The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-22
The Vicar Of Wakefield on
the Stage.
ITALIAN OPERA SEASON.
An Irish Idyl Evoking
Saxon Tears.
POLITICAL REQUIEM OF THE EURYDICE.

"Louis XIII and diplomacy" into the shade, has
been prod Court Theatre OF Mr. wills
.Ohvia an adaptation from the vicar OF Wakefield"
One might search the files OF the Lonaon papers In
for long time back before finding such unani-
pecan Of praise and congrauation as this play
has called forth. without a single dissentent voice
.Oliv,ao has been pronounced emphatic sacce IS
and scredit English art ana the critics vary IN
opinion only lar they moro or less enthus-
aslic
Wisely. no doubt Mr. Wills has not insisted upon
completely Identifying his play with the immortal
romance OF Goldsmith; no has derived from II the
main incident only, the flight Of Olivia with the IN
principlcd Squire Thornh. and has followed the
original words only few parts Of tho dialogue.
He has dramatized the characters, introduced with
charming ingenuity ard harmonious incident,
and constr ucted, II not a thorough acting play,
certainly q fascinating dramatic poem At the
same time the and spirit of the original
preserved in all their freshness and beauty. The
result says tho Morning Post Is no nashy sensational
melodrama, but play OF the purest domestic inter
est-delicatc design, lucid in arrangement and per-
fectly idyc in the geute and quiet beauty OF
It's pervadng sentiment. Who, says anotner critic,
could toll the story or Olivia better than Mr. Wills,
poet gifted with wealth of inspired fancy, an Irish
man, and as such acvnirer OF his countryman,
Oliver Goldsmith?
AN ART PLAY.
Nothing that refined artistic taste could suggest
been omitted make the piece perfect In the first
place Mr. Hare the lessee and manager Of the Court
Theatre has strongly developed love for all that is
elevated and noble in his profession, and unites 10
the business instincts Of a manager the cultivated
taste OF literateur. When, therefore, he pitched
upon the "yicar OF Wakehsld'' the source
OF dramatic inspiration turned to those who could
assist him IN giving adequate expression to his idea.
Mr.. Wills, a dramatic poet OF the FIRST rank-among
those living, at leAst-wrote the play; Mr. Arthur
Sullivan, also Irshman, the most popular OF living
composers, added the music; Mr.. Marcus Stone, an
eminent artist. whose specially is the particular
period in which the Vicar OF Wakefield was supposed
to flourish, designed tho costumes with such scrupu-
lous accuracy that the characters look like pictures
by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Gainsborough
TRUE HISTORY.
Tho scenery Is charming; tho furniture is Of the
period, and includes an original harpsicbord made
l76s, that tho realism should be quite complete
live blackbird hangs in his wicker outside the
ower-ombowcred porch Of the vcarage.
The first scene-the vicarage garden-is perfect
marvel OF stage setting. The old fashioned, cosey
looking house, surrounded by a wealth OF
flowers, roses, honeysuckle, sunnowers and
hollyhocks; tho landscape Of MI, and val
ley dotted with snug little homesteads, the VII
lage church cmbosomed trees, the whole lit up by
fectly idyiic and thoroughly English. Scarcely less
charming is the picture, the "vcarage Paror.''
Tho stage presents "interior' which delight
tho artist with its pauelled walls quaint cupboards
and clocks and old china. Another interior repro.
sents tho .Dragon Inn" decked with Christmas gar
lands Offering In lis comfortable 1xngs pleasant
contrast TO the "winter ana rough wcathcrn outside
So much Tor the setting Of the play, which is
tempted givepriority Of DESCRIPTION from the mere
fac. that the story Is too well known 10 need any,
The acting rs might be expected, is excellent
throughout, and in the case Of Miss Ellen Terry.
the Olivia, first class. This LADY has sprung AZ
bound TO the top Of the dramatic lad.
