The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-20

CollulDulOn W tue OpcTllc WOrlu, anu uu-
other which, while not Immediately from
the pen OF its composer, that romantic
Irish genius lBalfe, is. nevertheless
wholly new TO our people, as il is TO most
parts of the South and West. That the
plot and motif OF both these operas may
be understood beforehand, The APPEAL
presents synopsis OF both, brief to be
sure, but amply disclosing their intent.
Jhc Yeomep of the Guard.
This, the latest by Gilbert and Sullivan,
Is n strange, grotesque conceit from first
to last, but is replete with rich and melo-
dious music, taking songs and much part
singing, that goes with iorceful swing and
stirring effect. The story is brief: On
Tower Green, London sixteenth century,,
Phoebe Meryll, daughter of Sergt. Meryl,
OF the Tower, aud AIilired Shadbolt, head
jailer and assistant tormentorof the Tower,
are discovered in the opening scene
PhWbe spinning aud Shadbolt coming ON.
The latter loves Phoebe, but sho detosts
him and does not take the trouble 20 hide
it. They talk Of the execution which is to
be held that evening OF one Col. Fairfax,
on charge Of sorcery, and who is then
confined in the Tower. Men and women
come on, followed by leomen Of the
Guard, led by Sergt. Aieryll. Dame Car
ruthers, housekeeper, follows, and after
singing "fhe Screw May Twist and the
Rack May Turn" goes of to make matters
IA comfortable "a possible for Fairfax.
Sefg,. Meryll expects that very day his
son Leonard to come from army service to
join the Guard, and Leonard arrives un-
observed by the sentinel. Mcrylrs SYM
pathios are with Fairfax and he wants to
save him. lie prevails on Leonard TO
leave his Guard uniform and remain in se-
clusion until wanted. Phoebe wheedles Mil
| fred, purloins the KEYS from his pocket
aud give them TO the Sergeant who goes
to FairiaX's cell with the uniform. Mean
time the Lieutenant OF the Tower. has
come across Elsie Maynard. n slrolling
singer, aud jack Point, her Jester
companion. and prevails upon her
20 marry Col. Fairfax for Gl00
Fairiax's object in marrying being
to thwart the purpose OF his cousin, who
has had him condemned for sorcery. in
order 10 secure his estate. Fairiax's mar
riagc would divert the estate. Elsie con.
sonls on certain conditions, aud is married
prevails on Fairfax TO put on Leonards
uniform, shave clean and pass Tor Leonard.
The plan works. Fairfax is thought TO
have escaped aud there is great commo-
ton. Point, who loves Elsie, is desperate
because Fairfax escaped instead OF being
beheaded. Fairfax as Leonard gets into
all sorts OF ludicurious situations. Elsie
thinks he Is Leonard and falls in love with
him. She is his (Fiiriax') wife aud lac
dare not reveal IL. From one comical ana
serious situation 20 another the plot works
up 10 grand climax until in the denoue-
ment Fairfax is reprieved and claims his
wife Elsie, Dame Carruthcrs captures
| Scrgt Meryll, Phoebe at last takes Wilfred
aud all ends happily. with great ensemble
work and chorus work throughout the
| opera Some Of the character songs, duOs,
trios etc, are captivating. As Elsie
| Maynard Miss Abbott plays an unique
character and has made great hit Miss
AEhandalc. Ber,ini, Alrclla, prud,tc.
| Frederick, MoniegriHo, Allen, Abdill,
Karl all appear In the east aud a number
OF others, together with grand chorus aud
orchestra.
''RosE or cAsriLE."
When Bale set about TO compose this
opera little did he dream he would create
such beautiful aud soulful work upon a
| plot 30 full OF humor, weave together 10
much pathetic beauty OF melody aud such
pking, taking, sparkling airs, with humor
| dropping from them like pearls In the sun.
| But he did it. and the work will forever
remain 10 mark his name aud continue his
| fame. The story in brief u.s. Eyira (thc
| Rosc Of Cnstilcl Is Queen Of CASTLE, aud
While yet In youthful restraint is a.lilnccd
/ to the infant. Don Sebastian. Neither las
over seen the other. At length the Young
| Queen determines 10 see her bcthrOthcd,
| bat In disguise, aud she makes known her
determination 20 her maid oi honor Car.
| men, whom she can trust. The two a.
sumo disguise the Queen as peasant and
! Carmen as n cavalier, and set cut to 90 to
! Don Sebastian. Tho latter moved 10y
! similar impulse, has set out 10 iinl the
Qncen, and DISCUSSES himself ~ a mule
iecr, Manuel. They meet by chance IN
the mountains, not knowing each other,
and Manuel offers his protection. Don
| Pedro, cousin TO the Queen, aud other
mobiles appear aud consplre against
| the Queen In order 20 secure the
| throne Tor Pedro. They find IlNm
| aud prevail on her TO 20 with them
/ 10 Murcia, the capital. She suspects
/ h'NNilf hllA ENNHf hANNANl ANiANMtNki
! Act III. introduces the grand court,
Elyim on her throne, in council, Manuel
enters, and, bgholding the Queen aud
/ maid Carmen, recognizes In them the
| peasant and cavalier OF the mountains,
but says nothing An extremely humor.
Gus meeting follows and the three sing n
| wonderful laughing trio. Pedro presses
| his conspiracy. Manuel discovers his plot
| and reports 90 the Queen, who oniraps
Pedro aud the other conspiraton. Mean.
! time the mobiles, who think tho peasant
Elvira Is In safe keeping, discover her
! wonderful resemblance 30 the Queen.
| Pedro Is convinced that the Queen aud the
/ peasant are the same, and offers his hand
/ 20 Elyirp, the peasant. She rejects. Pedro
| then asks her 10 marry Manuel. She COM
| plies. Then In Act Ill. Pedro In court
| demands her abdcaiion OF the throne on
the ground Of having married a muleicor
Manuel here appears, charges Don Pedro
/ with conspiracy, makes known his plot,
aud, throwing oil his disguise, proclaims
| himself Don Sebastian, King OF CASTLE.
| The opera has magnificent mounting and
co,lnning Miss Abbott's toilets being OF
the most elaborate and costly and well
worth journey TO SEQ.
.rur REPERTOIRE As A WHOLE.
The above are the new operas In the
| repertoire. but the others are not 10 DO
| ot',,ioob : NO, IA thorc any danger they