The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20
THE NEW OPERA. ''NADJY."
THE SUCCESSOR OF "ERMINIE" AT
THE CASINO.
Marie Jansen In the Title Role-Pretty,
but Duli-A Critical Estimaee-south
srn Writers Receiving Gsnerous,Reo.
ignition.

Special Correspondence Of The Appeal.
NEw YORK, May 16.-A first night ct
the Casino had become such rarity,
after the unprecedented two-year run Of
"Erminie," that there had been spirited
demand for the past four weeks or more
for places for the "Premiere OF Nadjy."
This interesting event occurred Monday
night and numerous and brilliant audi
ence crowded the house in every part to
hear the new operetta. The performance
had an especial interest in the appearance
Of Marie Jansen in the title role in place
of Miss Martinez, who had retired few
days ago from the cast in huff Of consid-
cradle proportions. The substitution
turns out to be most fortunate, Miss jan
sen, after only four days Of study, scoring
genuine hit in the part. 1t is too bad,
though, to have to record in Nadjy thethird
flasco in ightopera productions in less than
fortnight. That the press notices have
not been severe, or even just, is no cri-
terion, for unless musical or dramatic
presentation is as wofully bad as were
OConnor's attempts, the New York critics
tft buFt W Dt uOft tiitu Htuut tutlE
treatment. This is the hight Of humane
consideration for McCaull, Duff and
Arenson, but the public, in the mean
"Nadjy," like its rivals, ''The Queens
an undeniable failure, and is, besides, per-
three. Chassaigne, the composer Of
''Falka," is responsible for the music Of
this latest work, which is utterly valueless,
lacking both beauty and originality.
Planquette hasn't written a good thing
since 'Les Cloches de Corneville,"
and doubtless the same loss
OF the magic wand has be-
fallen tho secondary light-M. Chas.
saigne. An Intellectual attempt TO grace
fully introduce rs q chorus the famous
Rakoczy march, scarcely relieves the score
from complete barrenness, and one quits
the theater at the close Of the performance
without being able to recall or remember
one single air. This lack Of catchy music
in Casino operetta Is disheartening to
the innumerable clientele who depend on
the productions at this house for their
store Of melody. The lbretto Of Nadjy is
no better than the music. II is written by
Edwards, an Englishman, and abounds in
that dismal distraction known rs British
bumor. The only excuse that the audi
ence could find for laughter was in the
very much overlone local gagging with
which, by the way, the performance was
replcte, but the recollection OF Wilson's
inimitable drollery lowered about
the scene and seriously handi-
capped the comedians in their heroic
endeayors to be amusing. The staging Is
handsome, the costumes elegant and The
number OF pretty grlson the stage refresh
ingly plentiful. Beyond this and its
effective stage pictures, "Nadjy" has moth
| ing TO entitle IL 10 more than n short run,
and by the time the dog days are come,
there will doubtless he change OF bill at
the Casino Before dismissing Mondays
performance from consideration a word
should be said about Jansen's great entree
In the second act. "Nadjy" is the premiere
ballcrine OF the Vienna opera, and is sup
posed 10 come with the ballet after the
opera TO dance at the wedding oi->the
Count Rosen. The danscuses have arrived
before their leader, and are prctiily grouped
In n scmi.circle across the stage. Suddenly
figure completely envelopcd in a long
wrap Of fur and velvet, dashcs into
tie full glare Of the calciums
| Tho wrap II lifted oil with a chic and grace
ful movement, and Nadjy, in very abbrc-
waited cloud OF black tarlatan, wearing
black tights, black slippers, and on her
raven black hair n jaunty black icz. stands
out against the light fur background n
more bewiichingly fascinating fancy. A
piquantly pretty face and plcasingly
plump figure, perfect combination the ef-
feet Of which Is best described as electrical.
At lis last gathering Of the season
Thursday evening the Southern society
had as lis guest Richard Malcolm Johnson,
OF Baltimore. Col. Johnson's kindly iaco
and charming manner were remembered
from the meeting OF American authors in
the winter, and he renewed by his reading
on this occasion from MARX Langton"
the cxcellentimprossion he made In Chick
cring hall last November. Robert Burns
Wilson, the promising young poet OF
Frankfort, Ky, read some Of his graceful
verses, and pleased every one immensely
with the unexpected denouemcnt Of his
"Coquctic." A liberal collation. In the
Brunswick's best style and the singing %
favOrite southern songs brought the meet