The Evening critic., 1882-09-13
Tho " Merry war. at rord,s.

Strauss " Merry War;" tho new opera, VIII
be produced by Charles L. Ford's Comic Opera
company Mt Ford's opera.Houso on Monday,
September 20, which will DO tho opening OF
tho regular season. OF Its initial performance
in Baltimore, the american says
a very large audience assembled n. Ford's
Opera House last night TO witness tho initial
performance In this city OF strauss Merry
War" by Charles e. Ford's Comic Opera Com
pany. Notwithstanding the inclemency OF tho
weather, almost every seat In the house was
taken long before the curtain arose. Among
the audience was the entlro New Orleans dole
cation TO the oriole, for whom extra seats had
been reserved in tho orchestra circle, ana q
number Of other visitors who have come to at
tend the celebration. The opera, which
is ono Of tho most enjoyable and
amusing Of Strauss compositions, was
excellently rendered, and the chorus, as we'll
encored. The music, like all OF Strauss, Is
bright and vivacious, Astounding in sprightly
and charming passages, and almost every
alternate with others In being the leading ono
OF the play. This was the case In the rendi-
tion last evening. Mr.. Charles F. Lang, In the
the part OF the General In a happy manner.
Charles II. Drew is an old Baltimore favorite,
and took the part OF tho Marquis In capital
style. His song In the first act OF Tho
Easiest Ways the Best" was sung with great
effect, and called for an encore. As the Dutch
tulip planter, George Denham was simply Inn
mense, his overwhelmingly funny style convuls-
ing the audience with laughter. Mr.. l.. W.
Raymond, as Colonel Von Sclulten, did not have
much, but the little no uid DO was well uone.
The same may DO said Of Hans, who, although
having only the simple announcement TO mako
that supper was ready, did II with such an
amusing effect that he was rocalled--an I'M
usual thing for n minor character. Miss
Blanche Chapman played Elsa, GrootS wife,
in her usual sprightly manner. Her duet,
with Bdlhdser In tho third act was ono
of tho features of tho performance. AS
the Countess Of LCmeliine Miss Marie Dockel
never appeared to better advantage, for the
character seems admirably suited to her, nor
did she over sing better. This was shown by
the numerous recalls she received. Miss
Genevieve Reynolds acquitted herself ad-
mirably as tho digniled Princess OF Mad
spind. She rendered the drill song In tho
second act in an effective manner. The other
and marching were superb, ana tho choruses
admirably trained. At tho close OF tho first act
the orchestra played a medley of national
airs, which wero heartily appiauded by tho
visiting Southerners. Scarcely had the ap-
plauso died away when some ono
Cheers the for s"'isNT New orleans, whic S
were given with a Will. At the end of the sec.
ond act the ladies' performing were presented
by the Southerners with handsome floral
offerings. Loud calls were then made for
Charley Ford, and when he appeared before
the curtain he was also presented with a
made few remarks, In which he thanked the
audience for the cordial reception he had re
ceived, and took occasion to thank tho city OF
New orleans-some OF whose citizens were
present-for tho hearty and kind treatment he
| and his company had received while In that
city. His remarks were greeted with storms
OF applause.