New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-18
MUSIC.
THE NEW OPERETTE.

All the evidences Of joyful anticipation which have
marked the first performances OF opercttas by
Messrs Gilbert and sullivan IN tho past. were re-
peated at the Casino last night, when the latest
creation Of those genial collaborators In the field
Of musical comedy was brought forward for the first
ums IN America. The audience crowded every part
of the theatre and the gathering was as brilliant In
annearance az Il was numerous And. II such
vague comparison is allowable. it was as attentive
as IL was both numerous and brilliant
So much has been printed about The Yeomen
Of the Guard; or the Merryman anu BIS
Maid, that IL is not necessary !" say
ANYTHING about the story which is dramatically
told In n whether as a comedy it will develop and
maintain popular interest such four or I'VE OF us
predecessors enjoyed is a riddle which no dscrees
writer would attempt to solve between mldhgh' anu
the hour OF sending morning newspaper ~ p
There are some external features which WI" noup"o''
initiate against such result, not the least sgnincah'
being that It's pictures ere neither so numerous h''
dyerting sthose which Gilberts art steadily gave Us
nom "Pnafore, to "The Mkado.' There are only
two acts and the stage set is the same In both men,
too there are changes Of costume to speak OF, anu
after those many playgocrs who have got iho 'ne nao
of demanding diversion for their eyes as well a. 'he'r
ears and gnatons have enjoyed the pleasant sur
prise which Mr. Gilbert has provided with the PCT
IRE OF life about the old Tower Of London In the SIX
tcenh century, they will IN all likelihood long for ono
of those magical turns of the KALEIDOSCOPE WIN
which they have often been entertained ana long
in vain Pretty groupings there are, and picturesque
GOWNS and the usual amount Of concerted posing ana
cesfurIng: but paucy OF action in the comedy Is
palred with of variety In It's external FURNISH
ngs, and this circumstance IS likely TO beget some
disappointment
Mr. Gilbert IS one OF the most IN
genlous dramatic architects alive, and his shil
and nventveness I'm constructing libreto and sup
ply ng the verbal skeleton for the musical niesumens
which Sir Arthur furnishes are unparalleled; SO that
though one NAV be disappointed at times with the
general eli oct Of h pieces there is so much that IS
delightful in the details that hasy generalization in
pronouncng judgment is unwise. The verdict Of the
audience last night distinctly IN favor OF the new
operetta If 1t IS to be read I'm tho amount Of applause
bestowed and the number Of separate pieces re-de-
manded. Tho fact that much the greater number OF
these of approval occurred In tho
progress Of the first act sanctions the
statement that they were tributes to the
talent of the musical composer rather than
the Ibrettls; for It is In the first act that all that
We have been accustomed to look upon as peculiarly
Cilbertian IS chiefly wanting. Mr. Cilberts true
province Is the satrlca and the new comedy IS as
Innocent of satire as 1t is Of that strangely Inverted
logic which furnished amusement in his previous
works even Rudy gore' in measure that no other
writer of musical comedy has approached But
much Of the ldmo literary grace TO be found In
the new lines, and with 1t an essay into new heds
that bound to give pleasure 10 the lo'erS oi
the innocent and wholesome I'm Operetta compost
ton Sir Arthur sulliyan's music Is perhaps not a.
successful I'm the sentimental portions as 1t is In the
comical but IT is full of ingenious and reconcile eff
Of orchestration and there Is no lack OF those
refreshing and inspirltIng eusons which please Tor
the and viii be called up by the memory with
delight. The representation passed on with
considerable smoothness considering the disadvantages
under which Manager Aronson and his people worked,
but all Of the people except Miss Urquhardt (%ho
deserves special mention for the manner I'm which she
spoke her linesl better grounded in the music
than the text. The ensembles went unexpectedly
well; recent experiences at the Casino had not led
the expectation that the score would be treated as
well It was. Miss Ricci, Miss Gerrtsh Mr. Ryley
and Mr.. Solomon divided the pauds OF the house I'm
partially, and an outburs Of enthusiasm at the CLOSE
of the first act called for the appeaa OF stage
Manager Barker and Musical Conductor Williams Dc
fore the audience.