The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-04
THE GRAND DUCHESS.
a BRILLTANT Audience GREETED
MISS RUSSELL LAST ETENING.
She Sang Offenbsch's Opera in Grand
style" The Little Dnkc" viii be sung
Tonight Mrs. Herbert was Present.

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offcnbach's merry opera-bouffe, THE
Grand DDchcss os Gero'stcin." as sung
by Miss Illnan Russell aud her company
at the Academy last evening. was q
distinct success. The audience was the
iarees, and most brilliant that has ever
assembled in this city, with t!rc cxcep-
ton OF the one that greeted Madame
Patu upon nor last appearance here.
The weather WAS extremely cold, but
IL was nothing as compared with the
reception that the audience extended MISS
Russell From the rise OF the curtain
untl its nn8l drop. there was an Icy
coldncss IA ths very air know not
to What cause TO attribute tnis, unless
ii be to want OF ability to appreciate.
In tho first act, when Miss Russell
sang, "Noc la sabre dc mon pere," and
u Is the most brilliant gem In the opera.
hardly a ripple Of applause was heard.
At the end OF the second act. however,
the audience tried to apologize and were
enthusiastic enough 90 have the curtain
raised once.
A CHARMING ACTRESS.
Wei. for Miss Russell. she is to-day
what she has been for some ,imc-the
most charming personality that mas ever
interpreted light opcra on the American
stage. Her great beauty and lovely
figure are sim hers. and 10 nay MIND
they are enhanced by the touch Of ma
turity As for Miss Eussclls voice II
IS delightful. and the manner IN which
she handles 81 hroathcs Of the perfect
artist I'm every note she ut,ers.
That wonderful range, purity Of tone
md softncss OF expression have mol
been impaired: in fact, Miss Russell has
chained youth 10 her side. and IL re-
mains a willing captive.
In the Grand Duchess" Miss Russell
IS comparatively the whole show. The
opera. 1 think. is unsatisfactory. and lis
success Is due &c The charming prima
donna who carries IFS leading role.
THE SYNOPSIS.
The main points OF the story are
Tho young Grand Duchess of Gerol-
stein. early orphaned. had been brought
UP by her tutor ana prime minister,
Baron Puck. always 10 have her own
way. trusting 10 his Skill in humoring nor
capriccs. 10 retain his power IN court.
lie has selected q husband for her. she
nnds her afHanced. the Prince Paul,
such nobody. that she cannot make
up her mind 70 bc married. and Baron
Puck fearing tine result Of her inq iie-
tude gets up % war 10 amuse ner She
comes ont to the camp 10 address htf
soldiers on the eve OF their departure,
and Immediately rails hcadlong IN love
with the handsome soldier. fiilH. VINO
his pare mas Only Two tlihi-titHf 'ii'
TO love the pretty Wanda, and the other
TO spite the General Boum with whom
ne Is continually quarrehnc. The impui-
siVe Duchess makes Fritz corporal.
then sergeant. lieutenant and captain.
And. finally on seeing the jealousy OF
Boum and the others. she makes him
gencrai-in-chief. takes for MIN Boum
lofty plume. which that General almost
worships. and sends Fritz TO conquer the
81. Ia. d
by the very original device of making the
whole army of the enemy drunk. ana
then chareing upon them.
When the army returns the Grand
Duchess Is still more I'm love. and, In
most charming song. intimates her par
TALLY Tor Fritz, and her readiness 10 give
him all the honors of state. But Fritz
is incurably duh in tho matter and
doesn't take. and finally horritcs the
lady by asking permission 10 marry
WarGa Immediately
This changes love 10 hate. and the
wilful girl joins in conspiracy, alree ny
arranged by Paul, Puck, and Boum. to
assassinate the victorious general on ms
return fiom the wedding ceremony. But
when. all ~ ready for tho tragedy she
changes her mind ard by sudden tran
slfion falls half IN love with Baron Grog
envoy from the father of Prince Paul
This passion comes TO a speedy END, on
learning that Grog Is already married
and has fdur children. she concludes to
marry Prince Paul forthwith, and IN
place OF assassinatng Fritz. lac Is an
noyed 10y two noisy serenades. ana then
hurried of, ON false alarm TO hght
the enemy.
Instead of the enemy. however. IT
IS so contrvcd that Doe falls into the
hands of the jealous husband OF the
Dame Of Roc-a-pic. who. nisiaking him
for another, administers thorough can
ing.
Fritz returns. In a sad plight 10 the
camp. where the Duchess awaits him
only 10 strip him of all bis honor The
plume is returned To BOum. the power
10 Puck. and her hand IS bestowed on
Paul. while Grog is sent homo 10 his
children Fritz asks and receives the
post OF schoolmasier In his native VII
lage: and with this conclusion. "uneN-
pected. but highly moral The opera
ends
The Grand Duchess was magniiconuy
staged As far AS Miss Russcn's COM
pany Is concerned it is thoroughly capa-
lie. The chorus is well trained and eN-
ceedinely strong.
MISS RUSSELL TALKS.
After the performance Miss Russell
received me iu her dressing-room. she
smoke pleasantly OF her southern tour
and the warm reception that has uceh
given her.
'Do You know" she said. ~ love the
southern people. they are so hos liable
and warm hearted
How did YOU like your audience to-
night I asked
II am very much pleased" she replied,
hut they are a tribe cold. DO you knoTS
what was the natter
answered her that | was at loss 20
explain IL. and after some further re-
marks retired.
''The Little DIXIE" viii be presented to-
night
Prominent In thc audience last evening
was Mrs. JOSEPH Herbert. who was for
merry Miss Adele Rtchie. and who was
here two years ago.
MISS HTLLiRD COMING.