National Republican., 1883-07-11
Maria Durand, the New American Prima
Donna, in London.
Success Of the New Opera, La Giocohda,
by PonchieIi.
4 Little Girl Lunches With the Quoen-A Visit 10 tho
Tower Of London.
Fete Mt the Royal botanical Gardens
Felden's Letter.
Special Correpondencs.

pIilllahJ tdlenb renocIS Une greatest nOnOr on
her country. She has appeared in three roles
up to the present, namely; Aida, Valentine
in Les Huguenots, and Gioconda in tho opera
of that name, by the Italian composer
Ponchielli.
The latter assumption has reused the
British public to the greatest enthusiasm,
and do not hesitate to place Durand at the
head of American artists. Her voice is
fine, strong, and magnifcently cultivated in
the pure old Italian method She has q sweet
face, great dramatic power, and acts as we'll
as many famous actresses. Beside that, she
is AN old, experienced artist having work cd
her way up from the very bottom of the lad
der, singing in all climcs and at all SO asons,
always with increasing success.
La Gioconda will undoubtedly be in the
American repertoire this year, Nilsson hav-
ing long wished to sing the part, IL being fit
ted to talents Of the highest lyrical order
The opera itself is one of the new Successes
of the Italian repertory. Thelibretto was writ
ten by Boito, the author Of Mehstofele, who
wrote poetry under the anagram of ToJid
Gorrto. Ponchielli is one of the great modern
composers He has written II Promess
Sposi," I'll Fignot Prodigo," ~ Litnam," and
later La Gioconda," which has had equal
success with the others.
the twenty-four hours (Il ballo dello orc as
1t is called) coming in the latter part of the
third. IL is not only fine in spectacle but
one OF the most inspired and lovely pieces of
dance music that we have ever listened to.
There are many fine numbers in the opera,
barcarolles, fnales, and one duet for two
women, Gioconda and Laura which is nightly
repeated.
In fact for tragic work it runs over with
gracious melody and passionate Italian in
spiration. The artists, chorus, and band do
their work so well that one divines their sat
lsiaction III singing good music, They seem
to revenge themselves for their uugrateful
tasks in "Lohengrin," "Meiistofele," :" "Tann-
hauser," and so forth.
Ono is not slow to remark the difference
while the German masters music is going on.
The chorus yell out of tune, the violins
Shrek, and discord is general; but put them
on their mettle singing Italian opera and one
gets splendid results out of the material at
COvent Garden. / suppose that the test of
their doing their best for the employer would
be shown by trying their prettiest in that
which they liked least, but an Italian cannot
change his nature 1t does his heart good to
sing the old masters, and each one showed all
OF his pleasure in doing LA Gioconda" to
the best Of his ability.
Tho opera is given better than any that |
have ever seen at the Italian opera in Lon
don. The costumes and scenery are fine, or
chestra perfect, and the ensemble of artists
the best that the company affords.
The dancing was less ridiculous than usual
that is about all that we can say for it, The
ballet in itself is such thing of beauty that
no bad dancers could quito spoil the enjoy
ment of seeing and hearing. 1t is indeed a
pity that Taglion's art is unknown outside of
Italy and Poland.
Lucca is singing, Patti is singing, Albani is
singing, and you may imagine what q season
lg nov fTni, DNyt 4
carmen" has out-distauced that of Minnie
Hauk to such an extent that London now
recognizes the great Berlin star as the only
Carmen since Nine. CALI Mario Miss Hauk
will break her heart.
The botanical fete last night was a grand af-
fair. Only i'll London can one see such an exhi-
bition. The Royal.Society's gardens were most
magnificent sight. Thousands of colored
lanterns hung distended in every manner from
the ancient trees. The gnared branches
cast shadows of rose color and emerald: foun-
tains played, birds sang and nature fur
nlshed her handmade art with such lavish
bounty as to beggar description.
There weroten thousand present, but only
the center promenade seemed crowded. La
dies and gentlemen, of course all in evening
dress, fitted to and fro like maidens escap-
ing from the marriage feast to the cool shell
ter of woodland boughs.
At 1870 herroyal h highness, Princess Mary
be so democratic as to call him her husbandj,
his sovereign highness the Duke of Teck,
arrived and made the grand tour of the gar
dens. They were preceded by the usual po-
licemen with the cry hats off, ana their
highnesses smiled most amicably right and
left.
OF course you will be glad to learn that
Princess Mary looks very like her cousin,
Queen Victoria. She has the bright eyes
small mouth, and heavy features of her race,
although her face is moro amiable in express
sion than that of her majesty. She is also
taller and stouter--the last almost incredible
but true.
/ noticed curious but pleasant thing
three people drawn up in line awaiting the
approach of the royal party with great anX-
iety. One, an old man, held little girl by
the hand, the third, young woman about
thirty, was standing close by. They belonged |
evidently tJ the poorest class, not even we'll |
to-do servants. At tho approach of the duke |
and duchess, they started forward bowling in |
unison, saying:
Good evening, your royal highness hope |
your royal highuess is we'll"
The duchess started with SURPRISE but |
turned with charming smile. Seeing these |
poor, dilapidated creatures, her response was |
III no wise less characteristic of great lady: |
Good evening; thanks; yes. Are you en- !
Joying yourselves? That's right" Then on |
she walked, with splendid bands playing "God |
Save the Queen" and thousands of hearts |
echoing the wish for prosperity to the royal |
family.
That gave one pleasure. 1t was so simple. |
yet no one but Il born lady could have done it |
with equal grace
II reminds me of a story about Sir Thomas
Biddulph's little girl. The queen driving out |
one day saw beautiful aud Interesting child.
On learning who were the parents, they were
all invited to luncheon with her majesty.
The child, who had been very well brought
up, had been taught manners in her nursery, I
and felt herself quite capable of judging OF
whats what" The luncheon went on, and
the queen, according to habit, took up a
chicken wing and deliberately picked at the
bone. The child stood this extraordinary
performance as long as possible, then she
burst out. Shaking a finger warningly in
Nictoria's face, she said, with awful solem.
nifty: "Oh Piggy Piggy how can you"
The queen rOarGd with laughter, and the
child has since become specialized Moral
Train M child and-away it will go.
The deceased wife's sister bill has not
passed tho house of lords, which means at
present that Princess b will not marry
her sisters widower, Prince c.. (EXcuse
my alphabetical accuIacy.)
Lord WOlseley has furnished fun for the
by his letter on the channel tun-
mel. His remarkable remarks about the
number of French who could take possession
OF Dover fortress or any other, aud the way
IN which they could do it, shows very inti-
mate knowledge with Egyptian mGneuvers
! don't think that the French as n nation are