The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-10


| doubtless some lively debates will ensue.
could hardly put this brief interval to better
than to that OF various neglected topics and the the
aires among the rest. must go, them in the past
tense, however for the unusual heat OF this month
has driven everybody to out OF doors amusements and
reduced the theatres 10 state or suspended ANNA
tion Nearly half Of them are closed I'LL September.
The Theatre Francois remains Open and the director
Is one OF the happy few who can contemplate his de-
serted benches with tranquil eye for this theatre
receives large subventl0n from the government. as
the home OF the national drama OF france 1t was IN
this classic temple that VOltaire his return to
Paris from Ferney just previous TO the revolution or
1885, received sucn a magnificent ovation from the
| enthusiastic crowds VINO hal assembled to witness
one OF the grandest OF his dramas 1t was on these
| boards some thirty years ago, were eaacted
| the sparkling comedies of that exquisite play
| wright scribe, with Mlle Mats and the late Nine.
Plessy as their bright particular attraction 1t was
here, too. at much more recent period, was W.T.
messed the matchess representations OF the peerless
| Rachel who gave such startling expression to the
! fierce passions Of the herones OF Racine, and who
tened to the lavake torrent Of her imprecatiOns In
the agonized and volcanic Phedre. Alas for those
who bear about them such souvenirs as these that
| frequent the Theatre Franeais nowadays The ar
fists Of both sexes are still remarkable for brilliant
talent, but 1t Is sadly wasted on plays utterly un-
worthy OF representation In tllls hlStIical place.
For the last four years, with rare EXCEPTIONS there
has been steady succession of sensational pieces,
al which the main plot has been garng violation OF
| the seventh commandment, under circumstances
more or less varied. but always consisting OF the
three indispensable Characters devoted, unsuspect.
ing husband, fatthless repenting wife, and
a third individual IN whom was combined the
treacherOus friend and coud'nt-help-t lover 1t Is
hardly worth while to venture upon any choice an
alysis OF the half dozen different plays that have
succeeded each other during the period named at
tus theatre, revealing just 80 many various phases
Of eonlugal inade!ity. Sq1ics it that they have in
every case been so admirably acted as to bring
crowded audiences to witness them and always with
the same effect, the women subdued to tears and
the men troubled with mixed emotions. according
to the category they belonged to-that OF husband
or bachelor Commenting on these highly sea-
soned productions wiGty writer recently remarked
that, "fOu really might suppose that all these au-
They discard all subjects save adultery; they dish
up their darling vice with q variety Of sauces. more
or less relieve but IT is tot tours perdn, and we are
see an actress Of such line powers as Mile. de Favar
wasting them upon the herOnes OF such pieces, not
the unskifui manner in which 1t is denneated.
In spite of the hot weather the Grand Opera, which
never closes Its DOORS continues to draw crowds
especially with the favOrlte opera Of Faust" Tnls
hne composition was first brought out at the Thea
tire Lyrique, which ranks next to the Grand opera,
and where pieces OF less serious character, but
often OF great excellence, are produced. "FausL'
had great run at the Theatre Lyrque, and Margue.
rite was lnlmia0ly sung by Nine. Carvarlho. the
Opera; but to give little more attraction to the OPP
era ballet has been introduced and poor Faust has
beauty and the fascmatiOns OF the pre-
n.teres ddnSeuSeS OF the Grand OPERA which
OF ST. Anthony he was never exposed to such bat
terry OF splendid legs as are always at the CON-
mand Of this famous establishment. Nine. Car.
valho once possessed the finest soprano voice of
France, and though 1t may have lost something IN
compass, It still retains all its liquid sweetness
You may Judge OF her merit from the single TACT
that after Nilsson gave up Marguerite to fulfil her
engagement in London Nine. CarvahO took up the
roe and sings 1t with such effect as to console the
nightingale No. 2. AS q relief to ''Faust,n an at
tempt has been made 70 revive at the Grand opera
Meyerbeer's last but not greatest work. the "rr0-
phete." Not venturng TO trust to its pOmpous heavy
music, great care has been bestowed on getting up
ton. In the former they introduce q new pafIor
skate, on which prOdIgies are performed, unaccOm-
panied by that shrll noise SO offensive 10 the old
ones, ana the coronation anthem ID sung BY per.
