The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-13
MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES.

MUSlCAL AND THEAIklCAL MUIES.
The 'Twelve Temptations" is to be produced at
tho Bowery Theatre this evening. A strong cast
and excellent appointments are promised. fstt
Dan Bryant is still playing 'That Practical
Joke" which, by the way, s practical joke that
ought never to have been played at all. and would
not have been had there not been murder In the
air. ,t, ,,s ,-t.. W. as.s o3 gIe|
Tho Park Theatre, In Brooklyn, was reopened on
Saturday evening, after week devoted to reno
waiting It, The company from the Fifth Avenue
Theatre viii perform there during the week, In
"False Shame" and "Married Lfe.n, 1eer fzaf
The famous tenor, Brignol, seems to be as well
understood in Europe as here. A correspondent
OF the SWISS Times, writing from Milan, says, IN
strangely natUe way, that the indisposition that
recently prevented the tenOr's appearance at La
Scala was 'fn no way connected with throat or
voice." Yet, to judge from tue oltrecurrence Of the
maady, it must be organic. a DE Gao oc
Miss Lie Clercq's engagement at the Globe Theatre,
Boston, closed on Saturday night, and "Pygmalion
and Galatea" gives place to 'The Ticket OF Leave
Man, in which Mr.. W. J. Florence is to play Bob
Brierly-a part with which his fame as an actor is
most intimately Identified. Miss LIE Clercqs Galatea
was an excellent performance, but the peculiar
twist in her nose Is not after the Grecian order
made her debut In opera on the 18th ult at the
Teatro Pagliano, In Florence. The opera was
Bellini's "Romeo and Juliet" The young lady,
who is described as being very handsome, seems
to have disarmed the critics. Beyond saying that
her voice. though exquisitely sweet, IL not pow
erful, all OF them praise her performance. e
'Africa," having been played with success ct
the Theatre Comique, is soon to be followed by
new piece America" and play Of the same kind
called "Spaniards" ia also promised. The reputa-
tion Of this theatre has much improved under the
present management and 1t could be still further
elevated, without destroying its variety character.
by making these closing comedies, as we may call
them, for want of better name, OF higher order.
The season Of opera boal6e in this city was
brought to close at the Olympic Theatre on
Saturday, when "Les Brigands" was again per-
formed. The company leaves the record that
without Mile. Aimee it would have been an utter
failure, her good singing, piquancy and vivacity
saving 1t from that fate. NJ. Juteau will be remem-
bered as o singer without anything but Intention
and an actor OF respectable acrobatic attachments.
NJ Duchesne, who Is nearly as remarkable as the
Pere Duchesne that Camille Desmoulins edited In
the days of the French Revolution has our sincere
sympathy in his present condition OF voice and
figure. OF the rest silence Ia kindness.
A movement for low prices is about to be made
"
praiseworthy in every aspect Believing that full
houses at popular prices will yield greater return
than under the old system Of exclusion from the
theatre wrought by high charges for general ad-
mission and reserved seats, the management has
determined to cut down the former one-haf and
the latter to City cents. Consequently "stand-
ing room" in the Olympic will cost but fifty cents
hereafter and reserved seats may be had for
81. Admission to the family circle Will be
only thirty cents. 1t required courage to inaugu-
rate this new policy; but It's success which cannot
be doubted, will compel reduction OF prices at all
our leading places Of amusement. 1t Is only neces-
sary to prove that as good an entertainment can be
given at lower scale Of prices to make the ex-
ample OF the Olympic generally acceptable.
"Atherley Court" Mr.. John Brougham's new
play, has been running week at the Union Square
Theatre, drawing good houses. 1t is very happily
put upon the stage, and everything which decora-
ton and the strength Of the company can for do It
has been done. But the heavy atmosphere of crime
which hangs over the piece cannot be lifted sum.
GENTLY to make 1t an attractive comedy. or the
acting we can speak in heartier terms. If not in
unqualified praise. Mrs. Clara jennings as Elsie,
the wife Of vscount Lynton, plays very well, but
fails to invest the simpler character OF Elsie, the
farmers daughter, with the emotion incident to
the part. Mr.. Mark Smith makes hearty Farmer
Grace, but Miss Plessy Mordaunt's ideal Of what
q farmers wife ought to be is unlike anything that
ever was seen In Kitchen. Mr.. E. Lambs Luke
Sharp differs little from the other parts ne has
played this season. The best bit of acting In this
play, as In "Agnes," is the slight but skful touch
Mr.. Mackay gives to the picture. As the imbecile
and forgetul Earl OF Atherley he Is exquisite, and
Miss Emily Mestayers Countess is worthy Of com.
mendati0n.
"The Alhambra" a new spectacular, comic play,
-
evening. The managers announce that 1t is "a
spectacular legend" whatever that may be. The
story OF the play Is that of Washington Irving's
Legend Of the Three Beautiful Princessesn and
about this has been woven border OF fairy in1u.
ences and burlesque humor. The legend, as told |
by Irving, is OF the three beauteous daughters OF
the Moorish King Mohamed FL Hayzari (the left
handed. At their birth the fates provide that |
they shall pass their lives before reaching the |
plenitude Of womany beauty in calm happiness,
but when some of the dark-hued knights OF |
their fathers court should desire them for wives |
they would, under the potent influence OF love |
for three Christian knights, desert the palace for
homes among the Christians. Every endeavor is !
made by the King to render ineffective the ordain.
ment OF the fates. When approaching the periods
Of danger to their hearts from the white brewed
cavaliers the Prncesses are shut up In a castle
and not allowed to emerge from 1t. But, alas for
all precautions The King, returning from war,
brings with him. as prisoners, three Christian
knights, whom he unwittingy puts to labor in the
garden Of the Princesses' castle. The result, OF
course, Is unhappy for the King. Love disregards
the rough garb of the laborers and the Processes
elope with them. Out Of such material, with
proper dramatic garnture good spectacular play
can be made, and II "The Alhambra" has any merit
It is sure OF q "good run"