New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-22
AMUSENl ENTS.
The Opera House.

i OVCE0 nO00Ss
| The appearance of M, Devovod in the
character of Rigoleto marks an event in
our 0peratic season. The Interpretation of
| Nerdrs spasmOdic, uneven but brilliant and
ever popular music ia not q difficult task to
| an artist possessing the requisite voice, A
truthful PRESERVATION of such a character as
the dramatist has made Of the buffoon ia at
all times extremely difficult. The music
| and words seem never to blend. The ami.
| NAL, splenetic nature set forth by the plav.
wright is so tar below the magic strains
| that Verdi has scored. that a correct per-
sonat.on of Riy0lett0 is rendered almost
impossible.
The artist who essays the role must rely
either upon his vOcalizatiOn or his acting.
Success in either case however signal, is
but negative, when the personnel of the
piece is borne inmind. That M. Devoyod
failed>to portray Riyoletso, as the butfoOn is
supposed to have existed, is matter of graf
ulation rather than regr0t. We are not
sorry to have missed the court Jester, while
the man of feeling and dignity IN deformity
appealed to our sensibilities in glorious
song
The deep paternal love that wells up from
his heart and finds utterance in magic
tones pleads in behalf OF his black revenge.
The great volume of sound by which he
conveys his emotions to his hearers NAV be
purely natural and physical gift, but the
effect is electrical; and, after all, it is by the
effect upon us that we judge all dramatic
and lyric effort. An aesthetic analysis NAV
do very we'll as an after consideration, but
no amount of specious reasoning can prove
that acting good which fails to thrill. NJ
Dovoyod produces his effects apparently
without effort. He is even careless in his
ease, and to all intents unconscious that he
is observed.
But Rigoletto is not a part we like him in.
Apart from the transcendent quatuor of the
fourth act, we would be prone to condemn
the whole piece for anything but concert
practice. Of the singing of that superb
composition by Faure, LES Rameaux,' we
Will add only word or two. As the title
indicates, the chant or rOmanza depicts
Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem,
His pathway strewn with palms. As rem
dered by NJ. Dovoyod, the music tells
not alone OF triumph in the present but
there ia an undercurrent of premonition
that suffering is at hand. His phrasing of
the refrain, "Hosanna,' conveys the idea
clearly, and it enters into the mind as all
ideas unsteady interpreted, scarcely ad.
missble of explanation.
OF the other artists who appeared in
"R!goletto' we have already spoken in
terms OF unqualified and well deserved
praise.
Tonight occurs the benefit of NJ. Four
nier, the leading comedian of NJ. Canonge's
company. On this occasion will be pre-
with Messrs. Gueymard, DevOyod, Mayan
and Mile. Denain in the cast. Following
the opera will be performed the drama in
five acts, "Latude, or Thirty five Years of
Prison Life"
Monday evening, Meyerbeer's grand op-
era, lie Prophetic" will be given.
St. Charles Theatre.
Mr.. c. w. Couldock made his final ap-
pearance at this theatre last night, when he
again played Louis III, in the historical
drama of that name Financially. Mr..
Couldock's engagement has not been
great success, but the light houses have not
been the actors fault, for his performances
have been most enjoyable and in his pecu-
liar line. or the characters in which he is
best known, he has no superior on the stage
During his engagement here he has only
played Luhe Fielding, Louis XII, 4Shylock
and Peter P'obity. He should always be
welcome actor in New Orleans, because he
is a true artist and an honor to his pro-
fessiOn.
Tonight Tom Taylor's powerful drama
entitled "Plot and Passion" will be per.
formed by the stock company.
Tomorrow evening Mr.. F. C. Bangs will
commence short engagement, and will
produce a new drama, of the romantic and
sensational ORDER called "Le Marseillaise."
This drama embodies in its action historical
events which transpired. during the reign
of terror in Paris, from the years 1891 to
1913, and the star will play Jean LIE C,oir,
a character which he has made specially
At the memorable revival of Julius Caesar"
in New York. which included Edwin Booth
and Lawrence Barrett in its cast, Mr.. Bangs
was the Marc Antony. and shared with
those actors the praise of press and public
He is accounted good leading actor, and
should do well here.