The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-20

lhE lHBATRE-" lHE flkATES OF FEN
: lance" SUcCEss.--1t would indeed have
been o matter OF surprise had the first
representation in Richmond Of this recent
production by the author and composer OF
the wonderfully popular Pinafare failed
to draw q crowded house The Theatre
notwithstanding the fain-was filed With q
see tie "new wonder.v Many had come
with the avowed determination of being
severely critical 10 contrasting the merits
OF tie sPirates" with " Our Gallant Ship"
while not a few prepare themselves for
the usual disappointment consequent upon
their encouragement OF operate perform-
ances Of hate Ia Richmond.
The effect, therefore, OF last nights per-
formance upon such an audience was at
first rather doubtful, but before the curtain
closed on the firrt act there was no room for
doubt as to its favorable reception.
sThe Pirates OF Penzance," it Is safe to
say, will never gain the popularity OF its
predecessor, although In a musical point
and many OF the scenic effects it Is much
superior. II was the happy selection OF
the scene, coupled with the taking airs
which composed the opera, that has
made Pinaf0re something phenomenal.
An opera TO be performed upon the deck
OF full-rigged vessel was something so
novel, aud a scene which could be so WV
Idly portrayed, that IL could not fail OF sue
cess. 1t was the nautical = boom,"ass II
were, that caught the public taste and in-
sured its success from its inception. Such
fortunate subject may not present itself
TO a composer for many year, or perhaps
generation, to come. To have pirates
figuring in operate libretto is by no
means new idea, and though they
may not have been quite so ridicu-
lous, the brigands in FRA Diayolo y
and the pirates in "Girofle Girofla "
were certainly more practically systematic
than those in sIr. Gilbert's libretto. In
plot, the opera Is a perfect parapbrase OF
PinafOre, the drdmatiS perSon9 OF each
almost exactly corresponding-the one a
satire upon landsmen officials, and the other
upon those Of the navy. There is one Pc
clilar feature OF success which the author
exhibits in this as in the other work. and
that il bis perfect knowledge OF stage busi-
ness and effective groupings, and he is ably
assisted in these effects by the composer
some of his concerted cboruses being highly
gratifying and meritorous.
The opera was beautifully put upon the
stage last evening by D'Oyly Carte's fine
company. Indeed their performance was
highly gratifying, and, taken as whole, it il
the strongest and best cOmic-Opera com
panv we have ever had in Richmond. The
caste, with the exception OF Mabel anC
Maior-General Stanley, IL rather poor, bu
the chorus is excellent, and the whole com
pany is, as we said before, drilled ngl
unto perfection. The cOstumely and blenc
ing OF colors was very beautiful in th'
groupings OF the chorus, and as for TIT
stage-setting, we have never seen our ole
boards so cbarmingly equipped. Boil
scenes were very picturesque, but especiali,
that OF the ruined chapel in the second act
Miss Minnie Walsh has pretty, flexible
voice, and as Mabel last evening seemed t
completely capiivate her audience. he
execution of the charming little solo ant
duet In the second act, "Ah Leave Ne No
to Pine Alone" was very pretty, and wol
for her we!l-merited encore.
Mr. w. Gillow as Major-General Stan
,ey," OF the British army, was capital, an
, sang his jaw-breaking song two or thre
, times, to the great merrment and entir
satisfaction OF his bearers. He was, though
seen at his best in the lode to the Ever.
Bret ze," which, with the lovely orchestra
ton, is probably the most beautiful piece II
the opera.
The chorus Of the bassos IN the "Pollce
mems Chorus" was simply immense, an
they exhibited degree Of training In move
ment and perfect articulation that was as
tonishing. The same may be said OF to
chorus and conflict between the pirates an
police. The orchestra, though small
good and well conducted. II there be an
| merit in comic opera 1t can certainly b
found in "Tbe Pirates OF Penzance" a
| performed by the company now at, IN
. Theatre, and it Is safe to bespeak for theI
| during the three succeeding nights OF theI
stav in Richmond packed bouses.