The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-16

ssTreasured TOkens.''

I, nrodncno his opera of Treasured Tokens yester-
day afternoon at the Chestnut Street Iheatre Mr.. d.
Remington Fairlamb labored under number OF DIS
advantages and discouragements that materially
detracted from the chances of the work making the
favorable impression that it ought. The improyised
company was mostly composed OF amateurs or OF
singers unaccustomed to the operate stage, ana
was therefore not within the range OF possiolllty
that they could render the music IN the same style
as professional artists. The performers can very
usty claim to be exempt from disparaging criticism,
and it becomes the duty of the critic to endeavor to
discover the actual merits OF the work. without refer
ence to the manner in which it was executed
Mr. Fairlam calls Treasured Tokens an opera di
camera and assigns his reasons for so doing that
if s of a more ambitious character than mere
oneretta without rising to the dignity OF grand
Opera The HbrettO was written by the composer
and while this apparently gives him an advantage
we think that he would have done better to have
5 selected theme already prepared, and endeavored
TO illustrate it with his numbers.
The drama OF Treasured Tokens is entirely deficient
n action and in work OF this character that Is
very serious objection. young nobleman Ialls IN
love with street singer, who gives him bunch OF
Mowers He loses sight of her for number OF years,
and M length discovers her in the popular prinsa
donna of the day, recognizing her by her singing OF
an air OF his own composition. He produces the
faded nowers, she rushes to his arms, and her
father murmurs above the couple, "Bless ye, me
children and then the friends Of the family come
in and sing grand finale in celebration OF tne nappy
reunion With the exception of little comic bus-
ness between the valet and the cham
mermaid this is the whole subject The
dialogue is entirely too wordy, and it is
exceedingly unnterestng for the characters to fill
mn the intervals between the music by telling long
stories about themselves and their adventures in the
mast Mr. Farlamb would have done himself more
iustice II he had chosen some lively and popular
comedietta OF which there are plenty on the stage,
and adapted his airs TO it. This might easily have
been done without any greater violation OF artistic
connleteness than in the work under consideration,
for the pousic OF Treasured Tokens is only remotely
related TO the subject and we can detect but faint
attemnt 10 work out theme in consistent manner.
Z Asan opera Treasured Tokens is crude and imma-
ture but considered merely as collecton OF pretty
airs il mas considerable merit Mr. Fairlamb has
considerable experience and reputation as COM
poser of this kind of music, and all the solos, duets
and concerted pieces show ability and culture. The
music however wants lightness and ViVaclty, and
the prevailing tone OF sadness is scarcely suited to
40 slight a theme. An operetta, or, 10 talk by the
card an opera di camera, to be extensively popular
with the public must have animation. III was th
that secured 80 much favor TO the little pieces o.
Oaenbach that Susan Gaton appeared IN, an'
although Mr.. Fairlambs work is more elaborate IL
really inferior 10 them in all the qualte
tbat are most essential in this class OF compositions
The second act Of Treasured Tokens Is much the oes
ana IL contains several very beautiful airs that ina
cate frst-rate ability. These however, were nc
EuLg " kasA . lty4e ~ W pT.ls 21t IheI G9o