New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-29
kMUSRn1RNrS.
The Opera.

opportunity to make more extended no
tice of the performance that took place on
Monday evening. ~.
Concerning the piece itself it is hardly
necessary for Us to give an analyels OF the
plot as most Of our readers are doubtless
familiar with this great production OF Mey-
erbcer In order, however, to more clearly
indicate the many excellencies developed
nv M Devoyod and the other artists, a
brief ontlins of the main incidents may not
be out OF place.
TIL. time Of the Supposed action Of the
drama is the year l497. The Portuguese
admiral, Vasco de Cana, just returned from
voyage OF discovery, Is introduced at the
Portuguese court. He solicits the aid Of
the king IN order 90 further prosecute and
Derfect his discoveries He brings into the
presence of the council Selika and Neiusho,
two slaves brought from Africa, but they
refuse to answer any questions concerning
their native land. The request of Iasco is
refused, whereupon he insults the council
and is sent to prison. ISeih0, enamored OF
her master, follows him and attends him in
his imprisonment. the slave NeluskO. who
loves the queen, Selika, resolves to assassin.
ate yasco. and for that purpose seeks him
in his cell. He is frustrated IN his design
by the watchfulness and devotion of Setika.
Tasco, however, loves Hls., the daughter Of
the kings chief councillor. To procure the
liberation of her lover Inc. yields 20 her
fathers command and marries Dom Pedro.
Released from prison, 'asco takes charge
of an EXPEDITION of discovery and conquest.
Don PedrO takes command OF vessel in the
expedition, and takes as pilot Nctasko, the
slave.
.yelusIo purposeiy directs the vessel ont
of her course. tdscO quits his avn vessel
TO warn Don Yedro of his danger, but his
warning comes too late. The ship is now
on the shore, and all on board fall into the
hands of the Indians. Selika, the queen, is
recognized by her people and resumes her
sway. TO save TdscOS life she declares
that he is her husband. and compels telushO
to attest ,heg avowal. Finding, however.
that Tasco's love for Inc. is still undated,
.Selika sacrifices herself for her lover and
sets V0scO and Ine- free. The broken
hearted savage but loving queen then seeks
death beneath the deadly ManchasOrel tree.
Nelusko shares the tate OF his beloved
queen.
Upon this theme Meyerbeer has con.
structed what to a Southerner must, al
ways appear as the most charming actlng
opera ever written.
From the first scene when the bold navi-
gator Tusco de CANA asks his sovereign's
aid to secure for Portugal the fruits OF his
discoveries, to the last scene in which he
receives life and liberty from Queen Selika,
the interest of the piece never once droOps.
Of NJ DevOyod, as NeluskO, we ac-
knowledge our inability to speak with full
Justice after witnessing only one represen-
tation. Those who had seen this artist in
other roles naturally expected a mastery
performance, but his most ardent admirers
fell short in their anticipations of the great
reality of his portrayal DevoyOd vevities
the character of NeluskO; he does not play
it nor act it, he lives it over again. For the
time being the barbara chieftain stands
before us, untamed and untamable, rude
and revengeful, but grand and ennObled by
his all-absOrbing love for his queen. His
naughty defiance OF the council, in the first
act, and the savage sullenness that prompts
his refusal to tell aught Of his native cline.
are well portrayed by Devoyod. His thirst
for his rivals blood, and his attempt at the
assassination of VaScO, as shown in the sec
Ond act, reach the highest point of tragic
art His submission to Selika and his ten
der appeal to her in the grand air, "Daugh-
ter of Kings" place him in the very fore
most rank of lyric artists. 1t is perhaps,
however, in the third act that Devoyod
achieves his greatest triumph NeluskO,
having pilOted the vessel upon the rocks,
where she will fall an easy prey to the hos
tile Indians. sings to the unsuspecting sail
ors the cavatina, "Adamantor, Giant of the
Tempest" The mingled and conflicting
emotions of the savage are well depicted.
Hope and Joy give an exultant strain to his
song and the success of his revenge by his
craft and cunning makes him merry, but it
is tiendish merrlment, finding vent in a
hoarse, barbaric laugh.
Nine. Fursch-Madier, as the Queen Seiika,
was pleasant surprise in the completeness
of her success. There were some who
thought she lacked the power to sustain SO
tragic character, but Nine. Nader, be-
sides possessing wonderful talent, is unre-
hitting in study, and does not hesitate even
to destroy her beauty and lose her identity
to faithfully enact a character. Nine.
Lagve, as lne-, was graceful and pleasing.
NJ Gadilhe, as Tasco de CANA, was notice
ably good in the first act, the brusquerie of
the hardy sailor being well maintained. nj.
Gadilhe has powerful and resonant voice
His style is vigorous and dashing, too mu, b
so, perhaps, in some scenes, where pathOs
and tenderness are the evident meaning of
the composer. To-day at the matinee will
be given, for the first time this season, La
File du Regiment" The one act comedy,
Lies Femmes Qui Pleurent," will conclude
the entertainment. 1t should be borne in
mind that the matinee performance com.
mences at twelve o'clock precisely.
Varieties Theatre.
It is notable and pleasing fact Go record
that the audiences assembling at the Varie.
ties are nightly increasing in size. The
house was crowded at the matinee per.
Torrance yesterday. and last evening many
more people were present than on the open.
ing night. The play of "Hamlet." which
has always been delightful and puzzling TO
lovers of Shakespeare. was the attraction.
OF all plays, it has been oftenest performed
and most read, until all are familiar with
its text and action. MIR. Lawrence Barrett
played Hamlet in q manner worthy OF all
praise. If he is not the best actor in America.
as his friends claim for him, he certainly will
be within the next five years. if health and
strength are spared him. Edwin Booth
has evidently reached his highest point OF
excellence. while Mr.. E. l.. DavenpOrt's en-
gagements have frequently been inter.
rupted of late years by i'll health. Mr..
Barrett has only those two gentlemen on
our stage to outstrlp IN the struggle for
tragic fame. and he is sure TO win the race.
Taken as whole, his Hamlet is something
we'll nigh perfect His support was generally
good. The Polonius of Mr.. Sutton might be
improved. Mr.. =. q. Rose. who is making
rapid strides in his profession. was the Hora-
ito. We have had occasion heretofore 20
remark upon the excellence of Miss Haw.
tborne as Ophelia. She played the part
carefully and well.
This evening Mr.. Barrett will appear in
his famous PRESERVATION of Hes,ri de Lo1c'
dt1r in the Dukes Motto.''
81. Chaflee Theatre.
Zip" continues to draw good houses at
the st. Charles. and will continue on the
boards for the present. Miss Lolita and
Mr.. E. A. Locke in their original characters
of Zip and Philosophy jack are pleasing
and amusing and others in the cast use
their best efforts to make the play success
full Mr.. Frank Evans is good actor. and
materially strengthens the cast. Mr.. w. A.
Whitecar plays very well indeed rather
difficult dialect part Jules Galletti, an
Italian. Miss Minnie Doyle has not much