The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-20
A II U S E M E N rs.


hrand Opera House.
After months Of patient preparation the grand
spectacular drama of "Lalla Rookh" was for the
first time produced on Monday evening. before
crowded house, such as this theatre has rarely
known since the days OF the Twelve Temptations"
We nave already skeched the story and the general
features OF the piece, and can now, therefore, de-
svote ourselves exclusively to the spendOrs OF the
scenery and dresses and appointments and the
merits OF the cast. II is indeed mainly as gorge.
GUS spectacle that ''Lalla Rookhn challenges the
favor Of the public. Never before-at any rate In
America-was money poured out with such
reckless and lavish proiusion TO eclipse
all former traditions OF scenic magnincence. Real
gold leaf ana delicate tinted silk and genuine en-
brOidery have to great extent assumed the place or
tnsel anu coored paper and Dutch metal and the
result is that some OF the viii bear looking at
untl the eye grows weared with their gorles with
out rousng a sense OF the hollOwness and MAKE
believe of the gtterlng display. Take the banner
scene In the fourth act The painted background,
OF ITSELF Is study, and Is evidently Q carefully
realistic copy IRON some Eastern city. There SLOW
~ hles In across the bridge an apparently unend-
Ing procession OF men with banners, and
though they Il up the entire stage and are
numbered by the score no two banners are bla-
ZOned with the same design, ana glimpse through
strong opera glass Will convince one that the i'm
preston he has from the first, that II Is real gold
and satin upon which he Is gazing. Is well founded.
The spirit and tone OF an oriental pageant have here
With wonderful fidelity and the effect upon the au-
dience was very nattering. There was momentary
OF applause. Nor Is this scene the cu
mlnating glory OF the piece. There are half
dozen others equally novel ana equally
splendid perhaps indeed, the encampment by The
Lake Of Pearls ana the Feast or Lanterns are even
liner. The costumes and the general mounting OF
the piece are all upon the same scale oil careessly
costly magnncence. No praise can be too high IN
return Tor such generous confidence In the apprecl
alive good taste vi the public.
The great lault OF the piece on Monday was that
there was grea. deal too much Of u, but promise
has Deen made that the dialogue shall be unspar.
lngly cut and reduced to reasonable proportions.
Perhaps, 100, dem0razed by the example OF the
"Black CrOOK,n there were some who thought that
the introduction OF little variety business" would
pleasantly break the mOnOtOny OF constant spendOr,
and serve as an agreeable O to this almost ceaseess
carnival OF limbs ana lime-llght. However, "Lalla
Rookhn VIII doubtless journey from Delhi to Blu
charla night aller night. for months to come, and
pOet-klng Aliris, her adventures will have sus-
tanned such notifications as to make them In every
Unlike most pieces OF It's kind. Italia Rookh" af-
fords fair opportunities TO the player. Lalla RoOkn
Chalis, who plays with the ease, spirit and
grace OF an experienced actress. LisKar the
pars Of a of 0e Sg
pleasantly nlled by Miss Emma CINE and Miss
some pretty and striking duets and songs. Mr. j..
b. Stndley was very fierce and imposing Ziraftl-
CHAN, and received the voclferous applause OF the
''gOds" III the family circle. Mr.. Becks, Aliris
or FeramOrs, made t0lerably good lover, though Il
lady would, we THINK have scarcely thought MIN
sufficiently passionate and ardent; but, OF course,
the part compels him to be distant ana respectful.
Mr. Thomas Norris Fadladeen was pomDously hui
mOrous and the drunk" scene in the last act put the
house into ecstasies OF laughter Chp Clap, the
crer, was well played by Mr.. Fiske. Among the
ballet Mile. De Rosa, OF course carried of the PALM
and the precision and ease with which she executed
the most difficult steps earned Tor her the delighted
applause OF the house. Mile. Albertina also danced
admirably and mas wonderfully improved upon her
last efforts IN New York, though she even then won
the warmest praise. Miles. MaZZerl and Lusuardi
are the remaining premieres, and are graceful and
accomplished artlStes.