The New York herald., 1868-06-07
Am q S E M E N rs.

ance at this brilliant little theatre last evening was
both numerous and fashionable. Indeed shortly
after eight O'Clock seats In all parts OF the house
were In eager request; after became crowded,
and owing to the intense warmth which prevailed
fans and other cooling apparatus were brought
into active play. In pecuniary point, there
fore, the managerial treasury had but little
to complain OF. The occasion was the
ond representation this season of the Onenbachan
production "0rphee aux Enters" by the New Orleans
Opera Boufe Company. lis but Just to state in the
commencement that In spite of all the vrtuous raids
made upon this production few symptoms of disap-
probation were manifested throughout the entire
performance 1t must not, however he inferred that
the tout ensemble of the production was heartily
endorsed-though, by the way rounds OF applause
were not unirequent--but there an absence of
that aversion which the structures OF hasy pen
men might have led to anticipate On the contrary
judging from outward manifestations the audience
appeared in the best of humor but whether nwardly
delighted is a different as,air. And now word or
two about the piece ITSELF Admittedly the decline
of that once admirable form of entertainment de-
nominated ''burlesquen may he traced to the 'fast
propensites of the age in which the writers seemed
induced to provoke laughter at all risks. To effect
this they generally spice their productions with a
something beyond ludicrousnesS, ana so succeed in
catering FOR the public taste yet IL must never,he
less be borne In mind that burlesque nourished most
when III was most refined, FOR not many
years since it was work OF art. But
and while perhaps the former may in more recent
times have degenerated the latter cannot be said to
have considerably changed, il having from its very
commencement been recognized grand spectacle
addressed to the eye; not remarkable for Its poetry
and pantomme C'etait te paradis des Deur ct Ten
fe1' des oreies. TO what extent Onenbach has ele-
waited opera bontfe the public are undoubtedly the
moral standard of elegance, retained 1t In SfGtu
quo or reduced it to the ebb OF indelicacy,
we will not pause to question, certain that from
whatever aspect it may be regarded his eifusions
have attracted hosts OF admirers and nightly de-
lighted thousands in nearly all the large cities of
exhibition OF the extravagant "La Grande Duchesse
came away absolutely displeased, for Its sparkling
airs will long be remembered; nor did ala Belle
Helene" fall In her attractiveness to crowd around
her numberless devotees. AS musical compositions
duces to their popularity That they are the EN-
bodiment OF pleasing variety none VIII dis
iogues (even in burlesque) exhibit the the very
acme of absurdty. We come, then to examine
the secret Of their success and find that 1t s their
character, their STYLE the manner in which they are
put upon the stage the quality OF the representa-
tlves.not omittng the proper development Of their
ton Of minor attributes that have contributed so
largely to their widespread favoritism. Good music
can answer for ITSELF but the homoopathcally weak
dilutiOn OF an opera bOuffe-a wine glass of Beini
al ali the foregoing requisites q insure it pat,
Enters" Is Ofcourse included, with the proviso that
1t is considered one of Oenbachs best productions
either .La tIrande Duchesse;' or sLa Bele Haiene'%
The music is thought better, and perhaps Justly 80,
and the arrangements though one thing is certain,
OF either the preceding. It needs its proper devei
opment or to make 1t acceptable to the public there
pc S ae
ability. OF these peculiar traits Of the piece one
must speak with discretion and not be
Qrri " vi in0 iAn0 tVfn
excessive parOxyisms OF disgust. This Is more
especially the case where comparisons are invfdiOus-
In bringing back sinners to the ways Of repentance
Is now pretty well established that he never tried to
90 80 has BE- been already proven and that the repre-
tions the intention Of all is the same is not likely
to create any religious impressions Is scarcely worthy
ali such matters is remarkably keen, however
schoolooys most Of us had to pod through them, and
have been perhaps, not unfrequently reprmanded
for an Inadequate knowledge q them; But enough
upon its merits, as we would any similar representa-
tion, and condemn or praise it as It deserves:
not become persecution. The scene opens with
,, pleasing aspect p Of ,.s the suburbs q Thebes
Warmly s5s hIs s'f Besase he s
Tor fiddle with four) that drew after him rocks trees
tanned the widest animals OF the mountain forests.
and calmed the whirlwinds and the tenlpests next
shows himself and soon begins sweet strain which
reveals to him his wife, mistaking Eurydice for
nymph, to whose charms he is not insen-
and IA stormy scene ensues. The duel 1 between
the two was pretty fair, Orpheus displaying
arcSness and vivacity both in her Singing and act
ing But the erect Of both was almost destroyed by
the uncontrolled burst Of the orchestra, which
emotional passages which occurred. Mile. Lambee
at once created favorable impression, combining as
sic charm OF w0manhood She possesses a sweet,
well cultured voice. and is quite pleasing actress;
and although perhaps there Is an absence Of that
so-called abandon about her movements 10 literal
translation OF which would In some instances be the
abandonment Of female proprety she exhibits high
mers sosesbe To tSs suaen Of beese
not great deal can be said, save he plays well on
the violin, which in itself is worthy OF commenda-
tion AristGus I'M. SoupOn) next appears and reveal
ing himself as Pluto carries or Eurydce to his in
fernal abode. M. SoupOn would do well not to
excess, his Impulse anrestrained and his ardor a
little exaggerated. The original Pluto is said to have
Thoier with orcS and whp strongly urges orphes
to appear before Jupiter and demand the restoration
OF his spouse The representation Of that important
training, which would be Of infinite service to his
excellent voice. The second tableaux dscoses all
open to sss ony % tse
sleep drowsy chorus with q terrific snore.
Suddenly returning nom the chase Diana
aspect In every way. She eventually succeeds in
creating confusion. Jupiter IN. Edgar announces,
In order to save the reputation OF the goddess that
he turned Acteon into stag to save the credit OF
mythology. Revolution is now apparent in the
Olympian camp, whereupon Jupiter dsnisses the
gods to their various av0catons before they are per-
mitted to touch the ambrosal nectar. Juno mile.
Decree remains with her husband, to whom she ad-
sound lecture. In this scene DIANA Gu
pid lssi and Venus mad. Cadic) figure prominently
The second mentioned lady is rather high toned and
too fond OF the cdncdnc display; while Venus could
Niblo's, where no doubt she would do well
In "groups." Diana sang her little song credit
ably; but the others, Including Juno, had no
pretensons to fair vocasm. Jupiter has an excel
lent representative In NJ. Edgar. He is q capital
bur1esqbe actor and has twinkle OF humor In his
funny eyes, while his ddactc mode OF utterance and
OF grmace give sufficient racness to the
portions OF his part. While subsequently
taxing Pluto with the distractions OF Eurydce the
gods demi-gods and minor deities bnrst into open
revolution and sing capital chorus-"Aux armes,
deux ct demi-dieux''-with considerable harmony |
and efYect. One Of the beat the