The New York herald., 1879-03-18
LECoCo's OPERA BoUFrE ''THE LITTLE DUKE, :
AT BOOTHS THEATRE.

Charles LecocQ three act opera boude lie Petit
Duc," which first produced at the Renaissance
Theatre Paris in January. 1873. was given last
ing in English for the first time hero by company
of generally tolerabe ability, but whose possibilities
il was hard to judge. so much did tho performance
like rehearsal particularly in the last act This
Arst night unpreparedncss. which is becoming too
in New York OF late. is unjust alike to pub
lie. artists and managers. not to mention the critics
The opera musicay is full of bright pieces in the
best vein of the composer of such Feur
DO The. la File dc Madame Angot' and ''Girofe-
GiroAa 1t seeks wider field than any of these for
it deals with war as we'll love- and hence we have
some stirring marches and swinging choruses in ad-
dtion to the liveness which Is the tradition
of the opera bouffc school The Instrumentation is
clever without being precntious several of the songs
are very taking and will be heard Of outside
the theatre soon; the choruses arc all good. Miss
Florence Ellis. who sang the Little Duke, made o
complete in her part and with others Of the
artists. received deserved encores from the house.
which was enthusiastic whenever 1t got the chance,
and was patient when it did not. Yet We think tho
Thecstory Of .sThe Little Duke is soon told. He
Is only eighteen years old. and they marry him to
secure the fortune. which is coming to his
little Duchess is taken suddenly away to
pass two years In . convent school. which nat
uraly suit His Little Htghue8g. aud. having
boen made colonel he starts of at the head OF his
regiment to rescue his BRIDE This is the first act
Next we ind the Duchess at school. IN capital
where the drectress IL giving singing lesson
The soldiers arrive and threaten to the school
to tho delight Of tho girls. including. of course
the little Duchess. who wants to be rescued. Dis
guised peasant girl. the Little Duke finds his way
into the convent and is on the point Of carrying of
his wife when he receives orders to proceed
now nc sec CO. tho Little Duke in camp. performing
prodigies Of valor. The little Duchess having
broken out of the convent. seeks him at the camp
Inst rs an order has been issued that girls are
allowed inside the lines She conceas herself in his
little tent and pretty little takes place there
She is. however discovered his sword is taken from
him and then returned by order Of the King and his
wife rs restored to him at the same time. It will
be that the pocc lacks the usual ugly intrigue.
Which MAKES * tn ono r
youth of the interested parties gives naIoe to the
situations that is immensely amusing. and
the humor Is happily sustained. The charac-
tors Of the Little Duke and Duchess are
pretty drawn. Another clever NATURALIZATION Is
that OF the Marquisc do Lansac, the school direc-
treas, though Nine. Marie Bauman did not properly
accentuatc its starchy dignity frmousse tho tutor.
who becomes professor ut the girls school and af
furnishes the grocsque fun OF the piece and is also
well drawn; but its representative last evening,
though endowed with the pis comica. had sore
throat and failed to sing his part except bis opening
song. That was enough.
Apretty boyish face, a dainty. figure. good stage
training and pleasant though thin voice. used
r6e by Miss Ellis. She made instant success her
first song. "Old enough to love-" winning encore
The Duchess, too, was charmingly sung and in
genuously acted by the petite and pretty Mile. Boau
det and to see the pair nestle in oach others
was q pleasant picture. Their duet in the first
act, 'I lovo you,'' we'll that in tho
third act. which was unaccountably shorn Of
two stanzas. filled the house with enthusiasm
Both pieces are destined to be popular. Miss I1lis
song. however. describing the way old
bore fingers at wedding feast, when tho
wedding bclls,' the hit Of the evening
We have said that Mr.. Chapman. the Frimousse. was
horribly hoarso, and this possibly disconnected
him somewhat, but whatever the cause he did not
seem have that thorough conception of his part
which would give IL its proper weight the centre Of
the broader fun although he funny In spots, 1t
has good baritone, and received an encore for his
rendering of the spirited song. IL am not here
TO menace you" Nine. Baumsn has q fino con-
tralto voice. and warmly applauded for
in the chorus. and the quaint chorus of pages Poor
Little Duke" we'll given as TO warrant en-
CORE while in the singing lesson. which has q
simple motive prcttily treated. the young ladies
Mlc ST. Maur receiving applause for her little solo.
In the opening of the opera the young ladies went
sadly astray. aud chorus OF peasant women and vi
yandrcs in the last act horror of dscord stage
fright seemed tho order of the evening. the Little
Duke and Duchess excepted. down to the soldier
who delivered himself OF tho extraordinary
intelligence. 'rhe battle which has taken
place tomorrow will begin soon" Tho orches-
things as . whole performance stopped for half
minute and takoa up at haphazard
being intolcrable oven on . first night. Batting all
this, however. tho opera promises ,.,,o to sue.
to costumes and scenery, though tho
new set for the irst act was not ready. Tho camp
tablcau at tho opening OF tho third act was nno
stage picture.