiful eyes riyaling
in their usier the thirty Thousand dollars worth
OF diamonds which spaTkled on her person. All
fnr nd h. fha Irbff,s 81 AZ
unprecedented boldness of the act; strangers, at
the spleudOr and beauty OF the appsrition. and
even the orchestra and the performers on the stage
turned from their allotted task to wonder and to
gaze.
know not II the lives Of American artists are
rs full OF cOmical viclssitndes as those of their
French brethren. To become acquainted with
some Of the more eccentric characters among the
latter and to listen to their adventures, Is like re-
curing to the annals Of Gil Bias, Fleury, and
other interesting book companions of ones youth.
One OF these 10 particular a very honest and gen.
uemanly old fellow OF fifty whose name 1t is not
necessary TO mention here, is a member of the
chorus, and general utility man. .In form and
profile he bears a strong resemblance to the Mo-
hawk Indians whose pictures adOrn the title page
Of COoper's novels his nose is aquiline his eye
RlitteTipg, his form straight and spare as a pine
sspling. But his face is the most kindly, and his
character the most amiable and winning, 1t is pos
sihle 10 conceive. Yearly, for thirty years, ex
eeptinR the six years Of the late war, this man
has crossed the pond from his native Paris to take
bus position on the boards of the French opera in
tits city. When he returns, 10 order to exc out
his slender salary and support his wife and
children who remain in the French capital. be
always carried out half dozen young alligators
and as many mocking birds 70 sell among the
scientific and the curious. His alligators have
brought him as high hundred dollars each,
and his birds also fetch q price tenfold remua
erative. He always travels on shipboard as a
steward. for which his skill as a cook. his equan
unity and experience peculiarly adapt him.
Whenever his preparations are made, he makes
known his Intention TO one of our largest ship
brokers, who mentions the fact among his seafar.
ing acquaintances. His value is so highly appre-
osted that ship captains are always very anxious
10 secure his services. In this individual one
sees the economy and the worth of the French
man.