The New York herald., 1877-10-02
"LA MARJoLA1NE' AT THE BROADWAY.

The removal OF Aim6e's Opera Troupe from BOOTH
Theatre to the Broadway was last night sgnazed by
the production In America for tho first time of "La
Marjolaine' ("rne Sweet Majoram') the latest and
probably the best Of the works OF Charles Lecocq
large and fashionable audience present and from
tho frequent applause elected evident that tho
opera, did in Paris, where II was performed
for entire season, has taken quick and sympa-
thctic hold upon tho public taste. The music Is
sparkling and nbounds In gems; the dialogue Is
sprightly, though sometimes broad. and several
of the situations arc keenly suggestive OF The
pranks which French authors and actors like to play
with an audience in measuring the boundaries OF pro-
priety-in other words, finding how much people will
bear before they begin blush Last night tho enjoy
ment Of this kind of experience was apparently mu-
tua although credit is to be gwen to the several
lists that they did not infringe upon the
and lend to story that Is iu II of them coloring
which IN tbs country might not have been agreeable
to contemplate the plot rs ths:- In accordance with
an old custom the Burgonaster and Aldermen OF Brus-
scls decide upon grand competition OF virtue, with
an exceptional prize lor girls undor nineteen years of
age The question to solve Is us TO a virtuous
woman her origin. her future what is a
she so? how doos che cease 10 be so9
The prize consists OF u medallion which, In tho first
act, subject OF the songs Of the
opera. Marjoaine tAimec) although married to
Paamedc (Mczieres) enters the lists but unfortu-
naely happens both Tor her happiness and hts own.
u
JSociety OF Cay Bachelors" who intrude upon his do
mestic bliss ut very nopportune time ana make him
feel uncomfortable At The discovery that nc Is married
Meanwhile It is made apparent that Marolainc Is IN
love- but virtuously, with Frtkc (Moard her foster
brother yet rcsists his most pernacous attentions,
Notwithstanding they KISS and kiss, until even the
dicnce Is surfetcd The chie OF the Gay Bachelors,
Anuabel Jouard), now appears upon the sceno with
his companions and induces the innocent Frckei TO
become OF their number Together they enter iato q
conspiracy against Paamedc, with tile view Of WIN
ning from him hts pretty wife, and that all
q
will yield to tho wtes OF Annabel within three days
Paamcde agrees TO throw open his doors and author
izc his guest TO speak TO Marolane when and whcrc
and as often as ho may please Tho aud the wife
meet the Que intent on his iniqutv and the ether
strong in her reverence OF the many medallions
Oh vrtuo winch she has Won Pcterschop
(Duplln), iho comic steward Of Palamcde, is
latter Introduces him INTO hor bcdchambcr chest,
which ~ supposed to contain treasure. There hc
Marjoaine commence the process OF disrobing,
attended by AvcIinc her maid, and from under the lid
he joins in beautiful trio. Fricke during this period
has also secured secret entrance 10 the cumbcr and
conccais himsci, but is discovered by AnnubeI aud
maze foil Eventually he Is discovered and the fact
Is made conclusive 10 The chorus OF youths, who sing
their pity that MarJoaine is no longer vrtuous Paa-
mcde, her husband determines on divorce, con-
iesscs MS loss Of the wager and surrendcrs
bis possessions Annabol enters upon tho possession
OF the property and eventually Paamodc becomes his
steward. Frickel aud MarJolanc taking naturally 10
each other take the road and tor eight are
wandering sellers OF cuckoo clocks Suddenly they
appear at festive gathering at tho old home or
Marjoiainc and Paamede aud both become known to
each other. Here occurs one Of the most beautiful
songs Of the evening, 'Coucous de Fiandren which
on the occasion Of last nigbps performance received
several epcUrcs Aimoe illustrating II in her own ud.
mirabo way aud adding II possible TO The laureis she
has already won for character singing. IL Is prob.
able that tho song viii become MS popular
as any In ia File do Madame Anyoto
or LA Grando Duchcsso" " MarjoIaine SEXES
tho opportunity to redeem her reputation,
nall given pledge OF marriage induces An na.
bel to confess TO his steward Paamode he cheated
HIM In causing separation and that he now Intends
TO marry his former WIFE, No sooner mas this TACT
been announced and her innocence bccn fully cstab-
snel than, finding herself tree she throws herself
into tho arms OF her beloved FrcKe The heart drifts
into the right place, new French marriage occurs,
the couple 20 TO Housekeeping aud the curtain falls 10
the chorus sCuckoo, cuckoo cuckoo"
From beginning TO end, the performance last even
ing was superior 10 anything that has been done by
the Aimee troupe In New York. The plot Is interest
Ing tile scenery new and admirable, the costumes
picturesquc and unique, and the music fresh and
sparkling as bottle or newly opened champagne.
IL may not be uDnterestng to state that the
main Idea Of LA MarJolaine' Is founded on the
old French provincial custom, LA Rosierc" IN which
wrcath oil roses Is the bestowed upon the most
virtuous girl IN the village Tho situation IN which
Annabel Is hidden In q box Ia La MarJolanc's room
IL IRON u story In the "Dccamcron' and In "Cymbc-
hne," while tho .'society OF Gay Bachelors Is TO be
found III a Lovcl called "cecbataire," by Balzac