New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-10
Benefit Of Dir. Solve.

Benefit Of Dir. Solve.
| Mr.. Solve, the second barytone OF the
opera, was the recipient Monday night OF
a very substantial benefit 1t is seldom a
manager is able to secure as talented an ar.
fist as Mr.. Solve has proved himself to ill
the position of second barytone. From the
night in which he made his debut in New
Orleans. he has steadily grown in popular
favor, both as a singer and actor. He pos
sesses smooth, sympathetic voice, of good
hmb'e. and in his upper notes a vibratorv
quality, only found where careful study has
been added to rare natural gifts.
This gentleman, we are informed, began
his artistic life as tenor forte, and as SUCH
| achieved considerable distinction in Europe;
but unfortunately lost his upper notes from
| the effects Of a severe illness. On his re-
covery, he found himself possessed of
stronger middle and lower register
as a partial compensation for the depriva-
| ton Of his tenor notes. This fact accounts.
| perhaps, for the clear. resonant quality of
! his present roir cOurcrtc, as the French call
| those clarion notes in the upper register of
good barry tone. Mr. Solve selected for his
benefit GounOd' beautiful opera of Faust"
he. taking the role of I'oicntin. which lie
sang remarkably well. His great scene is
that OF the cath of Ialentin. after the fight
against Faust and -HephistoLheleS. His act
ing of the death struggle was thrilling and
effective.
During The evening he received numerous
lnn l..
called before the curtain several times to
receive the noisy compliments of his audi
ence.
As mark of their esteem for Mr.. Solve.
Mr.. Deabranche and Nine. Durand con
sented TO sing the roles of Faust and -In,.-
why these artists were not from the start
cast in this opera and their success on Mon
day night leads us to hope We may again be
so favored. Mr.. Delabrancbe was in ex
cellent voice. and electrified the audience in
several scenes by his splendid singing and
polished acting. We have never seen him
nore becolninsly dressed than in the suit of !
maroon velvet and grey tights with which !
he is clad after lis rjuvenation by satanic |
power. Tie devil has not such bad taste, !
after all.
We dc not wonder that Faust should fail |
IN love with Marguerite sitting in her VIII
dow, if the poets Marguerite was half so
beautiful as Nine. Duranc. This char
acter Is one requiring great delicacy of per
cept ion in the artistic Who would faithfully
develope its simplicity, tenderness and
subsequent remUrse. 1t is but Justice to
Nine. Durand TO say that she succeeded
in mastering the subtle difficulties of the
to secure her success as Marguerite when
She shall have devoted more time and study
to il. 1t must be remembered that the per
Torrance Monday night was almost IN in
proInptu one; that Nine. Durand had
never sung the part in French before. and
came upon the stage almost without a re-
hearsal.
She was naturally nervous and constrain-
ID at first, but gained confidence as the
)iece developed. no doubt being in part en-
outraged by the enthusiasm manifested
after her singing of the famous Jewel SOM.
She was literally showe1ed with bouruets
he performance being interrupted for
eason by the applause. She was very fine
n the prison scene, and sang with 5mrIis-
ng power and eject the closing duct with
7unst
Mr.. Coulon as Nepd'stophelcs, sang and
cted the part we'll. HIS voice is true and
Ven throughout its whole range, and he is !
ways conscientious in attention to detail,
ut we do not think this one OF his
reat characters. The architecture OF the
nan is against his making a very striking
appearance as Ncphistophctes.
The march scene was good and if Mr..
Ialabres had permitted. it would have been
licOre1
The closing tableau deserves favorable
notice, though there was an unbecoming
nervous fear manifested by some of the
'ngels and running to and fro of black
haired mortals behind the clouds, which
'ouid be omitted without offending the
'ternai fitness OF things |