National Republican., 1883-04-03
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
FoRp's-THE sMUGeLEns.


After many months of waiting, and Of
perseverance in the face of very great dis.
couragements, Messrs Vance and Sousa have
succeeded in producing their opera, "The
Smugglers." Whether or not they view the
result with satisfaction is matter of con-
lecture. Had they been half so blessed
in the ability of their company as
in the good will of their audience
last evening, there would at least have been
moro TO congratulate them upon this morn
ing. Tho opera house was we'll filled, the
military organizations of the city being some
what gorgeously represented, and the friends
of the beneficiary corps and of the chorus
people being out in force. The performance
began with pleasurable impetus.
A strong disposition to encourage
it was manifested from almost the opening
note. As the first act wore along, flowers in
elaborate designs were passed over the foot
lights regardless of the interruptions they oc-
casioned and nearly every number was de-
manded n second time. The event proved
the injudicious character of all this kind
ness. 1t exhausted itself too early in the
evening. Tho curtain fell upon the
end of the first act in an almost total silence.
Then came an unfortunate military drill by
tho National Rife corps, by which conti-
nuity of interest in the opera was beauti-
fully frustrated. The second act was like
beginning all over again, and an effort was
required to force attention to it. Here the
general incompetence of the performers be-
gan to thrust itself upon the notice of the
least observant and the work run down
miserably to an impotent conclusion.
1t was not failure, but it was less than
half success. Looking at tho opera as
favorably as possible, and charging it with
none of the shortcomings of tho singers, it
seems deficient in vital power Messrs.
Vance and Sousa seem to have written
it rather because they wished to
write an opera than because they had
anything to write an opera about 1t iswith-
out any discoverabe primary reason, and its
structure in libretto and score is consequently
uncertain, if not prevailingly flaccd. The
story is already so generally familiar that il
need not be recounted in full. The queen
of band of smugglers (who are indif.
ferently bandits or gypsies) located in any
operatic territory you please that has noun,
tains in it, has learned from the cards that
she is to wed the first captive taken by hel
picturesque subjects. This happens to bC
cockney photographer named Stubbs, whC
is wrapped in royalty much against his will
and is called upon to approve his mettle by
ga deed of blood" which he escapes perpe
trating through the fortuitous intervention o
scene from "Rosedale," introduced by {
certain Enrique, who has marshaled tn,
Apollo club with guns to the rescue of hi
Yiolante, who is also captive The concei
| is not a bad one. 1t has comedy
possibilities which might have beer
more thoroughly wrought out. 1t i
set to music that is chiefly remarkable
for the felicity of its lighter phases. Mr.
Sousas muse is reluctant to sing in any softl!
sentimental strain, but carols joyously, will
free and natural lightness, to the patter o
heel and toe or the click of cas-
tanets. There is rather pleasing
melody in tho second act, for Violante--" Th
maiden sat with folded hands land tn
Queen has pretty song in the first act. TIL
solo pieces for the men have nearly all
forced effect. There is concerted piec
in the first act which may be called tn