Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

The Lion Tanner, Francis Wilson's
new comic opera, which he intends to
go into London with for run, was
produced at the Grand Opera house
last night before large and enthusias-
tic audience.
AS. matter of fact The Lion Tanner is
a comic opera in every sense of the word.
Not only this but it will take rank
with Milloecker's Beggar Student
and the most sparkling works of Offen-
bach and Planquette. The charm about
the music, composed by Richard Stahl,
who wrote The Sea King, is that it is
strikingly original, and while the meth
DDS of Sir Arthur Sullivan, who took the
first step out of the beaten path in
introducing antic effects in his compost
ton, have had their force in giving char
acter to certain features of this new op-
era, yet any musician must admit that
Stahl has struck the rich mother vein of
music and added another standard work
to the musical world. Patte songs
wind in and out through the score which
has been superbly orchestrated by
Sousa, and fugue movements splendidly
rendered by the ensemble, duos, trios
and quartettes ringing with melody
make The Lion Tanner remarkable
and virile work. There is a most
ample prolusion of themes and
broad rhythmical progressions that are
handled with the genius Of master.
The choral movements are bright and
sparkling and full OF substance, and one
of the ensembles has all the fire and
melody of the celebrated chorus in
Strauss Queens Lace Handkerchief
and that is saying good deal. There
is dainty musical moroccan sung by
Laura Moore in the second act that is a
splendid enempli6cation of bravura
music, and it was, we might say en-
passsnt, superbly sung by the lady.
The libretto is decidedly quaint and
whimsical. Therein lies its charm.
You have never seen anything like it.
The story, brightly told, opens in the
dressing tent OF a circus, then shifts to
ruined chapel, and finds its de-
nouement in the public square OF Bas-
tia, Corsica. The scenery was on
a scale of magnifcence that was reve-
lation to Apgelefios. It equaled if it did
not transcend the spectacular produc.
tion of Cleopatra by Fanny Davenport.
Stage Manager Richard Barker. with
his London and New York Experiences
The Babes in the Wood and all the
rest deserves infinite praise for the
mssterly handling of the multiplicity
of gorgeous accessories which Mr. Will
son seems to have provided with a
lavish hand.
Speaking OF Barker, his work was
shown in the animation and life and the
constant shifting OF attitudes--the play
OF color and the poesy Of motion. Just
fancy splendid street pageant in the
shape Of circus parade reproduced on
the stage in all the detail, and you have
one OF the features of the second act.
After Francis Wilson has produced
this opera for one year on tour. he
will have Manhattan island for watch
charm.
AS Casimir, the Lion Tanner, Mr.
Wilson has added new character to his
brilliant repertoire, and from the pre-
factory indications the character will
overshadow The Oolah, and his other
notable successes. His humor finds
vent along lives OF refinement,
and it is as rare and ripe and
mirth exciting as vision of
the genius of comedy--a perfect
apotheoosis of fun making. Mr..
Plunkett was delightfully."- comic as the
grand duke, and Messrs,t Clayton and
~ j.. -. +.