The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-04
A M u S E M E N 7 S.

ACADEMY OF MUsIC-''LA DAME BLANCHE"
The Opera Comque Paris unique in its repertoire
and its Interpretation of works written for it, The
greatest musical minds of France have contributed
ward it and some Of the most renowned singers have
won their cniefest laurels on its boards But the
works written for the Opera Comique with very few
exceptions entirely UNACCEPTABLE for other stages
and especially for the German. 'La Dame Blanche"
In any other language than the for which it is In
tended, cannot be The story ridiculous
and childish as that OF Gle Songe de Mutt d'Ete,"
OF Thomas or many others written for the Opera
Comique- The composer is OF the most
eminent musicians that France has produced
Francois Adrien Boiedieu; but in this work he
is but seve mitator of Mozart In his other operas,
Jean de Paris" 'Caliph of Bagdad" and 'Le Chaperon
Rouge" there Is moro originality and individuality
The first representation OF LA Dame Blanche" took
place fifty years ago under the direction of Pix6recourt
The opera was great success, and with such ad-
mirable representative of the role George Brown
as Roger IN after years. its popularity in Paris
shaken. The Scotch song tRobin Adair,n IS intro
duced with considerable effect in We have already
spoken OF this opera at length during the first Wache
season in this city some years ago. The cast last
night was as follows:-George Brown, Mr. Wach-
Kuster; Gaveston, Mr. Fassbender; Dickson SON
Mr.. Mlder There was considerable cutting of the
on which Boiedieus opera is founded to some extent
so far as the music is concerned. Wacntel made ono
genuine musical hit The lovely aria in the second act
'Viens Gentile Dame, % which is possessed of
GUS melody attractive enough to make the success of
any opera, was delivered by Wachtel with purity of
information and warmth OF expression that compen-
stated for many shortcomings in other parts of the
opera Nine Papponhem sang her aria commend
ably, and Mile Kuster was alike fortunate in
her role The others were extremely unsatisfactory
The chorus and orchestra TO be well trained and
Intelligent aud Mr. Neuendor1's baton had disciplined
members TO respond TO IT, But there is little doubt OF
the want OF judgment shown in the selection of an
opera that Is entirely at variance with every received
essentially French and should be presented
any other form. Mr.. Wachte will certainly employ his
time before the American public to more advantage in
other roles than that Of George Brown.
'oTHELLo' AT THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.
Shakespeare's tragedy, "othello" was produced a.
tho Fifth Avenue Theatre with Mr.. D. II. Har kns in the
title role and Mr.. Booth as Iago The minor parts
acceptably filed but the of the perform
centred in the two actors have named. Mr.
Booth never played the crafty Iago better than
last night, and doubt II he ever before
played 1t to excellent 0thello Mr.. Harkns'
dering Of the Moor was surprise and gratihca-
ton, and his performance last night will add i'm
mensey to his reputation a painstaking and
forcible actor in OF the most difficult roles
OF the tragic stage In his reading OF the lines well
in his Interpretation OF the part he fell to
mediocrity, and in of the he stood out
boldly master in his art This notably the
in the in the third act whore Iago works
upon the jealousy OF the Moor to make Othello the
| murderer he subsequently becomes In this scene Mr.
| Booth is always strong and last night he seemed
stronger than before. There cadence in his
| tones which might convince OF cooler blood
than otheo Of lagos honesty and love- and his dig
nifty of demeanor and the beauty and simplicity OF his
gestures only incidents round and perfect per-
| formance An 0thello accomplished Mr.. Booth
himself would have found it difficult to sustain the
role against such Iago, and yet in this trying ordeal
Mr. Harkns succeeded in doing himself great honor.
His energy and his anger were alike unaffected and his
with the great bursts of feeling to which he seemed TO
/ yield overwhelming necessity. He looked the
/ part In manly vigor and while portraying both the
love and the hate of the jealous Moor he invested the
part with heshandblood realism which was in itself
! one of the greatest charms of his acting. OF Mr..
Booths ago IL is unnecessary to speak further than to
say that excellent II shone with peculiar us-
tire account of the unusual excellence Of the 0theo,
the two artists being fos to each other, as actors
ought always to be in the portrayal of the brightest
and best roles in their art. The play will be
peated this evening, Mr. Booth playing othelo and
Mr. Harkins assuming the part OF Iago. Ii is fortu-
| nate however, that another opportunity will be af
! forded at the matinee Saturday for seeing the
younger artist in the role in which he last night made
! such an unqualified Miss Jefrreys- Lewis
| the Desdemona- Her performance not a great
| ono but she showed growth in her personation of
| Shakespearan heroines and she well received.
The scenery and stage settings in keeping with
the reputation of the theatre in this respect and the
audience was large and brilliant