National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-02

Will marry MIN IL Nor latncE CouinhHuo it'
They express their JOY by dancing glcetully,
when their hilarity is suddenly interrupted
by an exclamation from POmaret, who has
discovered postscript, which he reads: " r.
S.--I will merely observe in closing Mons
Pomaret, that should this marriage tako place
you will inevitably spend the remainder OF
your DAYS in tho Eastile." This puts differ
ent phase on tho matter, and concerted
number follows, which is one of the grandest
musical effects OF tho opera. The chorus
sing: ,-,
The Bastilel The Bastile! oh, horrible fate
There's woe In the clGng of tue Bastlle gate!
This refrain the chorus continues through.
out, as an accompaniment to the quintette,
which follows
Oh a terrible place is the Basule,
With dungeons deep under the ground
And in no place else can such vast deal
OF stygiGn darkness be found
Oh, the culprt will lind ont his error
Ifhe OF his bravery boasts,
For he'll have no emotion but terror
He'll have no companions but ghosts!
For the hair turns white
In single night,
So ancient legends say;
And he who is led
Through It's gates It's said,
VIII nevermore see day.
Tho melody which is carried through this
number by Desiree is one of the sweetest airs
which has been written for o modern comic
opera, and the blending of the voices of the
other principals, the chorus in an entirely
different movement and the orchestral effects
combine to make this a most stirring musical
production. The Count sings to Pomaret:
But my dear SIR you cannot help seeing
III years you nre getting on well,
And the slight Inconvenience Of being
Hereafter immurcd in cell
Will be only peaceful retirement
From all the veXauons of life;
twas kindness to you that my sire meant
Approving my choice ofa wife.
At tho conclusion of this scene every one
departs except Desiree, tho Count, and POma-
ret. The Count suggests to the old mercer
that he is rapidly sinking into the grave, and
that it can matter very little to him, or any
one else, where he spends the brief remnant
of his wretchGd existence, and that besides 1t
would be unspeakable happiness to sacrifice
himself for his daughters happiness.
Pomarot, however, does not look at it in that
light, and orders tho Count to leave the
premises and never show his face in the shop
again. This the Count Indignantly refuses
to do, and tells Pomaret that if he cannot
remain as his daughters suitor he will stay
rs a customer, and calls on the old man TO
bring out everything he has got, one article
at time He calls for gloves, but they do
not suit him, and he finally calls for rib
bons ~ in so violent way that Pomaret be-
comes alarmed and turns over the ribbon-box
TO Desiree.
The Count insists that Desiree shall pin
tho ribbons to various portions of his attire,
intimating that he intends to he covered
from head to foot. While she is perfbrming
ibis task, the Count kisses her hands repeat
edly. Pomaret tries to interfere, but gets
his fingers pricked. Pomaret finally thinks
OF an expedient to get rid Of the Count, and
calling Marie, instruGts her to take the
Counts orders, and with a sarcastic speech as
70 the hour Of closing leaves with Desiree
Fl" This plunges the Count into wild despair
aud when Marie asks for his orders, he tells
her to leave him in SO wild manner that
she runs out alarmed. When she is gone the
Count exclaims pathetirally: Even she
deserts mo-" He then rushcs out himself
leaving the stage free for the first appear
ance Of the tenor, the Marquis de Lavarre
colonel of the kings musketeers
who enters and sings beautiful aria
"'Tis Bliss to Him Who Sips" This il
perhaps, tho most finished song Of the opera
The Count enters hurriedly, and is about t.
rush off again when the Marquis detains hin
and inquiries the cause of his woebegone ex
preston. The Count states the case to hi
friend, who says Would your father con
sent to your marriage if Desiree were a bar
oncss or countess instead of mercer's daugh
ter?" Undoubtedly" replies the Count
"Then you shall marry her." says the Mar
auis. "But how?" "rhat's my affair" ant
the Marquis raps on the counter. He send
the Count of, telling him to return in tifteer
minutes He summons Pomaret, who recog
nizing him as the Counts intimate friend
thinks he has come to plead the cause of th
rejected suitor, and Is prepared to resist an.
influence in the Counts behalf, as he has N
desire to tako up his abode in the Bas
tile. To the old mans great surprise
the Marquis himself proposes for hi
daughters hand. Pomsret is overioyed
as a marquis for a son-in-law exceeds even hi
widest dreams. The Marquis attaches
condition that the wedding shall take plac
within an hour, to which Pomaret gladl.
consents, and summons his daughter, ant
tells her that she is to be married in forty
five minutes. Then follows a concerte
number and quartette. Desiree, though a
extremely obedient daughter, dislikes bein
disposed of in this summary manner Pona
ret fails to inform her who the prosperity
husband is to be, and she naturally suppose
he Is to be the Count. She Sings
I'd not he Indifferent were in love-
For love has wondrous power,
To which Pomaret replies;
There's plenty of time to fall In love,
We've given you nearly IN hour.
Then follows quartette:
The student ofloye, on It's theory bent
Has never yet fixed us time.
The period OF its Development
In any age or climoi
For love may be born, and may WELD tts sway
With all its despotic power,
In year, or month, or week. or day,
Or even within an hour
In the dialogue that follows Deslree learn
that IL Is the Marquis ana not the count Una
abe is to marry She very modestly cor
sents and is led out by Pomaret and Marie
prepare for the ceremony. In this seen
Pomaret, out Of the abundance of his jo,
succeeds in being very comical. The Cour
now comes in full OF excitement and expectf
tion as to the result OF tho interview, bein
entirely in the dark rs to the manner /
which the objections of Pomaret to hi
marriage with Desree were to bo removed b
the Marquis. The dialogue between the tw
men which follows is most amusing. Th
Count, as usual is all impetuosity, and tb
Marquis is extremely cool and quiet, Whe
the latter states that ho himself is to MARI
Desiree the Counts rage 10 excessive, II
denounces the Marquis as traitor and d.
mands satisfaction at the point OF the sWor'
and tho Marquis is about to impart SON
weghty secret by way Of explanation, who
they arc interrupted by tho entrance of Laur
and the chorus All surround tho CouI
and congratulate him. thinking no
Dssiree's intended husband. The Cou
endeavors TO got at the Marquis, who h