The daily gazette., 1879-09-23
Opera Bou he.
A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCE AT THE
OPERA HOUSE, LAST EVENING.

"A DnLtohIFub PERFORMANCE AT THE
OPERA HOUSE, LAST EVENING.
Charles Lecoc certainly knew what
he was about when he arranged the OPP
era lie Peti Due or the Little Duke.
Ihe opera was performed at the Opera
house, last evening, for the first time in
this city, and those who failed to see and
hear j., cannot imagine what an excel
iont treat they missed. Those who were
present, should certainly thank manager
FORD, for presenting them with such a
delightful perfOlmanc by such an ex-
cellent company.
The music is we'll arranged there be-
ing nothing in it to crate harshly upon
the ear, and further It is SO light and airy
that 1t is not difficult to understand.
Ihe plot is very simple, and is easily
understood. 1t consists of two you,,g
lovers, who are cousins, and who marry
at very early age, the Little Duke be.
ing but eighteen al d the Little Duchess
but fourteen. Upon Earning of the
marriage the parents of the children sep
arate them for two years and send them
to school. In the meantime the Duke
|-is appointed Colonel of the Ninth ORA
goons, active command upon learn
ing this lie visits the academy where his
young wife is confined, and disguised as
a market girl, gains admittance TO the
academy and rescues his wife.
just as he is about to leave the acade-
my, he is ordered to the front and is
obliged to leave his wife. In the last
scene, jdst after winning battle, and
after ordering the camp to be cleared, he
retires to his tent to rest, but in short
time he Is visited by his wife, who es-
capes from the academy and they are
| overjoyed 10 meet one another. The
visit OF his wife TO the camp which is
against orders, is found out, and for dis
Obeying his own order his sword is de.
manded but is returned TO him again, IN
consideration of his valor on the battle
field, and the opel ends with the hus-
band and wife happily united.
The company was the best that has
ever appeared in this city in opera boufie
and the large and fashionable audience
that was present showed their apprecia
tion by hearty applause.
Miss Marie Bockel, made very fas.
cinatiHg Little Duke. Her singing wa.
not only Of high standard but She is al
excellent actress. Miss Belle Macken
see not only made handsome Littl
Duchess (for she is handsome,) but sh,
succeeded in capturing the audience by
her vocal powers, and child-like acting
There was nothing studied about her a
she seemed to be perfectly at home. NJ
wonder that half of the young men O
Philadelphia went wild over her, whel
she appeared in that city i'm the origina
rote Of Hebe in II. M. s. PinUore
Mrs Jane Germon, made a delightful
ideal School Direetress. She is em
inenty fitted tor the part, Mr.. Georg,
Denham as Frimouse the tutor was Ell
tirely satisfactory. He is not only a GOO
singer, but is capital ,median, and hi
appearance upon the stage, was the sis
nal for Laughter, as long as he remaii
ed. Mar. Charles Hagendorp as u
Montldndry soldier; and Mr.. job
Richer. as bernard an officer were we
up in their parts. Taking it altogethe
it will be some time before Wilmingto
will be visited again by such an excel
lent troupe in light opera