The daily gazette., 1880-02-19
Ansusessents.
THE rrRrohMAKcjE LAST rxES1Na,

THE PERFoiaMAKCE LAST EylSiS1NG, 4.
Owing no doubt to the increase OF
prices the attendance at the Opera
House last evening on the occasion of
the first presentation of Gilbert &
Sullivan's new opera Of the Pirates of
Penzdnce, was not as large as 1t should
have been, there being about eight
hundred present.
The Pirates is q charming little
opera, and is just full of sparkling
gems. 1t 80 far surpasses Pinafore
that it is hardly necessary to compare
them. Everybody has seen or heard
PinGfore or at least nearly everybody.
Those who have heard it should be
sure and hear the Pirates and see the
vast difference between the two efforts
of Gilbert and Sullivan in the way of
opera. The Pirates Is somewhat of an
absurdity, or it might more properly
be termed a satire. A close observer
of the lines and situations as the opera
progresses, cannot fail to see faint
fore, while ever and anon bar or two
Of Pnaforo airs will crop out. This
in no way lowers the higher tone Of
the opera, but rather enhances the
beauty of it. The libretto is well
written, the dialogue good, while the
score has been carefully manipulated
The airs are very pretty, but are not
of such catching order as those of
Pindf0re and this one fact makes them
the move enjoyable. 1t is not so deep
and ponderous as that of Iroodtore or
some of the other operas by great
composers. On the other hand it is
just deep enough to be thoroughly en-
joyed not only by u trained musician
but by every one who has the oppor-
tunty of hearing it. Rumor has it
engaged upon another opera, and that
it will surpass their former efforts in
that line.
The text of the opera is simply told.
A number of men styling themselves
Pirates have their headquarters upon
a rocky seashore on the coast of Eng
land where they are congregated when
the curtain rises on the, first act.
| Among the number is young man
known as Frederick, who has been ap-
prenticed to the Pirates until he at
tains his twenty-first birthday. The
day having arrived he bids adieu tohis
former companions, and is about to
leave, when he is accosted by a woman
who has been with the PHI ates for
many years, and he is asked by her
what is to become of her when he is
gone, and finally proposes that he mall
ry her. He is about to accede to heI
request when he hears voices in the
distance, and soon discovers a number
of young ladies approaching. He
thereupon rejects Ruth's proposition,
and leaves her TO hide from the gaze
OF the young ladies. The ladies ap-
proach, and after chorus propose as
no one is near to remove their shoes
and stockings and paddle in the sea
They are prevented from doing this 10y
the appearance of Frederick upon tho
scene, who warns them That they will
be seen. He is asked who and what
he is. He explains to them, and asks
who in the number will marry him
At first no one will accept him, but
finally Mabel, the youngest daughter
of General Stanley, lakes pity on him
and agrees to marry him. Then the
Pirates appear and propose to make
captive the remainder of the girls. Tc
this they object, and while doing so
Major General Stanley, appears upor
the scene and announces to the Pirate
that he is an orphan, and that hi
daughters are his only support. They
then agree to liberate all, and the cap
tiyes are allowed to depart in peace
Frederick going with them as the nc
cepted husband of Mabel.
The second act shows ruined
chapel on General Stanley's estate
Here the General comes every
night for the purpose of atoning to hi
fore-lathers for the deception that h,
practiced upon the Pirates in tellin.
them that he was an orphan. Here Ia
is discovered by his children, who ex
postulates with him for acting in sucI
a manner. Here also Frederick ap
pears with number of policemen fo
the purpose of going forth and exter
minating the Pirates.
While bidding adieu to his lady love
the Pirate chief and Ruth appear, an,
inform him that he being born on tin
29th of February, he still belonged t,
their band. His great sense of dut,
compels him to return to the band ant
also inform the chief of the deception
practiced by Major Stanley in order Il
get released, Upon receiving the in
formation, the chief gathers togethe
his band, and led by Frederick attack
the castle and captures all. The po
lice demand their surrender in tn
name of the Queen, which demand /
acceded to by the Pirates, as they lie
spect their Queen. The opera close
by the Pirates announcing that the.
are all noblemen, and upon hearin;
this announcement the Major give
, them permission to marry his daugh
> ters.
O.,x,T poo, S., s>LiTn<fo2aahan