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

Tho music of the march and chorus is grand
and inspiring, and Is suited to the dashing
character of the words. After this Is over
the necessary explanations follow. 1t seems
that Dumont turned traitor aud revealed the
desperate character of tho errand upon which
tho Marquis had set forth, and his brave
companions followed him. They engaged the
Spanish force in battle aud routed thom. ~
this point Pomaret hurriodly enters, know
ing nothing about the reconciliation of the
Marquis and his bride, fouri5hing docu-
mont "1t's all right, Desireop' he cx-
claims "Your marriage with the
Marquis is dissolvedT' Here is appa-
rcntly another complication, but the Count,
snatching the paper from his hand, reads
provided the parties are mutually agreed TO
separate" Ho tears tho paper, proposes to
Marie, who accepts him. Pomaret pairs OIL
Corporal with Gertrude. Everybody is happy,
and the curtain goes down on q repetition Of
the inspiring march and chorus.
The selections which we have given from
the libretto amply indicate the quality of
Mr.. Tabors work. The dialogue, or much Of
1t, we understand, Is from tho gifted pen of
Mr.. John Madison Morton, Of London aud
| we must admit that there are portions of IL
which are vapid, inoffensive, and common
| place. 1t is pity that Mr.. Taber's clever
| lyrics should be sandwiched in between
patches of dalogne, which ordinarily might
/
very fact of their closeness to tho
delicate wit and playful humor of the Amer
| can librettist they seem stilted, old FASH
ioned, and awkward. Taken oil in all, how
ever, the libretto Is tho best which has been
produced on this sido of tho water. In very
many respects it certainly surpasses Gilbert's
| iingling rhymes and quaint versifcations,
and 1t has q further point of commenda-
| tion in that It has been written for an
American audience. Mr.. Sou5a's music
is the chief matter of interest in
the performance after all 1t is light,
melodious. full of fire and vivacity,
and presents an entirely new phase of indi-
yiduaity to those who have followed tho
varying moods of 0Aenbach, Suppe, LeCocq,
Planquette, and Sullivan. Mr.. Sousa's work
marks tho entrance of q now epoch in Ameri-
can art. From the very nature of things this
| country has not, and cannot expect to have for
| years to come, a school Of music which shall
be cassed as distinctlvoy American.
"Desiree," however, is long step in tho
| right direction Captious critics may
carp and wax wroth over the advance
which the composer has made in tho
| but the sober fact will remain that these two
Washingtonians have produced the first work
deserving Of the name Of an American comic
| opera. There are but few dull plays in tho
ontire score, and these are the result of an
effort in a too ambitious direction. Mr.. Sousa
/ mas bGbu NJ 10 lHLTOuuCB bbVBTHl bBlOCIlOub
| which would seem to be made suitable for
grand opera. The contrast, of course,
is striking and startling, and it is
| largely matter of taste as to the
propriety Of such an action. We desire to
call attention to notable popularity of Mr..
Sousa's music aside from its spontaneity and
| brilliarcy. From the opening to the closing
bar there runs through 1t all vein Of origi-
nality which is totally different from that
| found in tho works of any other composer of
comic opera. 1t is difficult matter to de-
scribe this vein, which is neither crcum-
scribed to tho tuneful and"bright sparkling
melodies nor to the magnificent massing of
| the Instrumentation in the con-
certed pieces. 1t is, however, dis
tinct and more ENJOYABLE portion of tho rep
resentation OF the opera, and one which will
completely refute any charge that this part of
the work is in any degree reminiscent. We
must especially commend tho admirable
manner in which Mr. Sousa has blended the
musical shading to the sentiment Of the text,
whether IT be tho stirring march move
| mont which hovers over aud around
the musketeers, the Intoxicating swing
of the waltz songs, or the delicate
jingle of Pomaret's music. The score Of
"Desiree" offers something to the student of
i music far above tho average of such works,
1 aud in the concerted pieces Mr.. Sousa has
been peculiarly fortunate in his selection of
odd effects, none Of which, by the way, hav-
ing been made at the expense of the general
popularity of his music, There is also
solidity and forcefulness In the score rs
we'll as bewitohing and enhancing melo-
dies which bubble with quaintness to
delight tho ear. "Desiree" is q comic opera
without pun or shadow Of indelicacy in
either the scene or text 1t should meet
with hearty appreciation from tho Wash
ington public, who have always been so quick
to recognize merit in the works Of others
who live across the Atlantic.
PERRY and Girard pitch aud catch. Capitol
| RI