New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-27
GILBERT AND SULLIVAN AGAIN.

There was an air OF pleasurab.e anticipation in
the Broadway Theatre last night more than twenty
minutes before the performance began, and II
augured well for the reception OF the operettl
OF those happy coaborators. Gilbert and Sullivan.
1t IS possible this morning only TO make a record
of a few broad Impressions: there is a want Of
time to do anything like justice TO Mr.. Gilbert :
work (Sr Arthur Su.,ivan's might easily be dis
possl OF the sumptuous manner in which
Utopia, Limited has been put upon the stage.
The operetta Is unlike most OF Mr.. Gilbert's other
musical pays in that II sounds better than IL reads
or at least It Is more effective acted than one could
think from 4 pcrusal OF the libretto. This is no
doubt largely due TO the delightful effect upon the
eye produced by his characters and their environ
mcnt. which in the first have all the picturesque
ness that fecund fancy dealing with tropical
and their denzcns can give. and In the
second present n compound at beautiful and
amusing by mixing up nature and in that de-
hghtfuly paradoXical topsy -turyy which IS pc
culiar,y the habitat Of Glbcrts conceit trained
all the devices OF the theatre None of Gilbert and
Sulllvans works. not even at the time when their
imaginarons were freshest and most prolific, was
presented with the gorgcousness OF stage attire
that has been bestowed this. and the work OF
the librettist shows the degree OF mastery Of
technical detail, though 1t may be said TO have
fallen short OF the Old masterpieces like 'Pnafore,"
Patience and The Mlkado' in brightness OF
original conception. We are called on in Utopia"
81
capacity for satire, inclsve 1t is delicious ap-
piled single ideas rather than the fundamcnt tai
thought. but there is still enough that is general
In its application 10 hold the interest throughout
That Mr.. Gilbert himself appreciated this fact is
shown by the unreserved way in which he intro
duced some OF his Old types and that the introduce
tlon OF them gratifying TO the public was
evidenced by the spontaneous and hearty APP
plause which greeted the familiar excerpt from
'Pnofare" which has been written about ever since
the operetta first produced in London last
October.
Utopia appeals to the refined taste for humor in
musical comedy which Is the creation Of Gilbert and
Sullivan. 1t Is an intellectual refreshment and
agreeable mental tonic. Unlike the ordinary oper-
ettas Of to-day. it does not tend to degrade the
aesthetic faculty in any way or The appreciation OF
what Is wholesome and sweet in any department
Some Of It's satire is exceedingly daring. 1t Is
skit at some features OF so-caled modern cvlliza-
tion. which sacrifices none OF its charm to the fact
mat It's author has been bold enough up some
OF his winged shafts. The whole burden OF the
refrain WHICH M HH% he ne ns VI %r ter
@ i died few months ago introduced Ia his song,
scarcely have been more refreshingy daring than
a as f emo as he has done queens drawing
shs real means 1t is pleasure to note that
every respect worthy of Il ana thai ns nas vas
IL the most emphatic signature OF its approval
associated with the works which It's authors pr re
uuced In their prime and for this the public more
graduated Concerning the English company that that
~ come to perform the opereta there viii not be
%hss Killed %u?a It M
American azsp Production though II contains half
scos sd ans sv Sem mention Si them even are
ne and Kate e snf A y, Burke
DA"'s' that few shortcomings will be pardoned.