der. For tenderness ana simple, unaffected
pathos the impersonauon has not been cquaiied Tor
many years, scene, that In which her be-
makes known his deception ner acting rose to
sole his victim she turns upon MN and, with u
quick. impulsive movement OF horror and rage,
rhe effect OF this scene-the supreme moment OF
the play-upon The audience Is electriyng; roar
very ike a deep sob, bursts IRON the spectators
Indeed, the elect OF the play upon the
audience is throughout some ng quite extraordinary,
and IL IS difficult 10 say winch - Tue more interesting
sight within the walls Of tho Court Theatre, Mr.. Wins
play or It's effect upon tho audience
The Italian operate season will soon BIO In full swing
Mr. eye, u synopsis Of whose programme sent you
some limo ago, opened at Covcnt Garden on the "a
inst, with pcr iOrmance Of Un Baiio In Maschera"
10 a pretty good house. The Prince OF Wales was
present ana chatted his acquaintance back Of
tho stage quite while. Strange TO say he failcd to
put appearance at the AdeIphi during tho eight
weeks oi admirable performances OF English opera
under Mr. Carl Rosa. Mr.. Mapieson opens MS season
at Her Majesty's Saturday, April 20 HIS announce
mert ais up column ud nail OF tho leading papers
and 10 OF "a more s.pr0mis,ng" character IMAM Mr..
eyes. who, TO tell the truth, secures his suUscrp-
lions so easily that he has lille
IMPREsARIos TROUBLES
One Is compelled 10 admire Mr.. Mspiesons perse-
veranco in overcoming tho obstacles that seem 10
place themselves In ms way. Nj. Faure and Mile.
Nilsson have sccsdod from his management. Mma
Ttens IL no more, and yet he issues prospectus
that apparently leaves nothing to be desired. In place
OF Titens Nine. Pappenheim; IN place OF Mile. Nils
shall hear Tor the lrst time IN many years
Nile. innie Hauck. and Nine. EteIka Gerster, who
established reputation here last year, is coming
back. Miss Nelson's demands are f2O0 per night
wnen she appears and these terms, though secured
by Patti are excessive IN her case TOR she fails
large audiences as she did some years
ago. Mr. hapisson understand gave "Lohengrin.
performances last season when the house contained
scarcely El00 out OF which fZO0 were due 10 Miss
Nilsson. NATURALLY enough, opera docs not pay Ut
THIRD OPERA HOUSE,.
II Is possible that another italian combination with
Miss Nilsson may be made Tor Drury Lane tnis season.
but the prima donna refuses TO reduce her terms
the possibility rs somewhat remote. Colonel Maple
son seems TO rest his hopes OF successful season
chiefly MISS HaucK and Nine. Gcrst"r, and II tue
oI his company were able to support them ell
ciently he might calculate on a good return Tor
outlay Campanin appears in the prospectus as prn-
cipa tenor, shts nrst appearance these Two years
Mime Marie kczc- Mapieson returns 70 London IN
the company to DO asked 10 wear, II not TO succeed
to- the crown and Kingdom" Tho coming Of Nine.
Papponheim Is au event looked forward 10 with much
interest; expected fall the mantle ieit by
Tiiiens
FORTHCOMING NOVELTIES.
Mr.. Mapeson promises 10 produce three new
operas. HIS first novelty viii DO Verdfs LA Forza
del Dcstino," which We are told several Important
alterations have been made under the direction OF the
composer. he second novelty, or rather revival,
viii bc Gounod's pastoral opera "Mircila," which
was gwen with great success at Drrry lane some
years ago. Mr. Aspeson LIKEWISE promises 70 give
N. Georges Bizel's "Carmen," with Miss Minnie
Haucg IN the title role Mr. eyes list Of promises
Includes this opera with Nine Patti for the prn-
cipai part Mile. Haucs (Mr. AsplesoD spells The
name incorrectly Haukj Will give besides tho
title role OF Carmen, Edth Piantaganet In
Bslfc's "ralisman,n vioictta IN tho "Iraviata,"
Zct,ina In don GiovannL" Panina In tho
"Flauto Magco," Chcrubino la the "Nozze,"
and Lconora In "Fideo." Nine Pappenhem will
give Alice In "Robert.n Leonota In "Fidelio' Elsa
IN "Lohengriu,n the Countess In the "Nozze." Alice
III "Dcr Frcscnutz" anu Valentino IN the Husuc-
nos.' for Americans, therefore, Mr. Nnreson's
re promises TO be OF more than usual interest.
Iu conclusion. II may 90 OF interest 10 that Mllc