The New York herald., 1879-12-02

II may gauge the success OF performance
from the enthusiasm of an audience consisting Of
the elite of the city and from the absence of the
usual occupants Of free seats who throng New
York theatre on an opening night. "Pnafore" as
presented under the personal direction of the CON-
posers. Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan a decided
success.
When the latter entered the orchestra and assumed
the baton he forced to respond to a
greeting that attested in the most enthusi-
astic manner the interest he has personally
aroused, well the popularity that
attaches to his various musical compositions.
From this moment until the end of the performance
critical attention bestowed on the opera The
rendition not materially differ from that with
which all of are more or less familiar.
The chief difference consists in the introduction of
some new and effective stage business and in the
employment of certain principal artists. the gen.
eral excellence of whose voices would save even
q wretched musical production from ruin. The
stage setting is novel, because apparently correct in
detail. When the curtain rises one Immediately
recognizes the realism of scene on man-of-war.
The crew are at work ponshlng the brass work,
coiling ropes or running up the ratns as naturally
as il one of Her Majestys ships were
Mt anchor in our harbor. The background
o pretty fancy OF the painter and the
entire scene is evidently in strict consonance
with the purpose of the author. The chorus is
posed of Americans-people who, either by expert
ence observation. have become familiar with every
gesture required in the opera and only needed to be
slightly unlcarned in certain particulars OF express
sion, in order to adapt themselves to che require
ments of the presentation. They may be dismissed
In brief notice like this with the remark that
they showed the result of admirable training
and will improve with every performance. They
than the best companies that have appeared be-
the public in this country In the selection OF
artists who have been brought to America by Messrs.
Gilbert and Sullivan to corporate with them in the
presentation of this and other operate works that are
In contemplation, the authors have shown admirable
taste. Making due allowance for the nervousness
incident "
it was plainly perceptble that every one OF them
was in tremor-and taking into further considera-
ton that they compelled to rehearse until tine
last moment and thus imperil the quality of
their respective voices, they sang remarkably
has o clear. ringing baritone organ. and
a face well adapted to the rendition of
as sse parl pal be @r known. vDi Mr. Jonn " Clark. s
Of Brooklyn, has likewise strong, manly. sympa-
who sings better than he acts but acts bet
ter than most of the Ralph Racksraws We
only weak because of his hcarseness. Mr.. Furneaux
Cook was the Dick Deadeye, and with the
last named gentleman and Biil Iobstay
MR. F. Clifton shared largely in the honors of the
evening. Miss Roosevelt personated Josephine. She
has sweet soprano voice, but it was evidently tired.
Nevertheless she won many encorcs r. and amy
was filled whenever she was present
oy Little Bgttercup Miss Alice BARNETT.
attentive to stage business and well calcu-
lated to catch the sympathy of the audience
and tasteful All Of the company were
recalled. and must have been gratifed with
heir welcome. 1t known to but fcw
persons in the audience that Mr.. w. y. Gil
pert was among the chorus. personally super
intending the movements the stage. and
much OF the smothness Of the action due to his
management The audience remained after the per-
iormance, evidently anxious to him in proprid
persona, and after repeated calls he appeared before
the curtain, in conjunction with Mr.. sullivan, and
made the following graceful speech;-
LAprHs AND GEErLEmEN-It appears that YOU expect a
speech from me. IL Is only fair to say that
has been such that should bo faulty indeed II
the words did not come TO me that express
In some measure so small tbo thanks due your
pleasant welcome OF ourselves and company.
Concerning the piece. you are quite aware that
Ii Is not new-Qau ghtcr)-and that II has been
presented In your metropolis moro than
Our object has been TO enable you to insti-
tute comparison with other performances of the
kind because version of "Pinaore has had of
hve hundred nights the Opera Comique in London
ana IL still the board and hope TO DO able to
certain new features that would maintain the grcat In
terest that has been shown the opera in America.
In my bcnaif, we'll that Of colleague,
1 may say that be too grateful
for the warmth of your welcome. We here simply
two hard working Engishmen whose ambition Is TO
ply your stage aud with work that altogether
imbecie, and that shall merit Just such praise
greeted our ears this evening AppauseJ
ITALIA THRATRE-''oNE OF OUR FOLK"
This farce, which spoken of in Sundays