New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-19
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
FRANCIS WILSON AT THE BROADWAY.


The curtain did not fall upon "THe Merry Mon
ARCH at the broadway Theatre until nearly monishV
and the ateness OF the hour forbds at this time the
thorough consideration which the production deserves
Put it may be said without danger OF CONTRADICTION
that comic opera produced in New-lor io' 'n'''S
years has achieved so striking popular success Oh
its first night and Mr.. Wilson'S personal triumph was
by far the most conspicuous OF his career
II is long step in advance from Inc ooiah III
every way Its music is delicate. fascinating ana
varied. Astounding in lively lyrics and In charming
melodies The dialogue glances with VIII ana ripples
with humor so copously 10 make every comic opera
rbre,to heard in this metropolis for many season
seem fat and dreary. J. Chcever GOODWIN inc auoior
NJ the lbretto has much surpassed his previous nc
omnrshment in providing entertaining material and
Mr. Wilson and his smart company make the "os'
agile and most mirthful use of It,
The story OF The Merry Monarch" was printed In
The Tribune and other papers on sunday no hoeu
N rehearse 1t here and now. The original frohe.
rhretto Of Chabrier's "L'Etole," and the music OF
that composer are not familiar in TINS country o'
the nublic will not inquire too curously how extensive
NAV be the Indebtedness of Mr. GOODWIN anu 'ii.
Woolson Morse to the original book ana muSic' AL
lovers of comic opera Of the brightest gaSeSV must
irrasstiby catching sort, will rejoice in the results III
any case Mr. woolson Morse appears to have done
his work extremely well The orchesuation Is sl0ihi'
and the whole effect unsteady is pleasing AS 10
Mr.. Goodwin he has not left a dull moment IN 'he
dialogue and that is great deal 10 say IN theSe oaSs
when the books of most comic operas are Saiaran
stretches Of dulness and dryness with here and there
the faint but welcome CLEAN of little spring Oh ir'h
that makes pale green oasis in the desert
pr+ how fortunate Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Morse
ara ~ have such true monarch Of merriment as Is
Francis Wilson for the chief part In ." Erhihie'
Mr. Wilson was comparatively bare ana u"auorhou
on his first night Ravvy. AfterwaN, bit by o''
he covered the part with delicious foliage OF fuh anu
froc and made it masterpiece of the art OF te 10"
comedian "The Ooahs" success was somewhat DOUBT
full on its first night year ago, because MI wilson
seemed i'll at ease and his fun seemed
a little forced and mechanical But night after nlght.
week after week, month after month, he made prog
ress he improved his part, decorated 1t Wlth EN-
broidery of laughter, and "The Oolah" became
favorite with the public. But for "The Merry
Monarch, there will be doubts, no delays. Inc
niece has been thoroughly rehearsed, so much care
and Thought and pains have been devoted 10
H. that the first performance was "onue'iuiiS
smooth and effective, while In concepu"i'
expression and execution Mr.. Wilson'S part
came ont full fedged vital and mature like Minerva
from Joves neuralgia forehead, but Infinitely more
Amusing and gratifying than austere and formidable
Athene King Anso Fourth" needs no building up
no additions, changes, no foreign aio oi ornaments
II is already rounded, symmetrical and complete.
An excellent company aided Mr.. Wilson. Marie
Jansen daintiest, loveliest and most exquisite OF
stare wore n number Of costumes so artistic and
admirable that framed in them, she was picture
that might we'll have made her madly In love win
her own image and she might have cast herself INTO
n brook Narcissusl like to join the rejection OF heE
,u,o radiant beauty She acted with grace and spirit,
and sang deliciousy. Miss Laura Moore did fuA
Justice TO the music Of her part and her songs We're
opplauded repeatedly, and most heartily. Charles
plunkett's "SrOco7 genuine piece OF
really GOOD comic acting The other parts also were
wei taken signor De Novellis directed the music with
unfaling skill and correctness, and 10 him most cor
dial praise is due for the smoohness and spirit OF
The performance. The principals, the chorus ana me
orchestra were all well drilled. The costumes OF
"The OOlah" last year were somewhat demurc, SAD
sombre and Ouakerish: those Of THE Merry Mon
archs are glowing with the richest Of tropical hues:
Int are ALWAYS in good TASTE artsticay designed ana
made up. The scenery singularly rich ana elaD-
crate. -. .,..-
Both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Goodwin made WHY
speeches after the second Their remarks were IN
geniousy conceived and well expressed; bSs MI ai
GOODWIN, in giving credit TO every one ese' dlo not
even mention Chabrier.