New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-11
ADJUSTMENTS.
The OPERA.

The Opera.
| Last night was marked by the debut Of
NJ. Gadilhe in the opera of "Lucie di Lam
mermoor," and Of NJ. Gerber, the leading
Juvenile comedian of the theatrical troupe.
We leave to future occasion the discussion
| of the theatrical entertainments of last
night and Sunday. As they are enacting
the same plays at the English theatre, We
would wish to institute some comparisons.
| And now for "Luci di Lammermoor.'
NJ. Gadilhe, the tenor, was the sensation OF
the evening. He is young, handsome, and
OF easy grace and gesture. His stage bust
| ness is judicrous and correct. His action is
full Of life and vigor. So much for dramatic
| powers. His voice is pure and sweet-never
harsh, never strained, always kept under
| wise control but singularly buOyant and
I resonant. He has also the merit OF distinct
| articulation, praise that we must accord
| to each and every member of this excellent
| troupe. His style Is marked by an artistic
| evenness that some hypercritically condemn
| az lacking force. The same laughable OBJ
| lection was raised against M. Gueymard;
one journal even going so tar as to condemn
as fault that artists correct conception
OF the purltanic RGOal, in that he was cold
lover.
Wiseacres may speak of the days gone
by and talk of the opera as it was ten or
fifteen years ago they may draw invidious
comparison and deal in all manner of "post
mortem" lyric triumphs but we are not old
enough to recollect very far back; and even
if We were, We Claim now to deal with the
present. The present opera troupe is one
that will grow in favor. The moderate
to the stringency Of the times. This will
not last long, however, and our music low
ing people will show by their attendance
that they appreciate real ability.
Nine. Lagye as Latcie agreeably surprised
many of those, doubtless, who had seen her
only in Les Huguenots." The cavstina in
the first act was deliberately artistic and
almost taultlessly intoned. 1t may have
been on account of the elaboration, but it
seemed to lack warmth. 1t was only the
halt-dozen bars that close the cavatina that
electrified the assembly aud cansed them
with double braves to acknowledge their
admiration.
We can not close our haaty sketch with
out word OF praise TO NJ. Lourde. This
artist confirmed the good opinion formed of
him already, and gained new triumphs.
deservedly applauded.
Tonight, "Luci di Lammermoor" again,
preceded by the vaudeville, in one act, LA
File Terrible"
St. Charles Theatre.
Miss Ada Gray repeated her PRESERVATION
of Mercy Me,rick at the St. Charles Theatre
last night, in l.. w. HarIis's dramatic YER
sion of Wilkie Collins's story, the New
Magdalen. Of the novel it will be remem-
bered the scene opens in France, in a small
town beseiged by the Germans, in 1870
Mercy Ne'rick first appears as nurse at
tached to the French ambulance corps;
Grace RoSeberry as an orphan travelling on
her way to England to seek and reside with
Lady Janet Roy, wealthy relative of her
dead father. A battle occurs wherein the
French are defeated. Grace, who has told
her purpose to Mercy Me,rick, is struck on
the head by fragment of shell, and pro-
nounced and lett for dead by the French
surgeon. Mercy, who has been an in
irlendless women, and has ambition for
an honored place in society, exchanges
clOaks with Grace, takes letters of introduce
ton which she finds in its pockets, goes to
London and presents herself as Grace Rose
berry to Lady Janet. This lady receives
her kindly, and soon becomes much at
tached to her. Here Mercy becomes &C
mires her, sues for her hand, and they
become betrothed. In the meantime the
real Grace has been resuscitated by the
German surgeon. and makes her way, after
a long illness, to London, where she meets
the Rec. Julian Grey nephew OF Lady
Roy, who becomes interested in her story,
ana presents her to his aunt, and in her |
presence she confronts the woman who is |
IN her place. But proofs of her identity |
are wanting, and no one credits her story. |
Notwithstanding her engagement to an
other, Julian Gray becomes in love with |
Mercy. To him she first confesses her |
guilt. When it appears that she is not the
real Gracc, the magnanimOus Horace breaks
his engagement and the heroic and radical
Julian marries the lady himself Lady
Janet dislikes Grace so much that che per
suades her to leave England and 60 to her
friends in Canada. Society speaks, and re-
fuses to respect Mrs Julian Grcy, the re-
pentant, although she had been loved and
admired by all as the imposter. The moral,
or rather the immoral OF the story is ex-
IRENE. The author intends, and does deal
a severe blow to the liberal clery of Eng
lard, when he Iuakes such a one knowingly
marry the Ma9lalene. So much for the
novel.
closely follows the story; too closely for
lively action, for that lags in tedious dia-
logue, letter reading and explanations of
plot known to all before the play COM
mences. Miss Gray has fine stage appear
ance and voice capable Of great pathos
Mercy Merrick is a thenkless part. at most
1t has no lights and shades of construction.
III Is all sorrow auu tearS, and however well
it may be acted, will leave an unpleasant
impression. Mr.. j. &. Steele played Julian
Gray, and played it carefully and we'll.
Mr.. p. K. Sullivan is scarcely fitted for
Holmescraf. Grace Rosebe,ry was acted by
Miss Minnie Doyle acceptably, on the |
whole. In the third act where she CON
fronts the imposter, exclaiming There she |
il ~ she makes fine point, and was de- |
servedly applauded. The same paag wfla |
be repeated to night. |
Academy of Music. |
The sparkling play of "Frou- Frou,@ Mr. |
Days translation, is well known to our |
readers, and with Miss Lucille Western as |
Gitberte it seldom fails to attract large |
audience. 1t is one of her best characters,
and she most naturally depicts the joys and |
sorrows Of the heroine. Having in view !
the fine acting of Mr.. j. A. Hearne, rs Sar-
torys, we can not cay much for Mr.. T. l.. Con |
nor, who appeared in the part last night. |
The character is not quite in the line |
in which he excells. Baron de Cambri and |
Compile de Tal,eas were we'll acted by Mr..
J. z. Kilbourne and Mr.. Z. Collins.
"Frou-Frou" is announced again for to-
night. Wednesday evening Miss Western
will appear in her startling personation of
Nancy Sykes.
The cultivation of oranges in East Florida