The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-12

STORY OF "oENIsErrE."

A Comic Opera In Three Acts by CASTOR
Serpette, as Produced by the Greenwood
Opera Company.
AT the village of Noisy, in Burgundy,
the worthy Mayor Bardoulet is in great
trouble. 1t 10 the annual custom to
crown as May Queen, young girl who
has resisted the darts of Cupid and re-
manned unmarried until her nineteenth
birthday-her reputation must be spot
less and her pane unceupled with that
OF sweetheart, for, the first lovers
kiss or the first embrace from a young
man, to which she consents, and she is
no longer eligible as May Queen. For
the past four years the troubled mayor
has been unable to find candidate for
this honor who possesses all these
requisites, and he has been warned by
the Sub-Perfect that his district has
fallen into such evil repute in this re-
speot, that IL q coronation does not take
place at the approaching annual fete,
he will be asked for his resignation and
his Deputy, Bolivot, appointed in his
place.
At last the mayor finds in Denisette,
the charming young pastry cook of
1.-THE Enamored Pie," oil the require
ments he has sought 80 long-and he
announce to the counoilmen with be-
coming pride that the long-delayed
coronation will take place on the NOR
row. Bolivot, the deputy, seeing that
the chance OF his becoming mayor is
slipping away from him, invites his
handsome nephew, the barber Narcisse,
to come to his assistance, urging him to
make love to Denisette, and IL possible
com promise her in some way so that
the mayor will be disappointed after
all and forced to resign in his favor.
Narcisse, confident in his own powers
of attraction, consents and sends Deni-
settle decoy letter, calling her to the
supposed sickbed Of her grandmother.
He then throws himself in her way,
and tries every means in his power to
gain an avowal of love from her, first
upon his knees, then by Indifference,
and finally with handsome presents, but
Denisette, true to herself, finding that
Narcisse says not word OF marriage,
resists all his wiles, and after harm
less frolic singing and dancing with the
boys and girls of the village, she pro-
ceeds toward her grandma ther 's--Nar
cisse, speeding ahead to try the effect of
final Interview, finds that tho grand
mothers cottage is empty, the worthy
dame being detained in the city He
dons one of her dresses, and, assuming
the decrepit air OF the old lady sits
| down to await the coming OF Denisette
| la "The WOLF in 'Red Riding Hood. :"
In the meantime Bolivot, the deputy,
discovers that handsome legacy will
become Denisette's provided she has
once been crowned Queen of the May,
and to secure this money for his own
family through Narcisse, his nephew,
he hastily changes his mind about be-
coming mayor through the injury tC
Denisette and his search for Narcisse
and Denisette, accompanied by the
mayor brings out many ludicrous COM
pilcations and amusing situations.
Denisette finds no difficulty in discover
ing and outwitting Narcisse, who seeing
at last her true worth ceases his persecu
ton, and upon her being crowned MAY
Queen with great pomp and ceremony
he humbly sues for her hand in honora
BILE marriage, whereupon Denisette-
being really fond of the handsom,
scamp-readlly consents land they be
come man and wife,"
Much Amusement Is caused in bring
ing out a counter plot in which Macassar
a mountebank hypnotist, lays siege to tn,
affections of Byzantine. the mayor
"Old Maid" type, who is certainly ole
enough to know better.
The opera is interspersed with beau
tiful gems and grand ensembles, while
the comedians have their share of comic
song and humorous dialogue. Ths
chorus pretty girls and handsome
young men-in bright, attractive cos
TUNES, sing with fresh, clear voices, ant
charm the eye with intricate marche.
and graceful DANCES. The stately
gavotte, the enhancing waltz, tn,
rollicking gallop, the Macy may pol,
dance, ETC., etc.
The scenery-the mayors residence
the market square, the funny barbe
shop, the grandmother's hut-are al
that can be desired. and attention i
given to every detail in order. to max,
the performance most complete sue
| caqs