National Republican., 1883-01-18
ADJUSTMENTS.
"rmr MARR1AGE or FIGARO"

TIE MARRlAGE OF FIGARO"
THE Marriage of Figaro" was sung by the
Boston Ideal Opera company in Fords theater
last evening. The performance was in all
essential points cOmpetcnt-in some few
things superb. The present season has offered
few things so thoroughly enjoyable; and GER
tainly nothing so grateful TO ears into which
the music of modern light opera has
so lately, so freely, and so continuously been
poured. The music o. Mozart, with its hon
est purity, its simple sweetness and light,
breaks in upon these later favorites like an
old and better love returned again. Its color
is the flush of gentle health, whore the other
is rouge. There is refreshment and exhilera-
tion in its movements, where the other goes
with the restless animation of fever and
artiice. 1t is real music, written in a day
when standards were less varied and more
severe than they are now. Nothing SO dis
tinctly marks the decadence Of operate writ
ing as the production of such work in
the midst of series of later ones. Its
compact structure, simple faithfulness to
motive, and delicate beauty of treatment
are marks of an art that seems to have been
wellnigh forgotten. 1t is very welcome adj
dition to the companys reportory, and far
within the limit of the skill. The favor
with which it is taken by their public sug-
gests that they would commit no error Of
Judgment in putting it forward more fire.
Quently, and in restoring the only other opera
of anything like equal value they have ever
done-thc Gear and Carpenter"
Messrs Whitney, Macdonald, and Morsell
were in the cast as Figaro, the Count, and
Basilio. Marie Stone was the Susanna Miss
Ulmar the Countess, and Miss Phillips the
Cherubino. Tho distribution of parts could
not have been bettered. In the second act
Miss Ulmar was paid the very pretty
compliment OF recall in open scene
The letter duo in the third act
was doubly applauded. Miss Phillips, who
labored under peculiar disadvantages in the
part assigned her, fairly won her encore upon
the chan2onet in the second act. Mr.. Whit
ney would have been singing yet had the aud
fence been given their will of him, and Mr.
Macdonald's splendid performance of the
Count got him more favor, and deserved more,
than anything else he has thus far
done. The director, Mr. Studlcy, is to be
thanked for the success with which he held
both stage and orchestra in hand throughout
the evening. There was but one brief notice
able touch of hesitation anywhere, and that
was in the third act, when the chorus became
for moment confused.
NOTES.
"pa.ience ;" will be sung by the Boston Ideal
| Opera company at Ford's tonight
BARLEY Campbell's latest success " The White
Slave" which was seen here in October last, will
| return to the National theater next week.
Aunt Polly BGssett's Singing skewl entertain-
! ment will be available to this public at Lincoln
/ hall every evening for the rest Of the week.
/ Monday of next week the Boston Ideal Opera
! company will sing " The Bohemian Girl" Tues
day, "The Mascottc;" Wednesday, "The Pirates =
Thursday, Patienoe" Friday, 1.-THE Marriage Of
! Figaro" Saturday afternoon, 1.-THE Muskoteers;"
and Saturday evening, "Tatnit2a,"
| The really remarkable business that has been
! done at the National theater for some weeks past
seems 10 continue with those favorite comedians
Robson and Crane crowded houses having so far
rewarded their efforts, and deservedly, too, for
their performances are of n high order of merit,
| Tonight they produce Shakspeare's " Comedy Of
Errors" which, for several reasons, has not been
performed in this city. Saturday evening they
present our Bachelors" with stuart Robson as
Juan Bangle aud W. II, Crane us Judge Jowler,
the woman hater, parts in which they have won
not only fame, but n good portion Of two very
comfortable fortunes.