The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-07
ssCAL AND D1R FANATIC.
'The bohemian Grip bV the EngIish Opera
Troupe.

''Fhe bohemian Grip by the English Opera
Troupe.
Last evening an unusually large and brilliant
audience assembled at the Academy of Music,
60 witness the first performance of q short sea-
son of English opera. There was scarcely
vacant seat in the immense building, and the
enthusiasm of the audience was fairly proper
tionate to its size. Balfes melodious opera of
The Bohemian Girl of which Philadelphia au-
diences seem never to tire, was presented in ad-
mirable style. Indeed, 1t has seldom been per-
formed more satisfactorily. Mr. Bowler is not
as good 'Thaddeus" as Mr.. Castle, nor is Miss
Rose Hersee quite as good in airline as Mrs.
Bernard, but they were both satisfactory last
evening. Miss Hersee indeed, sang charmingly,
and Mr.. Bowler appeared TO better advantage
than usual. He is still overly robustious at
times, but his manner has been toned down in a
perceptible degree, and in singing "The Fair
Land of Poland" he was especially effective.
Mr.. Campbelrs "Count Arnheim" is so well
known that it is only necessary to say that it
was quite good as usual. Mr.. Seguin's
''Devilshoof" is a fine piece of buffo singing and
acting, but we would advise him to return to
the old joke about paradise Lost; I'm glad I've
found it." Miss Fannie Goodwin, who appeared
as the "Gipsy Queen" shows marked improve
ment, and is gradually giving her part the
prominence that it merits.
Between the second and third acts, o short
concert programme was introduced, and with
general satisfaction. Mr.. Drayton sang with
excellent dramatic effect, ''rhe Wolf," by
Shields and Miss Jennie Won Busk was intro
duced to Philadelphia audience in difficult
Nightingale trill. Her execution of this was
admirable, although her voice is far from being
a strong one. But what it lacks in strength is
fully compensated for by its smoothness and
clearness. Then followed the sensation of the
evening, amedley on the violin by pretty little
bit of humanity styled "Americus" 1t
is to be regretted that the management
have lapsed into the circus style ia
naming this Infant phenomenon" instead of
giving his true cognomen. He is enough of an
artist to appear on the bills in a more digniied
way. The child is barely able 10 hold diminu-
tive violin in his infantile hands, but he handles
it most admirably for one so young, and plays
with method, grace, and ease. He was three
times encored, and during his performance went
from grave to gay, from lively to severe, with
a composure that was In itself worth witness
ing. The house was taken by storm and the
little fellow made determined effort to merit
the applause he received an effort in which he
was fairly successful. He is announced to ap
pear again this evening, having volunteered for
'sThe Old Mau ofthe NIountain" mt the Chestnut
The bold crusaders 'it into" the Saracens in
fine old-fashioned style last night at the Chestnut,
to the immense delight of at least o very large
proportion of very large audience. The cru
saders INDUCED in considerable tall talking that
would not have discredited the traditional
Mississippi latboatmen, but they also did some
hard fighting when matters came to climax
..f kl,A No.
tain, "Saladin," and the other inddels, and the
walls of Jerusalem were carried in really gallant
style. There were also some love passages be-
tween "Bohemond," the King of Jerusalem, and
''Almea," lovely Saracen, who, as far as we
were able to make out, was the niece or daugh-
ter or some near relative of that terrible
old fellow, "the Old Man of the Mountain" !"
'Almea" nobly saved the life of 'Bohemond"
when he was about to perish by the dagger of
one of the assassins in the employ of the "Old
Man." but-as, according to our reading of his
tory and romance, ii always happened to these
fair Saracens-she was deserted by "Bohemond
for a Christian maiden "Almea," unable to
bear this wrong in a sufficiently philosophical
spirit, becomes Christian and retires to a con-
vent. Perhaps Mr.. Foster the author of the
drama, had historical authority for this but, to
our fancy, it was a rather tame ending OF
'tAlmea's" career, when she might as well have
slain herself at the feet of her recreaat lover,
and thus secured an additional round of APP
plause from the galleries. In addition to the
above there was also a comic love episode in
which a Christian maiden was pursued
by some dozen or two of admirers
one of whom, "Gogo," chief cook, farrier, black
smith, and man-of-aIl-work for the Christian
army, furnished large proportion OF the fur
of the piece. AS piece of dramatic construc
tion, The Old Man of the Mountain is far iron
perfect, and it is rather difficult at times for th
spectator to keep the thread of the argument
but as purely spectacular drama 1t has eonsl
derable merit as it affords excellent opportuni
ties for fine scenic effects, splendid dresses, ant
gorgeous appointments. If is from this poin
of view, of course, that 1t is to be judged, AM
as spectacle The Old Man OF the Mountai
has many attractions that will entitle 1t to tn
atten tion of the play-going public.
has been placed upon the stage i
very liberal style, the scenery, dresses, an
spectacular appointments being remarkabl
riob and alaOant Last night there were som