The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-19

ther undivided attention. with constant evidences OF
hearty sympathy, to play the chief merit Of which
is that it does exat virtue and honor and brands
infamous by depicting It's influences and effects
in the strongest possible colors.
The Forkfngnen Of New York; or, The Curse Of
Strong Drink is direct and forcibe appeal in favor
Of temperance, and Tor practical effect eXposi-
ton OF the evils OF drunkenness IL is OF more value
than any temperance lecture or sermon that could
be delivered. The piece is well known, as 1t has
frequently been performed and II not one OF the
best it is OF the most popular Of its class. 1t Is
usual to localize 1t in whatever city or town
1t may be performed, and two or three seasons ago
1t was brought out in good style at the Chestnut,
until the title of The Workingmen Of Philadelphia.
1t is not matter Of much consequence, but Miss
Keene would not have done amlss to have
made this alteration in the title, ana
to have introduced the necessary localisms
to adapt 1t to this city. This play, it is true, de-
pends In great degree for its success on It's dra
matte effects, butit popularity Is due quite as mucn
to its moral and the appeals that it makes to popu-
lar sympathies and tastes. 1t is certainly not very
good play from literary or art standpoint ana as
protest against the vice Of drunkenness 1t is in-
ferior to such pieces as Janet Pride and Madeline
1t is good of its kind, however, and much better
than many of the so-called "sensation" pieces OF
the day. and its influence cannot be otherwise than
beneficial upon the class of persons that will chiefly
be attracted by IL.
The performance last night went Off with spirit,
and the actors went NnrOuBn Inelf parJS WlJl an
energy appropriate TO the subject, aud acquitted
themselves to the salts action of the large audience
In attendance
ssThe Magic Flute, and s'FidellO, by the Ger
man Troupe.
On Wednesday evening Mozarts opera OF the
Magic Flute was performed by the German troupe at
the Academy Of Music, and last night Beethovens
Fsdelo was given, Both OF these works are OF such
high order of merit that 1t Is matter of regret
with lovers of music that they are not often per-
formed, and yet they present such difficulty IN the
execution that unle ss executed in very superior
style by artists OF frstrate ability 1t is much better
that they should not be attempted.
The Magic Flute is based upon Of those "wonder"
stories which at one time, perhaps still are,
extremely popular on the German stage but which are
devoid of merit real interest that 1t is matter
for regret that such a composer as Mozart did not
choose something better the subject OF of his
most charming compositions. In spite of the intri-
cacies of peculiarly stupid and unnteresting plot,
however, the music Of the Magic Flute will always
obtain for 1t high place In the list OF standard
operas and if worthily sung it will always command
apprecative applause. But little, however, can
be said in avor of the performance of Wednesday
evening, as the music was so entirely beyond
the range of the singers that the performance was
almost as much of a burlesque the performance OF
one OF Shakespeares tragedies by the Walnut Street
Theatre company, when they trembling beneath
the frowns Of Mr. Forrest. Madame Frederici,
Madame Rotter, and Messrs. Himmer and Formes
to be commended for conscientious efforts to do
their best but otherwise there was little worthy OF
praise in the efforts of the evening, the orchestra
and chorus in particular being very inefficient.
Fidelio, which was given last evening, is undoubt-
edy the finest opera ever written. simple and pa
thetic subject is illustrated with the skill of master,
and this noble composition only be characterized
by stating that it is Shakespearan In every of
the term No one who has ever heard this great
work can ever forget the magnificent quartette in
the first act, ''Mr ist wonderbar the prisoners
chorus, the solo by "Florestan" in the second act
the grave-dgging scene, or the recognition of the
indviduaized, but each shade of emotion in the
drama is expressed with grandeur pathos, and
depth of feeling that are as wonderful as they
admirable
This work has peculiar charm, OF which 1t can
not be deprived even by an unworthy performance,
but 1t is not agreeable to listen to such effort
that of last evening. Madame Johannsen is the only
'Leonora the stage, and she certainly enters into
the spirit Of the part with fine appreciation Of its
dramatic requirements. Her voice, however, is in
adequate the Interpretation OF the music, and her
personation is therefore far from satisfactory. tis
but justice to say that the other artists endeavored
to do their best but that best fell far short Of
sonable standard OF excellence. In Fideio much
depends upon the chorus, and much more upon the
orchestra and it in these particulars that the
deficiencies of the performance were most palpably
felt,