rect regiment OF chOristers In spite OF these novel;
ties the .Prophete'' never brings such an audience
as the less pretending "Faust," and 1t Is certain
Meyerbeer would never have been elevated TO the
dizzy attitudes of Olympus BY French sutrages but
worthy ali the panegyrc iavished on 1t, especially
as was brought out In former years a. the Grand
Is an admirable travestie OF the opera OF Faust"
produced at the Theatre Of the Folies Dramatiques
both by Herve, the author OF several similar prOduc-
| tons known in New York. such as ''L'Eu Creve''
The music OF "Le Petit Faust'' IS better than any
| written by Onenbach and ranks higher than his
best wOrk-the 'Grande Duchesse." 1t Is less gro
tesque more artistic and oyerdows with the sweet
est melodies The librettO ID full OF FUN, and Keeps
the audience in roar OF laughter 1t abornds n
render its performance out or Paris nearly lmpossi
bic. Not that anything Is said or done that may be
called positively gross but so muci,'is implied rs
not unlrequently to raise q blush on the most
hardened cheek and Partisan ladies IN the habit
OF swallowing great deal with laugh that would
pays chGQLe mode. Besides the wit, which
Is 80 full Of point and plquancy. the charac-
resented, contrast to the pure and gueless crea
ture OF the original as little better than one OF the
herolnes OF Mabe-rull OF the tricks and receptions
OF her calling. Faust, on the other hand, is por.
trayed as credulous and unsophistlcated as one OF
| one of the mock auctions of Onatnam street and
readily believes 'all Is gold that gltters." You may
imagine with what facility his unsuspectng navete
Is turned to account by tue experienced Marguerite
who, with the simulated innocence OF girl her
teens easily dupes him into the belief OF her igno
| rance Of the naughty ways OF the world, while
she Is at pains to conceal the contrary from the
audience. This piquant role was played till recently
| by one OF the handsomest and most known women
| OF Pars-Blanche d'Autigny. Her beauty as well as
her diamonds were the theme of Paris tor months
past. singular incident characteristic OF this gay
damsel compelled the director to dismiss her and
| doubtless to MS great regret. In certain
| scene OF the opera Faust asks where she got
the gorgeous bracelet on her arm, when she c0oiy
| turned round on late occasion and pointing to
| gentleman IN a box, with an elegant woman, who
naa s. exed the o. the @
| ing nm by NAME gave 1T to me-" OF course all
| the audience looked in astonishment at the victim
compelled to beat a retreat, while Blanche went on
In her part more full OF mrth than Since then
another actress taken her place. almost as pretty
| and with much inner voice. Herve, the composer
| and author, plays the role OF Faust and proves
himself a most accomplished artist. Mephisto Is
| sung and played to absolute perfection by Mile.
| Vangheel, who frequently excites the audience TO
| enthusiasm. She sings moroccan called the "Four
| Seasons OF Love" with such exquisite taste and
| melting tenderness "a to make the most sparkling
| gem Of this most delightful OF opera oo,t1es.
that NILSSON has renounced her projected trip the
| United States. contract was really made with the
| Erie magnate, Fisk, but some violation OF 1t has
already occurred, and the indignant songstress has
thrown 1t up. The fascinating Patti has just re-
| turned to Paris from her London season, over.
whelmed, usual, with presents and panegyric.
She is going TO Baden Baden for brief rest. and
alter putting in an appearance at the Italian Opera
| here will go again to Russia, to warm up with hol
magic voice and bright gianoes the frigfd blood Of
| those stately hyperboreans Nilsson is engaged to
make tour OF the English provinces for q g00dly
sum- and VIII return to the Grand Opera late IN the
autumn. Muzo, whose name was once 80 familiar
| In New York, has Just been engaged to preside a
musical director over the operate entertainment