National Republican., 1884-04-08
ADJUSTMENTS.


The first presentation at Ford's last night
of Gilbert and sullisans last opera, "The
Princess Ida" was greeted with very
large audience. The company selected by
Mr.. John ID. Stetson is n superb one and
tho opera could not have been presented
under moro favorable conditions of costumes
and scenery, yet when the curtain fell on
the last act there was q feeling that the
famout collaborators had fallen just below
the high standard they have created for
themselves in their earlier compositions
Tho dialogue is sparkling, and Is
marked with tho keen satire which
is so characteristic of Gilbert and with that
droll humor, with a dry English flavor which
is certain to excite the risbilities of any
audience. In tho music there are many evil
dcnccs that Justify the assertion that it is tho
weary labor of tired brain. 1t will be re.
memberod that Sullivan had just completed
this work when he was stricken down with n
dangerous illness at the very first presenta.
tion of the opera. In every act the numbers
fall just short of that complete success which
Mr.. Sullivan has always attained hitherto.
Tho cast last night was unusually strong.
Miss Cora Tanner, in the title role, de-
serves tho high praise she has received from
Metropolitan critics, while the Lady Psyche
of Miss Bernister and the Melissa of Miss
Dclaro deserve special commendation. Miss
Genevieve Reynolds as Lady Blanche gave
delicious bit of comedy that redeemed some
of the duller numbers of the opera. Sig
Brocolini as Hildebrand made the most of
this for him rather obscure role
and was ably seconded by Messrs.
Lang, Rising, and Wilkinson. The three
warrior sons of King Cana, Messrs. Scott,
Strini, and Cloney, were decided and striking
portions of the tableaux. The best numbers
of the opera arc perhaps the "Hurrah
chorus and "oh, Daisy Violet of the pro-
logue; the trio, Here We Are," the solo
and quartette, The World is But Broken
Toy of the first act, and the solo, IL Built
Upon Rock" and the final chorus OF the last
act. While tho opera will not be as great
o fsvorte as "Pinafore or "The Pirates"
it may by comparison be regarded as suc-
cess. The heavy advance sales for every
night of the week, with o half dozen large
theater parties that have taken places for
four or five evenings, indicate that "The Prin-
cess Ida" will be given proper reception by
the Washington public.
| NATIoNAL-"sAM'L OF PosEN"
The popular drama of "Saml of Posen"
was produced last evening at the National
| theater, the attendance being largo. This Is
drama replete with interesting situations,
and holds the undivided attention Of tho
audience from the rise to tho fall Of tho cur
tain upon the last act Mr.. NJ. b. Curtis as
Samuel Plastrick, a commercial drummer, is
| tbn to, A..
is one peculiar to himself, and in which
he has gained an enviable notoriety. He is
ably supported, and especial mention de-
serves to be made of 1. l.. Morgan as Frank
Bronson, Edgar l.. Davenport as Jack
Cheviot, Miss Athena De her as lille. Coleste,
and Miss Josie Wilmero as Rebecca. The
play will hold the boards throughout the
week, including the Saturday matinee. At
the Wednesday matinee Mile. Albena De Mer
will appear as Camille.
THE ST. CECILIA QUARTETTE.
The St. Cecilia quartette will give grand
concert on Easter Monday evening at the
Congregational ohuroh, under the auspices of
the Carroll institute. They will be assist cd
been announced for publication, but
j ~ VIII uHQucstlOudDly DC good
ono. OF this quartette it would
be superhuous to speak. Miss Minnie
Evans voice is one of the hest ever heard for
liquidity, purity, and sweetness. and in its
upper register is simply perfect Miss Det'
weller has a sweet, strong. flexible mezzo
soprano. Mrs. Powelps contralto was uni
versally conceded on the occasion of the
Thursby concert to be superb. Mrs Hattie
Mils's voice is a contralto OF phenomenal
depth, volume, and smoothness. The musica
culture Of these ladies is wide and extensive,
and this concert will prove, perhaps, the
best they have given. Reserved seats al
Ellis's.
RHEA.
The sale Of places for Easter week for Rhea
will commence on Thursday. The announce
ment, beginning with the matinee on Easter
Monday, embraces "A Terrible Woman" Ia
new comedy, '"The School for Scandal (by
Shcridan), "Muoh Ado About Nothing
(Shakspeare), "Adrienne, tho Actress
(SCribe), "Frou- Frou," "School for Scandal
Second time), Camille" Dumas, and -
Terrible Woman" second timo). Tho matinoC
on Monday will be specially interesting, and
promises to be an ovation. Rhca will thel
act in French as well as English, and produc
two comedies-one in each language.
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