National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-18
PUBLIC ADJUSTMENTS.
PRODUCTION OF A NEW OPERA.
Hcssrs. sousa ard vance's work--"Thc smugslcrs''
At Lincoln Hall by the operate Lssocls.
tiOn Scores a Success-Other
Attractions To-Day.

THE Smugglers" was genuine surprise 10 the
large audience at Lincoln Hall last night When.
ever new play is placed before the public there
Is natural anxiety TO It's reception, but the en-
thusiastic applause that greeted each number,
and the frequent encOres that were demanded left
no doubt rs to the success and popularity Of this
production Of Mcssrs. Vance and Sousa, both resi-.
dents of this city. The plot of the play is very
simple and pretty, and IS worked out with careful
attention to the minutest details. As the curtain
rises the smugglers are seen lounging around the
stage singing the opening chorus "Smugglcrs We"
Theapproach ofthe Quetn is announced. The Queen
is widow, and, after the manner OF widows, Is
hankcring for husband. She accordingly makes
proclamation that the fatcs mysterious have de-
creed that she shall take husband. This an.
nouncement is satisfactory to the band, and Tito
and Mdteo, her lieutenans, at once express their
Willingness to sacrifice themselves at her shrine
and become king of The Smugglcrs." This, how.
ever does not suit the Queen nor the ntcs she must
marry stranger, aud II Is decrecd that the first
captive who may fall into their hands shall
marry the QutcH. ViOldntc is captive
maiden held by this band of smugglers. ENRIQUE,
ner lover, in his search discovers her and joins
inc Dand to efcct her release. He nCurs the ILL
| VIII OF TITO, sneuking bully, who, in Enrique
absence, charges him with being \ spy. Mdtco,
for no other reason than to oppose everything I'D
vanced by Ito sides with Enrique, and this gives
| occasion for one Of the pest worked-up choruses
In the opera" He Is n Spy Mr.. St6bs is a
matches. A Photographer in search of strik
| ing scenic views, he stumbles into the
| rendezvous Of tie smugglers. He is captured and
| atoncc taken before the queen, who informs him
OF the decree Of the tcs. aud orders that preparn
| uon be Immediately made for the wedding aud
coronation ceremonies Stubs protests against
being married IN this summary manner, and tells
The QaCcH that he Is the happy band of Mrs
! slnbbs and the proud father of u whole brood
OF lilic Stuhbses. The queen, however, Is in-
oNorable and insists upon an immediate mar
riage. no then reminds the baud that before
any one con aspire tn become king OF the SNUG
Glers he must fiat have performed deed Of blood.
ms furnishes an opportunity for another very
powerfully written chOrus-"A Deed Of Blood"
NHbJs, overwhelmed 10y superior numbers aud the
mongcing mnuncr Of the band, consents TO oil that
IS asked Of him, Not To mar the ic tive occasion,
me decd Of blood is by common consent post
noned until after the ceremony. Wine is pro-
duced and the new kings health is drunk 10 n
very; very bright drinking song and chorus.
ENhilarated by the wine, SIbbs Is prepared to
do the deed Of blood at once, and Enrique,
suspected rs spy, is suggested proper subject
Tor the purpose because II he Is killed II viii be
evidence conclusive that he was spy, while, ifhe
escape his innocence will be solfevldent But
Enrique Is nowhere to be found. Amid the rcyelry
this circumstance is lost sight OF until the car.
| bineers are upon them. The cry TO arms! TO
| nrms!' and the Battle Song" sung during the
brief but decisive struggle, is brilliant piece Of
writing and very dramatic in its effect. The
snlligglers are overpowcrcd, and acknowledge the
sovereignty of the crown. HiOidHe is released and
joins Enrique and thus tue opera ends to the salts
The music throughout is excellent. Its heavier
Juan the majority Oi the operas now so popular on
the American stage nut never becomes tedious
Mr.. SOusa awaited himself of every urtiiCe known
TO the science of music 10 hcightGn the effect His
orCheStralion Is free and bright his harmoniCs
bold, but not abrupt. While the melodies in this
opera are smooth and sparkling the main success
Is IN The concerted numbers and ChOruSCS. The
queen, around whom the entire opera centres, was
splondidly enacted by Mrs Josephine Logan, who
possesses contralto voice OF unusual power
and compass Accustomed to the stage,
she Is perfectly free in her action.
She looked aud acted the part to perfection. She
was frequently encorCd in her solos, and madca
very favorable impression on the audience. Miss
Eva NILS, always II iHvOrite, made the most of n
comparatively small part. She was in good voice.
and received very large portion Of the applause,
NJ e. d, Hay as agDIs was simply immense. Mr.
Hay always enters into every part he undertakes
with hcartincss that makes success certain
His business throu ghout was good, and cspC-
cially were his " Patience" attitudes npprec ated
Mr. L. j. Whippe, although novice on the oper-
attic stage, appeared TO be perfectly at his ease,
| and received an enthu!astic encore on his /" am
Who made hit in THE True Hearts Of spain ;
hir John o. Pugh sang and acted Enrique in his
usual effective manner. The music allotted the
tenor was not great, but Mr.. Pugh's manly and
sweet voice made the most of the opportunity Of
icred him, while his acting showed his perfect
familiarity with every resource Of the stage. Mr.
J. Rule sang the solo in the soldiers chorus with
good effect The chorus was the main feature of
thc performance. The seventy fresh voices sang
the heavy choruSes with great effect, and Were
repeatedly encored More especially was this the
case III inc second act, WhlCn II possible Is
brighter than the first. In IL squad
of the National Rifles, under command of Lieu
tenant j. f. Oyster, were introduced a. the carbi-
neers. and carried the house by storm with their
magnificent maneuvring and manual. The entire
performance was unusually smooth for first per-
iOrmAncc. At the close the talented author and
composer were congratulated by host Of friends
on their production and the enthusiastic reception
of the same. The "Smugglcrs" will be givun at
two o'clock this afternoon and ut eight o'clock To-
night
The scenery, representing a rocky nook, was
very appropriate and neat, and was specially de-
signed and arranged for this opera by Colonel H.
A. SGligson, the stage manager