The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-27

other composers; but It has, at least, this great
mert-one which Is certainly rare in cases OF
literary and musical theft-that 1t has not been
spoiled In the stealing. Some OF the duets too. 1t
may DE said, come as near being original as almost
ANYTHING that Olienbach has Claimed as his own,
and there Is nothing in the entire opera that not
pleasing and appropriate, and that does not help
on the effect or the scene. The dialogue, again. is
an immense improvement upon the ordinary run
OF spectacular opera. The airy vvacity, the ever
sparkling wit, the brilliant epigram that make the
original work, as it left the hands OF Sar
dOu, interesting even to read, have, indeed,
somewhat evaporated in the process oftranslaten.
But this was more or less inevitable And the
lied though the hum0r Is coarser in some places
than IL need be. There is, at any rate, a delightful
absence OF far-fetched and used-up comcalities.
Where there is joke 1t arises naturally. and is
consequently seen and appreciated by everybody in
the theatre. Thus the spectator soon comes to en-
Joy delightful consciousness that If anything Is
said worth hearing he will be able TO see 10 before
the time for laughing is over. This Is II very dar
ing innovation upon the traditions of this species
or performance.
The company includes some brilliant and great
many respectable names, and they have been very
and Miss Emma Howson both have fresh, sweet.
pleasing voices, and act with grace and spirit.
They were again and again rewarded with enthu-
siastic encores, which they well deserved. Mrs.
John Wood is an old favorite with New Workers,
ana as the good genii played with her accustomed
abandon and freedom, and made plenty OF fun and
laughter Her singing however, was scarcely
SO good as her acting, and was inaudibe
Brougham, as King Carrot has part
which requires him to say and do but little
but he makes IL as interesting possible, and got
last night more enthusiastic reception than
any one else in the cast Mr.. Craig's
Fridolin was well and carefully played
and Mr.. Stuart Robson as the necrOmancer
found another title under which to play himself
His voice Is pitched In the same key, and his tricks
OF speech and manner are the same In character,
whatever he may happen to be labelled. Just now
he Is called Truck, and by that name funny
as he would be II he were put down In the bill as
Roger de COverey or the Blue Dwarf Miss Annie
Deland. as Coloquinte, looked very pretty and
amiabc and altogether unlike bad fairy, so far AZ
appearances could be trusted. But then bad
fairies on the stage are generally the most charm
ing people to look att that is indeed,
the "correct business" OF the part or the
ladies in waiting, two of whom-Miss Bronte and
Miss Helen Strange-were debutantes and did
admirably for first appearance, 1t is enough to
say that they dress with great taste and care and
say what little they have to say with intelligence
and animation.
Before concluding a word must be said about the
great trick OF pulling the necrOmanCer to pieces
ana burning him up. 1t Is very ingenious illu-
sion and IL done neatly, and has startling effect
upon the audience. The MajiltOns also seem to pre-
serve their old popularity and were vociferously
npplauded. Taken as a whole the piece is the best
OF the kind we have had in New York, and bril-.
liantly inaugurated what VIII probably prove the
most successful management the Grand opera
House has yet enjoyed.