The New York herald., 1871-12-07
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.


| Grand Opera HOuse-ssThs Three Guards
mcn.o
In the dramatisation OF works OF fiction the late
Alexandra Dumas has laid open rich field which
has been seaiousy taken advantage Of by the horde
OF modern adapters. Dumas always wrote with .
dramatic purpose which left mis- works uuencum-
bered BY the perplexing dificuties which have met
those who attempted to dramatlze Dickens In his
brilliant recital OF the adventures Of Lies Trois
Mousquetaires'' he has left clear narrative which,
romantic and unreal to the last degree, yet has IN
1t the elements OF play calculated TO stir up the
sympathes OF an audience TO q high de-
gree. The dashing DArtagnan, with his
bravery, ohivalry and eentlemanly gasc0nade,
is naturally the central figure OF the DRAMA and the
King, Queen and Cardinal de RicheiIeu, while they
form the motive OF interest IN the play subserve the
herolsm OF the Gascon gentleman, through ms
Qulxotic dangers and impossible escapes. The yer-
House as inc old one, which has TO the writer's
knowledge, been ON the London boards for the last
bills that 1t is the handiwork or MI. frank Mayo.
Of tins gentleman's playngln the part there Is much
dash OF the original. out those VINO have loved
the gentleman In the novel viii not ind
Mayo,s Mayo Il mpersonasaon. It I Is mlstaSe M On his his
paIt TO think that the bravo D'Aragnan Is
only Boacicault's badger WIN te IA addition ,h 81
Cardinal was Obliged to hand over the part to Mr..
Whaiiey, and those VINO nave any Idea Of the his
torlc prime minister would have smiled at the
actor, but as we cannot crticlse Mr.. Morris IN The
part, we shan let Mr, Wnalley charllaDIy alone.
not that tine part demands nuch but that those who
heard Pope read would expect q more kingy mon
young picture OF the iather OF Constance, winch
ne ~ as well as the lover Of The queen WIN the
carefully played, The mlsketeers were shadows
One or the dtniculties tnat attend such
is g ago Is ones
impossible for second class actors to I'LL them.
Ronface, the husband OF Constance, was we'll play Ell
MISS Ada Gray, Us Ann or AUSTRIA exhibited great
deal Of womanly force, aud some, but not enough. OF
MAJESTY. sne mas sympathetic voice, and win
dignity would do excellenlly well. Tne ungraIeful
part or Lady de Winter was performed with consld-
slauoe, the althrul naid OF the queen, was played
with pretty naiuet5 BY Miss Emma Cline. Tne
''Three Guartlsnlen" is well mounted ann has that
wealth OF incident and situation which appeals 10
mouse. IL IS JUS. TO say that II Was veal received,
but let Mr Mayo al more Iolish " has exuberance
II he cannot tone 1t down. sr .s.
Ainee's French Opern BOulfc.
Brightest, gayest. nveliest among the opera oouDe
companies that have been naturatzed among us
during the past few years Is Atmees sprigntly troupe
at Lima Edwin's ale Po1t des Soupirs " too, gives
IL al admirable opportunity OF displaying Its
strength The music, though perhaps at times re-
minding one Of older and better known operas, is
the very incarnation Of the fun and spirit and
berant gayety that constitute the grand merit OF or
fenbacn as q composer Take for example the petit
com scene IN the second act What can be imagined
more pretty and sparkling than the air and where
else could We find such exquistey ABSURD drollery-
dfOlery, TOO. winch never outrageS good taSte-aS
the dance which w0rtnlly finishes 1t. Aimee Is, OF
course, the strongest feature Of the company. She
seems especially designed by nature Tor great
opera bouDe artist she throws into these brilliant
trihes a grace and vitality and spirit SUCH as
charm and carry away with q reSistleSs spell
the minds OF her audience. Sne has every
thing IN her fav0r-Rreat beauty, face That
passes with ease from sentiment INTO mirtn, pleas
lug voice, thoroughly trained and kept we'll under
CONTROL perfect familiarity with the stage and Its
business, and no mean skill In that most wonderful
OF all arts the art or dressing. Her company begins
now TO snow traces too, OF thorough ana rigorous
drl There are no slips; the piece runs through It's
brilliant course with the regularity anu natural
ness" OF machine. Great taste has been displayed
IN the .make-up" OF the sceae. The hOrOOge scene
TO which we have already re4erred, Is q marvel OF
good aSe dresses ana fui nture harmOnize IN tints
and even shape with wonder ful perfection, and the
sghtness and apparent uncostllnesS OF the ma
terials employed add TO the charm. Ur "Le POnC
des 50uprs'' we nave previously spoken at length.
We can only say Iurtner rnar ike all other operas
that are worth anything II grows upon the ear at
every repetition, and one likes 1t better every tme
preciation OF the bright frlvotles OF opera oouDe
Mile. Aimee's efforts entitle her to the enthu-
siastc applause. lhe new tenor. NJ Cavite, has
arrived, and will appear for the 1rsr time next
week. ttn
"a ID g .s