National Republican., 1876-11-28
ADJUSTMENTS.
"Madame Angot's Child,

The management of the National theatre
kindly informed the public through the play
bills last evening that the engagement Of
Madame Oates English light opera troupe had
been effected at enormous expense" and we
were thus prepared, before the curtain rose, to
witness at least artists who placed a high
value upon their merits. The audience was
the largest and by far the most fashionable
that has gathered within the walls of this
fayoIite theatre this season, thus demonstrat-
ing the great popularity of the opera, and 1t
is no exaggeration to say that of the numerous
French opera bouffes La File de Madame Angot
is regarded as the chef fouore. But to
the play. One very serious drawback to
satisfactory rendition of "Opsra Bouffe" in
this country has been the worse than medi-
ocre composition of the choruses, which In
the principal airs are as essential as the leai-
ing characters. Even in New York, the
choruses of operas, the Italian opera included,
have been and still continue very bad. Man
sgers also are usually neglectful of the ward
robe allotted TO this class of artists.
The result of poor voices and shabby
costumes is that q performance, no mat
ter how brilliant in other respects, is
constantly being marred, and the au-
dieDee regard the exit of the chorus from the
stage with a sigh of relief. Last evening, how
ever, there was no reasonable ground of COM
is unusually good, with the further advantage
that some Of th> lady chorists are young and
beautiful, of which Circumstance our jeu-
nesse doree will not fail to appreciate.
We regret, however, to be compelled not to
award the came measure of praise to the
orchestra. 1t was wholly inadequate, and
when brought into competition with the for
midable chorus its notes were completely
drowned.
1t is to be hoped that in "Giroffe- -Girofa"
and "La Jolie Parfumeuse," +" the single vloiin-
ist, at least, will be reinforced. We now come
to the principal artists. Taking as a whole,
their acting and singing was the best we have
seen in opera boafie for many day. There
is something about the acting of French opera
bouffists that savors strongly of vulgarlty.
The English version of French operas and
their performance by English or American
artists is more chaste, and, therefore, is more
congenial and pleasing to refined minds. Who
could, except a Frenchman or Turk,
witness the vulgaritics of SCHNEIDER, Mon
taland, Tostee or Aimee without blush
ing! Madame Oates rendition of the
tile role wss, in the latter respect, almost
faultless, excepting, perhaps, certain abau-
don in the last act that seemed to meet the
favor of the "gods" of the gallery. Mile.
Rousseau, as Madame Lange, was excellent.
Possessed Of voice of rare sweetness and
great range, together with personal charms of
high order, Mile. Rousseau lett nOtnlng TO
he desired. Miss Clancy as Cydalisse must
not be omitted. Although discharging q Sec
ondsry part, she acquitted herself creditably.
Messrs. Laurent, Drew, Howson and Jones sus-
tanned their roles successfully, and at times
brilliantly. Madame Oates English version
of "La File de Madame Angot"i is witty and
sbounding in good hits. Some double elsenGlres
in the first act could have been omitted with
pr, fit. But lake It all in all, the Messrs.
Ford, have reason TO congratulate them
selves upon their latest acquisition, and If the
success which greeted Madame Oates COM
psny last evening continues, as we are sure it
will, they viii have no reason to complain of
the enormous" outlay they have incurred
in bringing the troupe here.
Theatre COmique.
The celebrated character actor and come
dian, Mr.. Dominick Murray, will appear to-
night in his great sensational drama in pro-
logue and four acts, entitled Escaped from
Sing Sing" The accomplished seriocomic
vocalist, Mics Minnie Lee, and the great banjo
king, Mr. j. r. Buckley, appear on the bills
for this week.