National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-12-23

tie Duke" the opera presented last night, has
no plot worth speaking OF, but tho music IS al
most too good for opera bouffe. IL Is full OF
fine choruses and tho solt arc unusually deli
cate In expression. IL is altogether ono Of the
best, if not the best, of Lecocq's composition.
The principal figure, OF course Is the Little Duke
"a part which Mrs Oates invested with dash
and spirit that quite oaptiyated the audience.
She was ably seconded by Miss Rostelle, worry
handsome young lady, endowed with quite
pure though not very strong soprano voice.
She looked, acted and sang the part of The
Duchess very charmingly Mr.. Charles ii.
Drew rs FrimousSe proved himself the same
perfect actor who has so often delighted
Washington audiences, and especially in the
lecture scene in the convent created great
amusement. Mr.. q. L. Hall as Monhaudry
sang and acted we'll, aud tho remainder Of the
support was quite up to tho general standard
of excellence. The chorus was exceptionally
good. Tho Little Duke" will be repeated
this evening.
Tho Philharmonic Society.
Tho Philharmonic Society gave their first
concert OF the season at tho Congregational
church last evening, rendering the oratorio of
The Messiah" assisted by Miss Abbie Car
rington, soprano; Mr.. Fred Harvey, tenor;
Miss Octavie Gomien, contralto, aud Mr..
Franz Rommertz, basso, all of New York, as
soloists. Tho concert was conducted under
the able leadership of Dr. ]. p. eau field, aud
Mr. W.. Waldecker presided at the organ.
Owing,iprobably, to the threatening state OF the
weather, the church was not more than two
thirds filed, but tho utmost appreciation was
manifested by those who were present, and
tho society certainly mover furnished tho
public greater musical treat than
they did last evening with the aid of the bril-
liant soloists whom they had engaged for the
occasion. Miss Darlington possesses a voice of
rare purity, strength aud sweetness, aud rem
dered tho classic music of the oratorio with
expression that revealed fully all the beau
ties of her parts. Tho quality and capac!ty
of her voice were fully tested ia the aria II
Know that Ny Kedcemer," and tho several
! 1tners which she sang. Miss Gomien's rem
dition of tho solo, - He shall Feed His Flock"
In which she used her fine contralto to tho
very best advantage, was especially fine Mr..
Remmertz, who has bdoSo profund0 of re-
markablo strength aud compass. sang Why
do tho Nations" with grand effect Mr.
Harvey's voice was not as strong as might have
been desired for such grand work, but was
used with admirable skill. The chorus of one
| hundred and fifty voices came fully up to
popular expectations and ovinced high de-
gree of training. The opening chorus "And
the Glory of the Lord" was maguihcently
rendered add heartily encored. The aria, The
Trumpet Shall Sound" by Mr.. Remmetz, with
a trumpet obligato by Mr.. S. j. MacNamee,
| W"s picusihB phfb vi t"o Plubienho oh"
artisticaly rendered. We would BIO glad to SEQ
this oratorio repeated for the benefit of some
charitable organization.
Theatre Conique.
The Comique opened the week last even
ing with crowded house. The bill offered was
one of the best of the season. The corps Of va
riety performers includes III Nino Eddie, Mabel
Pearl, Conway aud Farrell, Reynolds and
Cogil, Miss J. Warner and others of equal
note. Jake Budd has good sketch. The
drama of "Tho Maniac Hunter" in which
Kit Carson, jr,, appears. is one Of the most
thrilling and interesting border dramas ever
| presented in this city.