New-York tribune., 1882-09-27
MUSIC.
LES MANTEAUX NOIRS.

There is an old story, which already Scribe has
used IL comedy that has in IT all the elements OF
most whimsical and dvertiug piece There are court
intrigue. and hence pictures IL brilliant coors and
exhibitions Of poInp and circumstance; there
Is also a lowly maid Of noble but mysterious
psrenta.e fl love with hghboru cavalier, but who j,
10 be- sacrificed 20 the pumpkin who wants only her
Gowry rus provide, rustic scenery and peasant dresses,
dancing out OF doors. and rural merry-makng and
tender -autmeut in which the good and Wrtu0us can
sympatlnze.
Tie blupkin sells ont his right, title and interest in
IN ro. preiive bride to the cavalier. who takes his
place al hurried wedding, and then without revealing
himself 70 his love slips again into ms bespanged
tosgery and presents himself to the Queen
who. with her penpatetic court, has
come on! into the country to eclipse Of the
She IS devoted to ecpses, but conives artfuy pre-
vent echpsed by the court beauties toward
whom the King slows warmth that bespeaks hun
man Of abnormal susceptibility. In Eer design TO
prevent any waywardDess on the part Of
her lord she has help Of the Court Chamberlain,
fusy old fool who conriyes chiefly 10 get himself into
trouble The country bride turned ou OF her home by
tie occupancy Of tue Queen aud her court accom- ined
by tie supposed husband, the meicenary pumpkin, she
IL hustled of the lattcr's mill to spend
tho night There the real husband comes
Theirs is love at sight at all he rescued her from
robbers in the dark and conducted al his courtshp in
the dark she loves him for his voice and his speeches
Examinations follow and the miller Is got out Of
the way. Then comes the King ana with him the
Chamberlain. The former is in love with the
rural bd. and screnades her the absence Oi the hus
band, who, having two roles TO play, Is seldom In
one place very long. There is much funny masquerade
ing IN black coaks IN the old mill TO the obuscatl0n Of
everybody including the miller who is clear only
point and Is the rewards promised him III turn by
the three cavaliers whom he one at different
times and different ends The King and
his chamberlain are surprised in the mill
of fha ffq IoVer
but confusion fails only the chamberlain who is de-
teced OF the little bride which he entered
to discover the supposed reachery his wife, lady III
waiting having been msed by The talk of the miller IN
tended for auOther's ears. Finally the three mas
queradcrs are exposed at court by the miller, VINO
COMES for bis money, bri,gs the black cloaks
as evidence. and recognizes his debtors by
their voices Then all Ia explained and, the being
IN spain, King, Queen grandees ladies and all dance
fsndango clicking Of cotanets and the linking Of
tau4b0Irnes.
The story is cevery parodled in the comic opera gwen
for the first time at the STANDARD Theatre last
night The dialogue Is handled lightly and
with occasional flashes Of dro.lery; the situations
arc ngcnOusly compose ana over everything Is shed
the glamour brilliant costumes and IN these
accessories OF the play prodlgM show II made,
which may offend the taseo that prefers pro
prlety. truth ami temperance 10 gaudiness, but IS
nevertheless 10 catch the popular eye The
book Of the piece, by W. Parke and II. Paulton is
Ingenious, the characters doary drawn, the acton
spughty. II Il only the musical setting that prevents
It from transocnd.ng the commonplace The ballad
style prevails in 1t, yet without the diversity
OF character and variety OF color which
the best Of the modern writing Ia
this vein shows From end TO end the music has a
nonotonous physiOgnomy uniform cast OF melody,
ssaneness In rhythm a shallowness IN harmony. In
lAe nrst act especially the sound as though they
had been composed as exercises in the intervals
Tue scale The plquancy Of rhythm and melodic turn
"hch suggested by the nationality "f
Ne piece, the warmth aud glow Of passion wanting