New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-05
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE MERRY WAR.

Awar between two States over the double con-
&ract of a dancer is dramatic conceit which one
would think at first blush fitted only for Irce
In Strausss operetta however, this concert serves
for little more than to introduce the character anu
scenes to bring the personages OF the play in'V
court and then drops out of notice. iet An 0iS''
ms the notion is an ingenious person might nrN
historical defence for it. 1t is hardly more tlan
two generations since the manager OF Inc AiNe
Theatre in London used the British Embassy az
pari, to conduet negotiations for the engagement
of French and Italian singers, and dancers, 100
probablv and that the countries were not EN-
h-oned in war by these delicate
transactions speaks well for the diplomatic skll OF
The Prince Regents ministers They who could
GOVERN such troublesome people as opera singers
clearly proved their ability 10 govern a Kingdom
But not diplomacy alone even the military ahd p0-
lice powers have been invoked in times past TO mann
tain good government ia the tHeatre. Frederick
tina Great was won't to send detachment OF sol
aiery after rebellious prime donne. and 1t Is not
long ago that the head OF the Austrian ponce USED
10 send his commands from his box at the opera TO
The singers on the stage whenever the
cratic liking. If Strauss and his
tibrettist therefore thought fit TO conjure up a
war between Genoa and Massa-Carara for the pos
session of gifted woman whose elOquence was III
her lees instead Of her voice they were not extrVa-
CANT beyond the limits of mIrthful comedy. Inc
only serious issue remaining was whether inc val
was really merry one. and this was decided Ia lhe
affirmative two years ago.
The operetta does not acquiesee In an Lnelsn
translation so readily most others, for the lntfo
duction of Dutch personages with characteristic
essential TO the plot makes the version more aosoruy
polyeot than the original, where the tnlp planners
are Ineligible and not altogether unnatural But
In is music the operetta admirable and as II AZ
fords opportunity for the spectacular elenen'
which is the first consideration under our recent
stage education. it contains all that Is esSehlal
20 success-provided the representation DE meet
This is the case at the Casino, where II began run
lastpirht. Mr. McCalrs company is better than thal
which accomplished long season of " Inc beggar
student.n Miss Lily Post has returned, and ter
clear. rrue voice. and arch manner IND excellent
emplovnent in the part of IiOettd. Consider
alton for the graceful music of the Marquis
prnr,nt4d the engagement of Sig. Perugnl VINO
e+renr,heus the performance materially MI
Carleton presents az unchanged lmpersOIlallon VI
General fpbyto SpiaOla. vOcally and statuesquely
oood but of unOnOtOnOus hlStriOnlc style, ana NJ;
leslie iufusing some new elements OF douDtIui
ruorif into GrOOts causes good deal OF iaugntef.
Ii is TO be regretted however IN the case OF Dolh
If these men that they nave not learned that pro
fanifv even when disguised thlnly IN foreign
fOngne is neither wit nor humor. Elsa Is wei IN
I,ersOnafed and her music wei sung by 8me. 20
rely bur' 4rfelRsa does not achieve her due erect
IN Miss Gertrude OTme's representation