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

took of the nature of grand ovation to the
composer and the American librettist. There
wero inaccuracies and inequalities, of course
and several of the best numbers in tho second
act were completely spoiled. These mishaps
arc unavoidable in first performances, how
over.
We have no hesitation in saying that we
believe "Desiree' to be pronounced success
and that the new production will have
long and very profitable run. The second
act can be and will DO very materially
amended to advantage. The development of
tho plot, as it is now arranged, is too auto.
matte, and the two last scenes might be
transposed without injury. This much in q
scoding vein.
"Desiree" is full and bubbling over with ex-
quisitely delicious music, and the libretto is
a jewel in its way. Tho only drag Is In the
dialogue. which is the work Of Mr.. Morton,
the lyrics being the work of Mr.. Taber OK
clusivoly. There can be nothing prettlor
than tho FIRST act. 1t Is a perfect operate
gem, and the audience last night went wild
with enthusiasm, there being no less than
dozen encores before the curtain went down
for intermission.
Miss Lily Post, who assumed the title role.
gave a delicious and refreshing impersona-
tion. All Of her numbers wero sung with q
gracefulness and tho intuition of an artistic.
In the second act she was rather uncertain OF
portions Of tho dialogue, but unsteady speak
ing her performance was decidedly
credtable. Her rendition of tho
waltz song in the second act
was 4 revelation, and every opportunity
which was presented to her she improved to
the utmost. Mr.. n. A. Grips as Pomaret
was in measure disappointment Mr..
Cripps labors undor the pleasing delusion
that he is comedian. He is conscien tious
in everything that he does, but he utterly
failed to grasp the possibilities of
contain tho cevercst verses of tho
entire libretto, were well-nigh lost through
his inability to improve his opportunities.
Miss Rose Leighton, OH the contrary, gave q
delightful and decidedly original conception
of the eccentric schoolmistress, Laurie. She
had only q little to do, but that little was
done by true artist.
Miss Virginia Evans sang Marie splen-
didly, but she was awkward and amateurish
in her acting. Mr.. Mark Smith played the
part of Count de Courville fairly we'll, and
that is all that can be said Of this portion of
his performance The singing of tho
descriptive song in the second
act was one of the striking features of the
performance. Mr.. Jay Taylor has a pleasing
voice and sung the role of Marquis de Lavarre
with superb effect. The minor impersona-
tions were nicely rendered, and the choruses
and concerted pieces were grandly given.
The encores were the rule rather than the ex-
ception. 1t would tax the memory to re-
call single important number of the
opera which did not receive hearty recogni.
tion by the audience. Between the acts
Messrs. Sousa and Taber were called before
the curtain in response to enthusiastic
plaudits, and bowed their acknowledgment
while several handsome floral tributes were
handed over the footlights.
"Desiree" will hold the boards for the re-
mainder of the week, with Saturday matinee.
THE WAGNER CONCERT.
The admirers in this city of tho genius of
the great German composer, whose music has
been styled "the music of the future" have
never had q greater musical feast spread be-
fore them than in the entertainment at
Lincoln hall last night. That tho lovers of
Wagnerian music in Washington are numer-
GUS is attested by the fact that tho concert
attracted larger audience than was ever be-
fore assembled within the walls of Lincoln
hall. The character of the assemblage
was noticeable, too. Not only were all our
local musicians present, but the representa-
tives of our most cultured and fashionable
I. E,.n
toilets of the ladies and the evening suits
of the gentlemen made as brilliant q spects-
Gle Of the kind as has ever been witnessed in
Washington. The programme embraced Sc
lections from 'Tannheuser," "Parsifal,"
Tristan aud Isolde" and "Die Walkuro,"
and gave perhaps as complete an illustration
Of the gradual progress of Wagner's musical
genius as could we'll be selected.
Whether Wagner has realized in his com.
positions his ideas in regard to the possibili-
ties of musical expression, whether the
faint traces of melody which now and then
burst upon the ear in grateful rythmical
cadences, are sufficiently satisfying to COM
pensate for the mass Of description with
which his works abound, and whether this
absence of melody is test of his greatnes
or proof of the fact that he
was continually striving to force
music to accomplish impossibilities in the
painting of pictures or the portraying of
emotions, will be a matter Of serious debate
for some time to come There is one thing,
however, that even his most violent oppo-
nents are forced to admit and that Is that no
composer, not excepting the divine Beetho-
ven, has been able to secure such
wonderful orchestral effects. Wagner
had the most perfect knowledge of
the capabilities of every orchestral
instrument, and has combined them
in so many and intricate ways as to produce
effects never before listened to. Mr.. Theo-
of Wagnerian music in this country, and last
nights work showed that in the treatment
of all the selections his large and complete
orchestra had imbibed something Of his own
enthusiasm. With their execution there was
not the slightest fault to find, from the beau
tiful andanto movement with which the
"Tannhnusor" overture commenced to the
weird strains of the magic fire scene in "Die
Walkure." a
The soloists are known to be tho best in
terpreters OF Wagner, and their efforts were
we'll received. Nine. Materna has q soprano
Of great range, Of exceptional purity, and
with volume and power rarely met with,
In all the numbers assigned her she gave the
music with dramatic foroo and intensity
that showed herself thorough and
accomplished artist. In tho finale from