New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-12
THE uOUNIEB.1AGS."

II would be- getting ont Of the LOOK the chess
PLAYERS term H. to make discussion Of The MOunte-
banks, which produce at the Garden Theatre last
evening. the consequences Of the disruption Of
relations between Me.srs. Gilbert and sullivan; and
vet nothing could make such discussion seem more
Apo lite than the production Of work IN which only
one Of those fortunately mated colloboraors had .
hand The Mountebanks." We believe is the only
opcret for which MIR. Gilbert has sup -ed the book
Of words since The partnership dissolved In aso
ciating himself with Mr.. Celr he undouotctly chose
The best colleague that England had 10 ofer.
,ir Arthur sullivan, olcying n natural. though .
mistaken, ambition abandoned the field OF operetH
for that Of opera. and also made Il most excelent
choice OF an associate. OF "Iyanhcc7 there Is no
occasion TO speak here, though lis career III ipnoh
might lie said 10 paint the same moral that We are
constrained TO SIC in The Mountebanks" Gilbert
and sullivan were made for each other. Without the
other each IS only half man compared with what
he was In the days Of his collaboration.
When 1t comes TO comparison win anything else
In his province, (Which Is the state OF affairs
that are invited TO contemplate by Tie Mouhte-
banks) Il be said frankly and as cmphaiicaly
the circumstances will permit tat no Single writer
Of musical comedy now active has II wilhm H'n 10
give half the pleasure that Mr.. Gilbert provides n
this new operc,ta. BOT that he distinguishes himself
in it by marked originality In idea
or method OF expression for, US las
long been the case, Se works over AGAIN
some OF his eieitous ideas that have done him service
ever sncc lie has been writer Of operet lore''os'
but simply because none OF his imititors ana "ouu
be rivals has yet held candle To him in the III
eeuuity Of his constructive scheme or the refinement
az his execution To listen To any one OF Mr.. GlDefts
comedies has always been al Intellectual reFeshleh"
one may laugh consumedy at his concerts WITHOUT ue
INK ashamed vi oncs sell. Tie Mouh1eOdiAs' III 10
fundamental idea. suggests The SoTcerer ana IN i.s
topsy furry logic reflects all Of that opefelas
I, q nnv he,
account. 1t will be enjoyed. Us "a comedy ior ue
same reason that all those SUCCESSORS were enloyeo'
and II IL should chance TO fail of popular suo'eS "
Princess Ida" fuiled IL will BE- again for the same
reason, and the failure Will evoke the sympathy OF
OF apology will be IN order Will have 10 lie ihaue no'
for ihe play but for the public III, . .o,,o ~
IIaply such "a consummatlOn Will not come ~
pass io, though Mr.. Ceier's music Is far from
being on the level of the booh 1t IS neither tedious
m pr ls,Cyla.e,i with Sir Arthur sullivan,
and studied his ms , music to S g19S pSS he i has
clothed Mr.. Gbcts text particularly IN The second
act. which completely revcNes the rule 50 ssner1 Genera
with operetta composers, by increasing In Deau,y
and interest the end approaches. In several .,s
The numbers. indeed. sir Arthur is pressed pretty
closely though he Is never reached even for moment:
IN respect OF the stage decorations, the SINGING
OF the chorus and the acting ana singing Of the
principals, the performance last night was Ligny '
creditable. 1t Is II feature Tor when not the PER,
formers Or manager. but Mr.: Gilbert Is Responsible
dians In the play. instead Of the singers There
is some dainty humor Enthusiastically Cilberaian
I'm il essence IN the part which is assumed By MISS
R,ssel but In dramatic interest her character Is
surpassed by that filed by Miss Clement. just as that
of Mr. l(ay,len Coffin Is by the clown npersy nateo
nv Mr.. Louis Harrison. But Miss Russell ana
Mr. coffin sing exceedingly well Though their III.
,nrnolations nrr scarcely To be- commendedl. IL may
he ihrt the circumstance mentioned only tends TOWARD
The establishment OF "A better balance OF parts t.an
is usuaI At any rate II Is 10 the credit OF inc
operetn that II enables Mr.. Harrison to play buhoon
MILO IS aSsy % cca ' os hs ons q he
NV p,a ai ~ what Gilbert wrote The audience
,hn, bsnri the vperetia Was numerous and enhust-
ustic.