, 1884-10-03
A SUPERB SUCCESS.
Merry War Brilliantly Presented
at the Opera House.
Cartoons Company Captures the
Hearts of Theater-gOers.
DlavoIo" the Bill For This
Evenings Performance.

aDiS OoAhLhSueo ny Sohipttcub Oiihico i1ase
and West, wherever they have rendered
opera Their initial performance in the
Opera House last evening gave ample
evidence to a most cultivated audience
that too much bad not been said in their
favor, and that Individually, and as well as
collectively, they were beyond criticism.
Their rendition of Strauss comic opera,
The Merry Var, fairly enraptured and
delighted the audience, and at times
seemed TO drive it wild with enthusiasm.
The Merry Var is u contest between
the gallant soldiery of Genoa, led by the
handsome general ''Umberto Spinola,' -
and the fair Amazons Of Massa Carrara,
commanded by the martial Princess Ar
temisia." The scene opens when the Gus
tomary MONDAY bombshell is interchanged
by the gay b~esiegers, the Genoese and the
fair beseiged the Carraras. Just as this
critical moment the Genoese capture the
Marquis Sebastian, a dandy dude OF
the Eighteenth Century who is picking
his way towards Carrara- Another cap
ture is the Countess Violetta'' who is, of
course, young and beautiful, and is jour
neying in disguise of a peasant to the fort
ress of Ferrara where she is to be married
to the Duke of Limburg, who has sent, as
was the custom in those days, a proxy to
represent him. Fortunately for all the
participants in the merry war the brave
Geaoese also capture the Colonel Won
Scheelen" of the Duke of Limburg's"
service on his way to act in the approach
ing marriage as the aforesaid proxy. An
other capture is "Balthazar Groot," who
is decidedly Dutch, and his wife, Elise, -
who is as decidedly pretty and interesting.
The handsome commander of the
Genoese, General Spinola, before whom
all these prisoners ~severally appear, falls
in love, as he should. with the beautiful
Countess, m%asquerading as a peasant
girl, and for the boon Of a very sweet
stage kiss grants her a passport through
his army; but deeming all fair in war and
particularly so in Merry War, he has his
own name inserted in the documents,
taken from the captive "Von Scheelen,"
as the proxy in the marriage service, and
a convenient chaplain makes him the
husband of the Countess in short order
and without even incidentally considering
proxies.
The second act opens in the castle of
the princess Artcmisia,' the aunt of
''Violette. Her court ladies', trans
formed into most formidable looking
soldiers, defend the fortress against the
Genoese. Before the august presence of
"Artemisia" come the dude Marquis
and ELSE" the wife of "Groot," and tell
their adventures while in the hands of the
Genocse.
Then come "Violetta." followed by
''Spinola," and "Balthazar," the latter
ofwhom is compelled by the former to
pass himself off as Count Limburg'' and
forced to speak in no other language but
very low German. Imagine the abhor-
renee of "Violetta' for her supposed hus-
band and the natural inclination towards
her husband by proxy, the noble Count.
In the third act these complicated mat
tiers dissolve like mist before the rising
sun, ''Balthazar Groot' and his lovely
little wife forego the ~jealousies into which
circumstances have drawn them and are
naturally ~reconciled. "Spinola," by the
aid of the Marquis reveals the momentous
event to the Countess hat he is mar
ried to her in fact and not as a proxy.
Word is received that the cause Of the
Merlp Var, a dancer whom two towns
wanted, has run away, and as 10 further
cause exists for war, sweet peace and mat
rimony reigns Supremacy and joyously.
Possibly the favorite last evening was
Jessie Bartlett-D Davis as Else" A
sweet expressive face, naturalness of act
ing, and, beyond all, a rich full contralto
voice, that enraptured all who love good
music. rended her a favorite from first to
last. In the duets with Herr Gustave
Adolphi, as her husband "Balthazar,'
her rich, clear and m~elodious voice, always
sympathetic and always equal to the de-
mands upon it, won for her repeated and
hearty encores.
Miss Dora Wiley, as "Violetta," of
face and form well calculated to win the
heart Of the most noble soldier, was, as
the peasant girl and the Countess, most
charming. Her acting is beyond criticism,
her voice wonderfully clear and strong and
under perfect control. The duets Here
Me" and the THE Veal and Woe"
showed the wonderful compass of her
voice, and gained her hearty applause and
many recalls.
In the extremely masculine character
"Artemesia," Miss Rosa Beaudet was a
complete master of the situation.
As "Umberto Spinola,' Mr.. w. t.
Carleton, was a martial, dashing, soldierly
figure. A handsome face, commanding
presence, n rich baritone voice, perfect
stage training, and nothing more is needed
to portray the dashing soldier, the polished
nobleman and the ardent lover.
A most thoroughly finished and undem
onstratively effective comedy performance
was given by Mr.. Richard Golden, in tn,
character of Marquis Fllipo Sabastini,
an effeminate, gossipY, dandiied relic o
the Eighteenth Century magnificence.
IL Alal.L. I'D alLLa.a- G.ooal