Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-01-24
Gilbert and Sulliyan's New Opera
at the Savoy Theatre,
London.
VERSES FROM THE LIBRETTO.
[By Cable to the N. Y. Herald

than previous productions of the same
authors. The humor is subtle, but lacks
the laughter provoking element The
overture is short and there is rather fine
opening chorus, with brilliant grouping.
The trio of the Kings three sons in armor
is good. Leonora Braham sings an aria
Mr.. Grassmith has rather small part with
humorous song. Mr.. Bracey, tenor
from the Comedy Theatre, also appeared in
the opera.
THE LIBRETTO.
The plot is similar to that Of the "Prin
cess" Mr.. Gilberts play, which owes its
origin to Tennyson's poem, and which was
played at the Olympic Theatre, London.
The prologue opens with the exterior of
King Hildebrand's palace, and there is the
usual opening chorus. Prince Hilarion has
chosen the Princess Ida for his bride, and
expects her arrival in charge of King Cana.
But the King appears without her, alleging
as reason for his failure that the Princess
is shut up in a ladies' castle, to which no
man may enter. Hilarion, Cyril and Flor
ian engage to capture the Princess, and 60
disguised in female apparel to Castle Ada
mant. They are admitted to the castle,
but their sex is discovered, and the Prin-
cess, Mortified, falls into a stream in the
castle gardens. Hilarion rescues her, but
he and his companions are condemned to
death and are about to be executed when
King Hildebrand besieges the castle.
After a severe struggle it is captured, and
the ladies succumb to the victors, Princess
Ida giving her hand to Hilarion.
THE CHORUS.
The opening chorus was sung by soldiers
and courtiers, who are provided with opera
glasses
Search throughout the panorama
For sign of royal CANA,
Who to-day should cross lhe water
With his fascinating daughter
Ida is her name.
KING CANA APPEARS.
King CANA on his entry Introduces him
self
If you will give me your attention will tell you
Pm genuine philantliYopist- other kinds
sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow creatures endeayer to cor
rect.
To all their little weaknesses l open peoples
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient / de-
wise;
love my fellow creatures, ] do all the good
Yet every body says I'm such disagreeable man,
And can't tell why!
To compliments inflated I've whitening reply,
And vanity always do my best to mortify-
A charitable action / can skillfully dissect,
And interested motives I'm delighted to detect
know everybody income and what everybody
And carefully compare il with the income tax
returns:
But to benefit humanity how much plan,
Yet everybody says I'm such disagreeable man,
Yet can't think whyi
TUE cnECpIpACy
Hilarion announces his plot to capture
the princess
Come, Cyril, Florian, our course is plain,
Tomorrow morn fair Ida we'll engage
But we will use no force her love to gain,
Nature has armed US for the war we wage!
This is followed by liberalization,
Cyril and Florian:-
HIL.-Expressive glances,
Shall be our lances,
And pops of Siilery
Our light arti lery.
Well storm their bowers
With scented flowers
That we can buy.
The young men disguise themselves as
girls and 20 to Castle Adamant, where they
crave entrance The first act opens before
the castle, where the Princess encourages
her companions in their studies
Women of Adamant, fair Neophytes-
Who thirst for such instruction as we give,
Attend while unfold parable.
The elephant is mighter than man,
Yet nan subdues HIM. Why? The elephant
Is elephantine everywhere but here Tapping her
forehead
AS woman's brain to mans that's rule OF
three)-
Conouors the foolish giant of the woods,
AS woman in her turn shall conquer man!
In mathematics, woman leads the way
The narrow minded pedaht still believes
That two and two make four, Why, we can
prove,
We women-household drudges as we are
That two and two make five-or three-or seven;
Or five and twenty if the case demands
Diplomacy? The widest diplomatic
Is absolutely helpless in our hands;
He wheedes monarchs-woman wheedlss him.!
Logic? Why, tyrant man himself admits
It's waste of time to argue with woman!
Lady Blanche gives her views on philos-
ophy:-
Come mighty Must!
inevitable Shall!
In thee trust,
Time weaves my coronal
Go, mocking Is!
Go, disappointing Was!
That am this
Ye are the cursed cause!
Yet humble second shall be first,
1 ween;
And dead and buried be the curst
Has Been,
Oh, weak M1Snt
Oh, May. Might Could, Would, Should!
How powerless ye
For evil or for good.
In every sense
Your moods l cherries call,
What'ere your tense
Ye are imperfect all
We have deceived the trust thst I've shown
Away! The Mighty Must alone
Shall be!
WITHIN THE WALLS.
The Young men arrive and sing trio
am a maiden cold and stately,
Heartless l. with face divine,
What do want with a heart inna.ely?
Every heart meet is mine
Naughty, humble. coy or free,
Little care l what maid may be,
So thatsa maid is fair to see,
Every maid is the maid for me!
They are admitted to the institution, but
their identity is discovered by Pysche,
Florian's sister, whom has has not seen for