New-York tribune., 1890-08-06
lIUSIC.
THE RED HUSSAR' AT PALMER'S.

A comic OPERA the last act Of which IS not begun
until after II O'Clock becomes WEAKNESS to the
flesh on a hot August night. But rs Messrs stephens
and solomon call The Red Iussar' comedy opera
PERHAPS they lay claim 10 prlvegeS that the wofS
OF Gilbert and sullivan never enjoyed. Nevertheless
II was certainly mistake TO allow the piece to drag
50 late last evening. The musical limits OF MT'
solomon are generally recognized. Although his coHl-
positions are not without numbers OF pleasant meloly'
although there are passages in them winch nave si
agreeable swing and dash and lnser IN lhe cars VI
people to whom proi0under harmones can h''ef
appeal although they are not devoid Oh ocI'
tain ravcty Of color and brightness OF movement
they are never startlingy original or ch'hiah.hs'
"reminiscences are frequent ana most OF the dcco' ao
Is trivial Mr. stephens's brettos never remain long
in memory The efforts at funmaking are 700 Oxen
heavy the plots not ineeniously suggestive az.
the incidents commonplace IN ING N'
ussars the oint authors have not reached the IeVe
of their Bi!lee Taylor" bnt they nave 'rpA'''"
the dreary waste OF duness in their Polly'
RE house was full, and it greeted Miss Mare
rarncs+ with n warmth that slightly suspicious,
FOR the rhythmic and regular applause had the Soua
Of careful distribution, and came III "e"-
graduated volume from carefully balanced Quar'
tcrs Of the theatre. Miss Tempest "ho'o
rar,s was in everybody's mouth in Londona
and in the courts, too-a few years ago Is 'nv
hc,pg slight slender and short, with Tennysonla1
untitled nose an ample but pretty mouth eyes winch
have great deal Of depth ana meaning IN them, out
AT the same time peculiarly marked oy an ooo,
Oriental obliquity. she has pure, clear voice on
agreeable Gavor, and OF a singular ana charming
sweetness II is fexibl~ not OF remarkable compass
but well managed within It's range. Few singers III
comic opera have had many columns OF the London
papers devoted 10 them. The question ha'uraiy
arises whyl Did not British jury put somewhat
exaggerated valuation upon this dainty 6t OF DRESDEN
china when by its verdict no less than S2ooVo was
transferred from the bank account OF Henry j. LesIs
70 that OF Miss Tempests injured husbandi But
British Jurors morbdly susceptible and perhaps
it was Miss Tempesvs voice tllat pnt the figures 50
high.
Miss Tempest pretty and becoming
costumes In the first her ranent was composed
OF the arsucally disposed and tasefnlly di'heveed
attire Of a poor ballad singer, whose looped al'i
Widowed ragsedrcss most picturesque ana pleas
lng In the second she garbed in the gorgeous
uniform Of red hussar, but it must be admitted with
regret that she does not possess figure o the soF'
that carries a uniform with launiy
travesty Of the true military air In tho
last act she exhibited the richness OK
robing and the glitter OF jewels suitable
to the state of great heiress. sho sang WIN 'a'o
and feeling. and acted with nice discretion s"o
WAS applauded to the echo, bat the doubt m'a
obtruds whether she is strong enough to carry this
niece alone Without her the cast is weak. and Wnen
She IS of the stage the interest flags. This graceful
figure OF fragile porcelain-wu that alone MAKE
cce,s OF The Red Hussar" IN America IL Is hoe
koy II there were more story in the piece. more OF
lyey incident In its progress more variety OF moveme
and Of melody, more fertility in constructing attract;
i've situations. and less limited scope oi mus!cai
composition the future Of tkls comedy opera on
Mi, side Of the Atlantic would look far roser.
Miss Tempest was not formally starred on tho
programme but this IS star piece beyond yues-
ton and hers Is "star' part one feature OF me
ur1duct0n deserves cordial and unqualified praise.
XII the scenery was admirable. That of the inst
act was painted by ". Perkins; that of me seeoha "a
Nv A. Caitott and thar OF the third and last by h j.
Banks The three painters won abundant i"sFes'
The staging and costumes were also soou