Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-24
ss OLlvKTIE.'' -


"OLlvKTTE."
The New Connie Opera Lass Night.
An audience of goodly numbers was
present ut Fulton opera house last evening
to witness the production of Audran's new
comic opera Of "Olivette by FOrd's
company. The work is an adaptation
from the French ''Les Noctes d'Olisette, )"
by MN. Chivot and Duvir. The ibrettO
is light but funny, and the humOr
Enthusiastically Frenchy. 1t is OF
a purer and more conventional
school than Ohenbachian hurlesque, and
may be fairly claimed to be within the do
main of legitimate connie opera. The story
is one of intrigue 80 far rs the plot goes,
and the humOr hinges in large measure
upon the duality of Captain Dc Msrimac.
the man-of-war CormOrant,
whose dutiful nephew, Valentine, is
obliged to resort to the strategy of disguis-
ing himself as his respected avuncular
relative in order to gain the object of his
desire, which is to marry Olirette, whose
graces had Likewise csptivated the "sad
sea dog" himself. The outcome of this
dOubling-up business consists of the Gus
tomary odd blunders, misapprehensions,
cross purposes, etc., leading up to some
very funny situations. Audran's music is
light and frOlicsOme, aud many Of the airs
possess the ear-catching characteristics
that are likely to give them an extended
popularity. The company that sang the
work was one of the best Mr.. Ford
has ever brought here, which is saying
a good deal, for to that gentleman
our city owes the privilege of many of its
most delightful treats in the line of comic
opera. Miss Blanche Chapman in the
title role gave capital impsrsOnatiOn of
the heroine, entering with her customary
enthusiasm into the spirit of fun that ami
mates the composition. She is sprightly
little actress, and her voice shows no
symptoms of losing the qualities that have
made it so popular with patrons of comic
opera. She sang all her numbers with no.
table expression, and her rendition of the
"Sob Song " evinced a keen appreciation
of the humOr of the deception she was
practicing upon her venerable parent; while
half dozen of her other solos are worthy
of special commendation. Her voice
is a pleasing soprano, of considerable flexi-
bility, of good range, and of hearty volume.
Miss Amy Gordon, new face here, sang
the part of the Countess Bathilde in thOr.
oughly artistic manner. Her voice, a
highly cultivated soprano, is especially
strong in the upper register, and the lady's
occasional dashes into the leger lines pro.
duced tones of bell-like purity and sweet
ness. Some of the heartiest applause of
the evening rewarded her efforts, and the
duet in the second act by the Countess and
Olirette was one of the best rendered
numbers of the opera. Miss GOrdon's first
appearance before a Lancaster audience
has provided her with a passport that is
certain to secure her cordial welcome
should she ever again visit us. A word o
praise is due the singing and acting of Miss
May Stembler, the young lady furnishing
a very attractive and piquant rendition O
the part of Veloutine and singing a
solo or two in capital. style. A
De Merimac, the choleric old sea captain
MIR. Geo w. Denham was satisfactory, as
he always is he brought out the humOr
Of the part and sang his numbers in q
manner that evoked the appreciation o.
the audience. The tenor, Mr.. Lang. acteG
and sang the part of Valentine, his uncle's
nephew and double, very artistically hi.
imitation of the old mariner, il
appearance, gait and action, being notably
Clever. MI. C0dS. II. Dre"S PERFORM
ance Of the role of the DUO des Ifs, plot
ter and intriguer in chief, was altogether
admirable, and the remaining characters
were filled creditably. Most Of the chorus
effects were excellent, among them being
the "Marriage Bells" the. Whale ans
Torpedo" and half score of others that
might be properly mentioned The orches.
ira was painfully deficient, comprising as il
did only piano and two violins. Under
the circumstances the singers are entitled
to an even greater need of praise for the
creditable manner in which they acquitted
themselves with so many of the instrn-
mental parts conspicuously absent !; but
Mr.. Ford will do but justice to the singers,
to Audran's pretty music, and to the pub
lie, by filling up his orchestra at once.
The scenic effects were handsome, as
were also the costumes, the latter in the
final act affording the opportunity of a
liberal display of shapely limbs, in the
spe ctacle of a score or more of pretty and
well proportioned young ladies' attired in
striped jerseys and flesh-colored tights.