New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-03-27
MUSIC.
IA BELLE HELENE.
have it..


ala Belle Helener was produced last night
for the first time the French Theater before largo
and apparently well satisfied audience The applause Of
the galleries enthusiastic That OF the boxes was for
obvious somewhat subdued The opera was first
brought out in Paris in 1854. IL is, therefore.
Of earlier date than the "Grande DuchesSe"
by which the composer better known in this country,
and several OF the airs apparently the crude ideas
which have since been elaborated and consigned 10 long
popularity in the latter work One or two
OF the numbers have higher scientific value
than anything inthe Grdnde DueheSse" but as whole
the music is less sprightly and pleasing than
that OF the opera which has just been withdrawn and
not more than one or of the songs destined to
great public favor The opportunities for the most comica
OF buresque acting abundant and IN the HANDS
OF this company, which embraces 80 many superior
actors, we need hardly say that they arc
availed OF to the fullest extent The stage
business well done many Of the situstions
are exceedingly aughable the scenery is eood tho
rc the choruses strong enough and arc
fairly drilled The story nothing than the seduc
ton OF Helen (Nile. Tost6e), from her husband
Menelaus On Leducl, by the amorous. shepherd
Paris tM Gufroyl, who carries her away
with theconnivance OF A0daemaon on. Drchesne), and
the soohsayer Calehas on. LagrifouD. Others OF the
Homerc characters introduced in an episodcal way
-Orese8 (Mdlle- de Feloourth Achilles ~. Vater). and
the two Ajdres (MM Benedck and Monsp
1t would be presumsng too much upon
pose that any large part Of the Gndiences know
much Of the history legends In which these heroic per-
sonages figure that the absurity OF the buresque can
consequently be very widely appreciated For this rea
SON. among others We do not anticipate for Ia BeNe
Isltne" such long run its predecessor enjoyed
The performance belongs to class which We eannot
but regret TO see coming into Seduction and Illicit
passion are not made respectable by the eounte-
| nance Of tho Homerc Greeks and an adulterer
IA lust as wicked in tunic and baskins as In n
| iress-coat land ealtskin boots. The portion Oh
the legend OF Helen which has been seiectso
for the plot Of this opera is intrinsieay UNIT Tor inc
stage. The language does not improve It. Tho gross
points are made more gross text is loaded within
decent innuendoeSs the action IN several placea
| ia simply vile; Shnd the costumes OF certain
| characters are more lasciyions than anything We
have yet seen in a respectable theater Two or
three years ago. La Belle He<se" would not have ossa
| tolerated in New.York II 1t become popuse now ws
shall grieve for the degeneracy OF our people Let %
remembered that this play not satire. contains no
bitterness and save an occasional fling at little fashions
! of the Say, Il conveys no reproc1 Vice here
ia triumphant and virtue is represented oav ny .
red haired IDIOT Moral filth Is exposed, not that u may
be target for the shafts OF and rdieule put
merely because filthy. There are people who re'o,
in this sort OF drama, who will crowd the galleries *
! the French Theater all the more for reading waSs
we have written-peope who goat over the hterStuts
which souhey called the furniture Oh she pagnioA o
TO such we do not speak fhere are many reseectaoe
ladies and gentlemen, however. who having esoyeo 'n
fun and yyacity OF the Gande Dachess Without pen
etrating its thin crust OF decotum, may 1e temp y,
seek for similar amusement In La Bsfie Helene; All
such u,e reoommend 20 stay away n we must have Ot
fenbaoh Ia the Of decency let her Hghness VI wv
/ r0lstein come pacb Rka""