Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-06
OPERA AND DRAMA.
This Weeks Programmes at the Academy
and Mozart.

Wednesday evening AZ the Mozart
Academy Rice & Dixey's production
OF The Pearl of Pekin Will be
seen in this city for the first time
with the same cast, with Louis Harrison as
the feature thereof, and the same surround
ings that have received encOmiums for the
past two years in al the principal cities OF
this country.
The Pearl of Pekin is a comic Chinese
opera that deals in humorous spirit with
the French occupation OF Pekin about the
wear 1851. and SO has the contrasting effects
of French and Chinese action. Ii con-
Germs the adventures of a French quarter
master Oh board q frigate stationed at Pc
kin, who outrages Chinese law 10y kissing
Chinese girl. She happens TO be. the
daughter of the native Governor OF the
place. a very rich mandarin, who has the
Frenchman surreptitioualy conveyed 10 ms
palace aud there orders hun 10 marry the
girl he has kissed.
He is particularly 10th, but his wife,
bright and charming cauiHiere, discovers
his whereabouts, endeayOrs to rescue him,
and is foiled at first.
The marriage ceremony takes place, but
the French woman, with the cOnniyance OF
the japanese lover Of the Chinese maiden
makes a change of costumes between the
two women, 50 that the Frenchman practi-
cally marrics his own wife
In the third act the cheat Is discovered
by the mandarin who condemns the
Irenchman TO death He is only rescued
at the last moment by the activity of four
French waiter-glrls. who have disguised
themselves as Chinese to witness the mar
rage ceremony, and who hasten 10 the
French ship 10 inform them Of what Is
going on.
The entire action Of the piece IS bright,
quick. and full of animation. the plot
being strong enough to keep an audience
thoroughly interested in the frequent mis-
adventures. and therefore to listen 10 the
delehtfcl music that is interspersed
throughout the work.
Beyond this, there is an exhibition of
cOstuming that IL uuriyalled. II Is simply
superb and bewitching. The dresses deal
mainly IN primary colOrs, but the lavish
embroidery and constant contrast afforded
as they are unfolding delights the eye as
much IA the melody entertalns the ear.
The scenery is beautiful and reproduces
the genuine Chinese, as everything else
does in the production.
The east is numerous and exceptionally
strong, the bright particular star OF which,
Mr.. Louis Harrison. II Is safe TO saw, rates
with the very best cOmic-Opera comedians
ever seen on the American stage. The
chorus is comely and well trained must
cally.
The sale of seats commences tomorrow
morning, and TO Judge by the inquiries at
the bOX-Otiice during the week the advance
sale will exceed anything known IN Rich;
mond since the advent Of the National
Opera Company.
THE MOZART MUSICALE.
At the Mozart tomorrow evening the
following programme will be presented by
Miss Carrie Morse cOntraltO formerly with
the Milan Opera Company; Mr.. William
II. Lee baritone (formerly with the Ameri-
can Opera Company, and SlgnOr Eduardo
Mealiano, cornetist-all of New York:
Part I.-Ovrture, Dido, (Mercadante)
Amateur Orchestra. Aria, Glover song
from Faust,) Miss Morse. Duet on two
comets at same time, SiGnor Meallano.
Song, Our Good Ship Sails, (Massett,)
Mr.. Lee. Song, Florlan's Song. Goddard
Miss Morse. Cornet solo, selected, Slgnor
Part H.-Song, Evening Star, (Tann-
hauser,( Mr. Lee. Song, Iwickenham
Ferry, Marzals.) Miss Morse. Duet, from
Fayorita. Miss Morse and Mr.. Lee Song,
Faith and Hope, (Millard,) Mr.. Lee. Duet
on two comets, Minute Gun at Sea, Signor
Mealiano.
RICHMOND THEATRE.
Augustln Days superb New York COM
pany viii commence three-night engage
ment at the Theatre tomorrow night. The
company is strong, evenly balanced, and
includes several people Of great talent.
On Monday night the company will PLAY
"A Night on" which is said 70 be fine
comedy Of the modern school, highly dra-
matte in plot, smooth and well;rounded IN
action, and possessing all OF the elements
that insure fine ensemble.
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights - An
Arabian Night" will be put on the stage.
This a is four-act comedy taken from Won
Moser's celebrated romance. The costuming
is said to be rich, and special scenic effects
are promised. Ii has never been produced
here before. but met with great success IN
New York city, where it was produced du-
ring the past season by the same company.
Election Of Officcrs for Company ".