Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-19
THE ONLY LILLIAN
And the Musical and Beautiful La
Cigale at the Bijou Theater.
FARCE-MINsTRELSY AT THE ALVIN
Clever Comedy at the Grand and Great
Company Returns to the Duquesne.
WHAT ALL TIE SHOW HOUSES OFFER

At last Pittsburg has had an opportunity
of seeing Audran's great success, LA
Cigale," performed by the beautiful Lillian
Russell and her superb company. The
story of "La Cigale" is of course founded
on La Fontaine's fable. There is but little
of the original idea retained excepting the
alleged realization of it in 'Ia Cigale's"
vision in the last act The opera story goes
as follows: Marion (La Cigale) makes up
her mind to go on the operatic
stage. The Duke of Fsyensburg arrives
opportunely, and hearing of her intention
offers her the desired chance In his italian
Opera Company. The Duke is engaged In
a Irritation with the danseuse of his COM
pany. At the same time one of his suite is
making desperate love to the Duchess of
Fayensburg, who finding discovery imminent
orders her lover to 60 forth and make love to
the first person he meets. "La Cigale" is
that first person and the gay chevalier really
falls desperately in love with the beautiful
country girl.
The Plot Worked Out In q Vision.
"La Cigale" attains her ambition, and
within year becomes q famous operatic
star. Being told that her lover is false, she
reproaches him with his perfdy and de-
nounces the Duchess in the ballroom, and
then, overcome by the excitement, faints.
In dream she has vision of her old home.
When she revives the Duchess tells her
that her lover is really true to her, and the
Duke, who thinks it a capital piece of act
ing, applauds it all, and suspecting nothing,
the threatened snarl is unwound at last
smicably and very pleasantly for all.
OF course Lillian Russell played ''La
Cigale, and that chsrmingly. She acted
well and sung well. Miss Russell always
did act cleverly, but she rather surprised
her Pittsburg friends musically. There is
no doubt that she has improved wonder
fully since she last visited this city. She has
a sweet, powerful voice-a little uncertain
perhaps in the upper register-but she sang
with so much skill and effect last night that
this one very slight failing was hardly
noticeable. She has more work to do than
is usually allotted singers In comic opera,
but in every respect she acquitted herself
extremely we'll She has several numbers
that elected tumultuous applause and de-
mands for repetition.
1t is not often, if ever, that such singers
as Carl Streitman, who not long ago was the
leading tenor of the German Opera Com
pany that made so, much of sensation in
New York recently, and Signor Tagliapie-
tidS Whose uuc DarlUOue lS SO we'll KNOWN IN
this city, are to be found in comic opera
companies Of the latter it is unnecessary
to make any comment
The Tenor of All in the Country.
Of Streitman it may be said that it is a
long time since finer singer than he has
appeared in Pittsburg. He is at slight
disadvantage owing to his being compelled
to sing in English, a language with which
he Is but slightly acquainted. At times the
Of unfamiliar words seemed
to affect his tones, but, again, his
grand voice rose above all difficulties
The ever popular Louis Harrison is also in
this COMPANY. Harrison is as funny as ever
II not funnfer. The audience was In a con-
tinuous roar last night whenever Louis had
the stage. 1t might be as we'll, however, If
he left out some of the unnecessary gags"
They are ineffective and unnecessary. Grace
Golden, who was here but a short time ago
with the Casino company comes back
which she has q Setter opportunity.
has not much of a singing part, but looked
and acted very cleverfy. Probably the best
feature is the splendid chorus. without ex:
ceptfon this is about tho pest disciplined
chorus we have ever had in Pittsburg. 1t is
is very little II any "deadwood," and.
when the opportunity offers, does splen-
did work. The scenery is superb. The inte-
rtor Of the ducal palace, with its splendid
pillars Of pearl and gold and marble stair.
case running up to balcony is a revelation
of scenic art and construction. ia Cigalen
remains with US the balance of the week.