The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-24
ratln,t.a a, the Finh Avenue Theat e.

Won Suppe, the Austrian composer, though
his operas have been before the public for more
than thirty years. never has achieved any great
popularity until now. in his old age. he has
made lucky hit with his Russo Turkish
extravaganza. "Fatinitza." II has had great
success in Vienna. whore II was brought out n
few years since. and in other German cities
und in Berlin it run several hundred nights.
Now that Gilbert and sullivan have set the
popular fancy running in the direction Of the
musical drama. and turned our theatres into
opera houses. and our actors into sing
ers managers who are on the lookout
for musical attractions have brought
old Won suppo into sudden fame on
this side the water well as on the other. 1t IS
more than doubtful II. after all. he does not
owe the best part Of his success 10 his lihret-
ti-t. for the Hay Is more INGENIOUS than
The music The drama is semi-miliiary.
encnmpment on tho Danube. the opposi ing
Turkish forces occupying the opposite bank,
iiHzSet % Governor vernon OF The furnish tort. ThiSS
third I'm the reception room Of the Russian
there IS here material for any amount u scenic
display. The mid-winter camp in the first act.
with the sentry pacing the parapet. the fall
inE snow. the soldiers gathered about the
hiyouac fires. and the military costumes. Is
very picturesque. a. little IKE me Crimean
scene in ours at Nnllacks. while the inte-
rior Of the hHrem is complete contrast in
warmth aud color and brightness Of costume %
that of the first act. In the course II IL one OF
the old women Of the herem for the nmuse-
meut ~ the inmnt"s rends a story which is
illustrated in panionim" 10y ngures cast upon
q screen stretched at the back ut the stage
The plot of IA" ulHy tsiull Of te and incident.
FdfUutgd is a handsome young Russian lieutcn-
ant named VLADIMIR. who. TO carry ont some
in love when he meets him in that costume.
love affair has disguised himself as n woman.
aud with whom the Russian General has fallen
This gives rise To some ridiculous situations.
especially ms TldinHT is himself in love with
the Generals pretty niece, the Princess LViid.
While in female costume Fdi,nd1d Is cap
turcd by the Turks. and with Lyiid is
carried over the river 10 the Turkish quarters
AMI installed in the pasha's harem.
Won Suppe is n very matter OF fact musician.
and though hero and there he has borrowed
freely from the general forms and methods Of
Temperatures he has failed to catch their
spc ntaneiV and sparkle. HIS loret,
making some very startling situations out of
those that he has 50 ingeni ly devised, has
held himself pretty well IN check and IL spite
scene kept we'll within the bounds OF decorum
The principal characters were distributed as
9 ,Ii5 Y9 1g, Russian Mis-. JEANNE winston
Irlucc LYDIA Niece Of tie Count. Mis-. Sahc Rebcr
Count nmoley Kan''hakoG:a Russian Ge,geTsl
Iyc, ra.ha, Governor of'ne Turkish FIR ,,n....m.
wa.h captain Of Russian infantry. Mr. /. r Ns.,sa
strinann Srre"nnt Mr. James Hafton
Julian, a special newspaper correspond
Tho parts were on tho whole. well cast
and the play has been carefully prepared
| and rchearsed. Miss Sallie Rebrr. who
! has been we'll known in our con-
cert rooms. made m exceedingly pretty
| little Russian princess. She once Ind n
voice OF remarkable power and beauty. Much
Of the power through ndiscrect use. She has
! lost and portion Of the benuty as well
! reliable singer. and made her part attract
| i've. Miss Winston also was very spirited and
| entertaining i'm her double character of Ilddi-
MIR and Fdtuizd. Jtiidn. the unquenohHble
| newspaper cores pondent. WIS one Of the fca-
| lures oIthe opera. There is every reason 10
| believe that the piece will meet with public
| favor and have an extended run.