The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-24
ADJUSTMENTS.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE = ''LA GRANDE
DUCHEssE."

Offenbachs "lrrande Duchesse' is so well known
TO the local stage. and has been interpreted by so
many excellent artists that nearly every New YORKER
who knows anything Of opera bouhe is Thoroughly
acquainted with every note OF the score ana ID
equally well aware exactly how it should be treated
unsteady and dramatically. 1t was the hrst opera
bouGe to which New Workers were introduceu'
in the days Of the old French theatre IN foureehh
street. during the musical reign OF Tostee ana the
score was an opera boufe primer. as 1t were winch
became well thumbed and dog-eared before 1t was
laid aside During the entire winter the opera held the
stage and all New York sat in the auditorium AZ one
time another. From then until to-day 1t mas been
presented by about every French company brought
here. and Tostee. Irma and Aimee have
made strong impressions in the r0e OF
nscepces OF absent avorites-and absence not alone
makes the heart grow fonder, but has an equal
power of exaggerating remembered qualities
Mile Paola- Marie must have felt. IN assuming the
part she took last night, that she would be con-
trusted critically with her predecessors and that she
had old associations and prejudices to combat
we'll as a comparatively strange audience to win
Two circumstances tended. however, to make the
task easier-she had the able assistance of NJ
Capoul and Mile. Angelo. and, the occasion being
her benefit the presence of many friends The latter
came in goodly numbers, but the rest OF the au-
.'sabre dc Mon Pare'' and the "Dites-lui," never
warmed to the occasion. 1t not that
they did not seem pleased with the performance.
but general chliness seemed to exist in the audi
torium, which, perhaps, had come In with the wet
wraps from the rain without and had absorbed all
the warmth from the house. The entire audience
retained their to the close and thus gave good
evidence that they were pleased with the scene
and action upon the stage. and all the artists were
pleasantly, but not enthusiastically, received. Had
the GOODNESS existed toward the three principal
characters only, it might have been significant Of
all the points," and everything over which
the house generally combines its laughter
and applause, were received with only mod
crate recognition. 1t quite nexplicable. rs the
opera admirably done throughout.
Mile. Paola Marie gives a picture OF the Grande
Duchesse which is in more sober colors than was
Aimees but is finer in outline and more finished and
artistic. 1t has all the fun and dash necessary
to give it snap and go. but it is never bosterous
or ged with any vulgarity- happy medium which
Mile. Paola Marie has made feature Of all her per-
formances
the abandon that is customarily given to it, but the
rest of the aras quite up the orthodox stand
ard in every way Both the sabre song and the Dites
lui," which was sung charmingly and with world
of tenderness, were loudly redemanded. The bal
lad and trio at the close OF the second act where the
Duchesse has bit of acting to do with Baron Puck
General Boum and Prince Paul, gave an opportunity
for comic acting which was not lost. All the
music set down for the Duchesse was well sung,
and the accompanying dramatic action was
eAcellenty we'll conceived nnd executed, but
those parts just indicated the only
taking ones, in her score with the almost unimpres
sionable house.
Mile Angelo as Wanda not alone 'did the hand
some thing but looked it also, and in the small
part assigned her she won hearty encore for her
opening duo with Fritz and earned frequent light
applause during the evening, Wu Gil, COnSluerluB
the mood of the audience may be set down fat
tering success.
NJ. Capoul was very good FRITZ and played it
after the usual pattern. and sang livery agreeably
it not forcibly. NJ. Capoul always mpresses one.
somehow, as sort of operate fish out Of water in
opera boufe. and his methods remind his
hearers OF ii constanty-that he is better
accustomed to light opera of higher class
and that he is not yet-if he ever will be-himsell
in his present location. But his voice is pleasant
throughout most of its range, and melodies
which fall to his lot gracefully phrased. His
action is gentlemanly and has lie. if it does
not possess other qualities necessary to these
operas. He does nothing badly and IL he does
indulge in the extravaganza of the opera bouffe
stage he fails to intuse certain degree of its
qualities into mis- part.
Mezieres aud his fellow artists are too we'll known
in their roles to need reference here.
The occasion was a pleasant one to Mile. Paola
Marie, as it successful venture in part in
which she was to the New York public, and it
made an opportunity for Offering her pleasant
congratulations in an abundance OF flowers. that
threatened ut time to transform the stage into
temporary conservatory for the reception of floral
presents which were unusually elegant and nu-
nerO