New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-24
VI USIC.
1.-THE SEA KING' AT PALMER'S

"The sea King" which sung last evening in
Palmcr's Theatre by the William j. Gilmore opera
Company, composed by Richard stah, with no
small assistance from earlier masters, while the
nbrctto was written by Mr. Stahl and Webster e.
fulton. This latest romantic opera comique.' a>
the playbil hath 1t, procured some success
in Philadelphia. But The Little Tycoon
pleased Philadelphia for years. Not that The
sea King is another Little Tycoon" so far
a, the libretto goes, IL j. far moro fearmlly
and wonderfully made. II Is lamentable that
the ,oint constructors of the book did not ada 70
themselves third partner who had an mixing OF IN
vention. and could have put In some faint, nlmsy
sort Of plot, remote reflex OF conference anu
sentence in tine action, and some animation IN the
Incidents Nevertheless there occasional bright
shes of fun In the piece OF which Edward stevens
an ingenious and versatile comedian, who takes the
part Of Don Bamboula. Duke Of Valencia, makes the
most Indeed Mr. stevens was never dull never want
ing in vvacity and variety of entertainment Ills acting
IS finished and effective and his humor enforced The
sea King may divert many an idle evening, chiehy
through Mr. stevenss fund of iolIity and fresh ex-
pedents for compelling laughter HIS makeup Is
rntesque in the extreme. Cordial applause attended
him.
Miss Esther Pallser who has the chief singing part
that Of dolores possesses voice OF wide range,
but she has an uncomfortable habit Of bringing out
with excessive fervor the shrness that pervades IL
Ia di,tressi degree. she ought, first Oi an, 10
learn moderation and school herself 10 restraint
In time. when she controls her singing in some
reasonable cradation. and make, up her mind that
rotustions effort Is not tho chief charm Of vocal
ism she may not be altogether amiss in
such parts as Dolores" although she has
vet 10 acquire the rudments Of the act OF acting.
She was noisily applauded. Hubert Wilke was the
romantic hero Of this romantic affair. His singing
and acting have been too often commented upon IN
thee columns to require description now. As the
hanishod heir 10 the Dukedom of Valencia lie was
Hubert VIII stll. lie fails 20 inpcr>onalc lie acts
and sing, himself Mr.. Gilmore has selected a chorus
with pleasant faces and wholesome figures and the
figure, are PRETTY drapcd by co,tumcr with notions
81 color and texture. The scenery Of the first act was
Trustworthy that of the second only tolcrabc. that
OF the last cXccriblc. with Il, cla,hng hue and
Saying lines. Yet II received with strldent
approval by the house.
fhe music contain, not a few agreeable passages
chiefly I'm The frs, act. After the curtain goes up
musical actVencsS II also goes down IN general
interest with long sketches OF the baldc>t common
place. strcaAcd by welcome Oasis Oi >eVenNs huInor
now and then. Yet the piece has diversion enough
i'm II To- assemble summer evening audiences. IL Is
better than said Pasha.7 and much lyelier than a
number OF socallrd comic operas that nave draeied
their weary bulk along through week after
week Of July and August In TINS town. Iherc
diScOverable reason why II should not Keep
Palmer, Theatre open for profitable Yes there
1, one which ought Ia bc removed Immediately. such
mean chcag nasty little programme A. were supplied
the audience last evening were dScredit TO any
theatre of reputation. How could SO incNcuSable a
blunder ever have been committed at Palmer'sl