The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-10-04
THE EVENING CRITIC.
EsrABLIsHEp AUGUST. 1858.
AMuSEM ENTS.


Quite large and brilliant audience as
scmblcd at Ford's Opera-house last night to
witness the production for the first time In
this city of Audran's opera comiquc The
Mascotte."
1t is perfect operate gem, and was most
charmingly rendered. The argument of
the piece Is clean cut, highly interesting
sparkling MS IYidom Ctquof. The company
and well pointed with numerous hits,
the music, bright, catching and as
fiji individually and in general their char
acters with artistic grace and ease.
"Mascotte" Is put upon the stage In hand
some stylc-witb the single exception of the
riclSety trap stairs In second act, on which
Miss Lucettc came with an ace of taking
serious tumble last highland the costumes
exceedingly riclrand handsome. Few audi
ences have ever been moro perfectly de-
lighted by an opera comique than was that
at Ford's last night.
There is an originality both of plot and
in the music that Is very attractive; some
of the airs are of refined, delicate, beauty
unknown scarcely in any other opera on the
boards. The duet between Mr.. Fitzgerald
I'D Miss Lucette-Pippo and Bettind, the
Mascottc," was simply superbly charming.
and was repeatedly cncored, the audience
never wearying Of 1t, but, on the contrary,
IL seemed to grow on Them taking astronger
hold on each repetition.
Miss May Stemblcr, as Fiametto, made q
genuine sensation by her voice, acting and
magnificent wardrobe. Mr.. J. II. Rennie
Is in his element in the character of Lorenzo
XIV, and had the part been written for
him, he could not have acted or sang with
more effect. The Frederic Of Prince Pisa
was well rendered by Mr.. Chas. F. Lang.
Mr.. Lang is not strikingly good actor, but
sings very finely The Rocco of Mr.. Curley,
and Court Physician of Mr.. Jones, were
both carried through with artistic power.
The entire company harmonized to com.
petc the bill to the effect that the universal
verdict was that no more delightful opera
than "La Mascotte," nor one more per
fectly presented, has been to Washington
for 10 these many years.
National Theatre.
Hague's British operate Minstrels ut the
National Theatre is q novelty in that lint
never before seen in this country. Theil
performance last night was highly inter
esting-thc finest and most attractive in thu
burnt cork line that has ever been given IL
this city. Its perfect originality, the mum
Der and excellence of its artists and the OK
tensive features and specalties of its roper
toire combine to popularize it to the public
Matinccs Wednesday and Saturday.
Theatcr COmique.
The Theatre Comique was rs usua
crowded last night by well-satisfied audi
cnce who witnessed with enthusiasm thu
varied specialties of that popular establish
ment of amusement. There will be
matinee to-day at $50 and one on Frida.
in addition to the night performances.
Abner's Garden.
Abncr's famous gardens were thronge
last evening by pleasant audience, whic
was charmed as usual by the delightful
music of the Vienna ladies orchestra.
Drivers Summer Garden.
Miss Ida Hanley, charming little sou
brette and songstress, appeared last night a
Drivers summer garden, and though unan
nounced on the programme or in the news
papers, she made an instantaneous hit an
became favorite with the audience. TIL
Mari brothers are simply immense in thei
character songs and comicalities, and wi
not fail to draw those DESTROYS Of listenin
to comic song and good music.