The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-25
M lLIT A r | A.
Taglioni's Imperial Ballet Of the Franco-Prussian
Wharf.-The Fair Sex in Regimentals-Em
peror Williams Soldiery on the Stage
Francs-Tireurs and Partisan CO.
Fascinating Beauties
in Hussar Uniforms.
BERLIN, May 10, 1872.

BERLIN, may ~ 1877.
The author of this new pantomme, Paul Tagoni,
belongs to the far-famed family Of photographers
emanating from Philip Taglion, the renowned
dancer, born 1777, In Milan, and who recently died,
at the extreme age OF nnety-nve years, in his re-
gal villa on the shores OF Lake Como. His daughter
and granddaughter, the Maries Taglioni, have
earned for themselves the reputation OF the most
distinguished danseuscs Of their time. Mary, the
younger daughter OF Paul, left the stage in 1865
to become the wife OF the Austrian Prince Joseph
Wndischgrdtz. Paul Tagioni, born in Vienna in
1908, and for more than twenty years master OF the
Royal Ballet in this capital is the composer Of the
popular productions: -"Undine" ..Satanella,n
''Flck and Fockn "Sardanapalus,n '.Gllinor,n
'Morgano," Electra "Don Parasol,' and numer-
Gus others. The late war and the annexation Of
Alsace and Lorraine inspired this
GRAND PANTOMIME, 'MILITARIA,"
which, true to its title presents thrilling episodes
Of military campaign, and naturally partakes OF
a higher patriotic character. This ballet particu-
larry clarifying Germany's triumph over France, it
is not surprising that IN order 10 effecualy put 1t
in scene, the royal, or rather, imperial ned,tre dc
ballet was given carte blanche to draw upon the
garrison for men, horses and all other requisites.
The court and the nobility, well as the nbit,tes
OF the ballet mostly consisting Of the officers of the
army and the swes and handles OF the upper ten,
looked, as matter OF course with intense interest
to the first performance. During the several re-
nearsas we noticed in the rear OF the Opera House
whole companies OF soldiers cavalry and infantry,
arms stacked in the open streets, and waiting
with their respective bands of music, to perform
their part on the stage within. Imagine the fine
chance OF an mpresario who has at his disposal,
not only an imperial subsidy Of more than one hun
dred thousand thaers annually, but number OF
first class, leading danseurs and danseuses,
mighty skilled corps de ballet and who, an occa-
sion like this, may call out the
ENTIRE MILITARY DEPARTMENT
to enhance the effect OF performance. AS for intri
cacy In this new pantomimc there Is none, and one
can happily dispense with libretto explaining the
plot as Is generally needed in other ballets of Tag
lioni. Real war scenes aptly blend with public and
private episodes in French village taken by the
Germans On the rising OF the curtain one sees
cosey Alsatian village nestled In green hills and
forests with mountains in the background The
good people assembled on the public square seem
agitated. They might Just then have heard Of the
terrible defeat at Woerth. kilograms placarded;
their contents create fear and detection in sOmc
fanatic Jury IN others. Jean first pantomme, Herr
Guemin), the son OF the nnkeeper Widow Cri-
quet, puts himself at the head of crowd armed
with cudgeIs and flint guns, by the lively brandsh-
ing OF which they exhibit their bravery. The Mayor,
M NJ, de Fremont, with his beautiful daughter Ma
thilde miss Selling, are seated on their porch As
the patriotic passion of Jean and his crowd IL
nearing its climax it is suddenly interrupted by
the hills. Presently several mounted lancers
emerge from the woods and rush at full speed down
hillside into the village, scattering the crowd
right and left and charging with their steeds close
up to the fo0tlights This is greeted by storm OF
applause from the crowded house, and great merri-
ment at the ridiculous panic OF Jean and his com
RACES. more lancers are seen approaching, while
large bodies or infantry, headed by bands, march
with the utmost precision into the village. Again
the Opera rings with applause at the appearance OF
these well-drlled and grand specimens OF soldiery.
Quartermasters are seen consulting with the
Mayor; the oldest villagers are summoned, and the
inhabitants make sour faces at the ntdudits
P'ussiens billetcd upon them. Sentinels and
pickets are everywhere stationed one of
Inc officers second pantomime. Herr I;lase
MANN is quarercd with the Mayor and falls
In love AZ first sight with Arathildc. While she
and the stricken Prussan officer sup on the balcony,
the servant maid, Anna Marie solo danseuse,
Miss Lenoir), sweetly smiles upon his Corporal
assists her in drawing water from the wen and Is
rewarded by his charmer with moonlight dance.
Jean as Jealous as patriotic discovers his rival;
the fantastic dance OF the lovers moving al their
shadows between and behind them, not daring to
attack the Corporal, ut whom he makes blind
passes, while he himself receives untold kicks and
Guns
The music OF this trio polka, as well as all the
orchestral pieces, IL extremely beautiful and
composed by Herte from whose pen Is nearly ali
the music To the balets of Taglioni.
THE DELIGHTFUL SITUATION
OF the two loving couples Is interrupted by the re-
entess exigencies OF war. Lancers suddenly gal
lop to the officers, quarters bringing marching or
ders, the Dugle call sounds, the men rush into file
all this with, not stage, but actual military drill
The oficer now takes arectionate leave OF Mathildc
and In manner so touching that the Mayor seems
seriously displeased. Anna Marie appears at her
garnet window, weeping the loss OF her corporal.
lively scene now ensues. The corporal, having
made his way to the attic TO take leave OF MS new
love, IL fastened In by Jean and comrades. he Is
pursued to the roof the house Is scaled and, after
u stout defence, he Is compelled to seek SAFETY by
disappearing through Anna Marie's window. Leav-
ing the valiant corporal to his tate In the sweet
hearts chamber,
THE SECOND ACT
opens with public fair eniivened by the usual &C
complishmenfs Of booths, circus, shows, &C, at
tended by large concourse OF young and old
Alsacians In their national garb and intermxcd
with Prussan soldiers smoking, drinking, dancing
ana apparently on the best Of terms with the
Alsacan maids. Amid the general jollihcation the
circus tent opens and thirty clowns the e,eres OF
the corps de ballet, execute gr0tesque dances.
riding MASTER with whip OF rosebuds In hand,
leads forth four superb steeds tw0leRged ones