New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-24
CHEVALIER SINGS HIS SONGS.
ENTHUSIASTICALLY GREETED ON HIS FIRST AP-
PEARANCE IN AMERICA

ENTHUSIASTICALLY GREETED ON HIS FIRST APP
PEARANCE IN AMERICA
The torrents and whirwinds Of applause that
greeted Albert Chevalier at Roster Balls Music
Hall last night fairly surpassed any demonstra ton
before accorded foreign variety entertainer.
The coming of the London coster singer has been
long and eagerly looked forward to- but the interest
and curiosity in his proceedings that were mani
tested last night probably surprise to every
body, from the audience itself that manifested them
to Mr. Chevalier. If his career In NewYork is not
successful from point Of view 1t will be be-
cause what he does Is not understood. and conse
quenty not appreciated. The frlendliness Of the
audience of last night toward the singer and its de-
sire and determination to like him were no less than
overwhelming. II will probably prove that Mr..
Chevalier had something TO say in his songs which
will be heard and recognized by ALL In spite Of the
comparative unfami.iarity of the dresses and the
words which he uses. That he suffered little last
night from the nervous excitement OF hrst ap-
pearance was obvious even to those who mad never
heard him before. Indeed, the very welcome i'se!i
which he received was one not to be borne unmoVed
bv any one of an ordinary nervous constitution.
The first song which Mr. Chevalier Ventured 10
offer TO an American audience was The Future
Mrs 'Awkns." He appeared In the coster dress
which has been made familiar by many iiustra-
lions and stood against background OF red cur
tains which were trying TO the eyes and ought 10
be changed for some less violent color 1t Is no re-
proach TO Mr. Chevaler 10 say that the tuinu't
which followed this song rather tribute 10 MS
reputation than TO the song itsef lie had ap-
parently tried 10 adapt the action which accompa-
MED Il to the large hall which he found himself
and In doing so had overest!mated Its SIZE Tor inc
acting was at times so broad as TO appear forced
and artificial 10 the eye unaccustomed 10 the costef
and his ways.
This impression disappeared In the second song.
"Our Little Nipper." This. the costers account Oh
the precocty Of his child. PERFORMED with
the sort that becomes all but pathos The fatheriy
pride expressed In the closing line o, , chanse
was natural and exquisite. ni'er eysiiep sang NY
Ola Dutch" He looked wonderfully Ike Charles
W Cookbook and ne acted somewhat IKE MN 100
the reverse Of thai In "Our Little Nipper for here
It was the pathos that was all put come, Al Va
old seemed BIT overtear!uI aoout a.. ~,
OF whom he had thought that was not pIeasah'
n was 10 be remembered that the singer was not
on the stage Of theatre. where sino'ioh s, nG
and unmistakabe effect must be produced or an -
lost II was in adopting the emotion 10 ,ne 80, OK
Sencies Of the place that Mr.. chevaer was mos
fortunate. The song was most touch'hsV anu
The next EFFORT, "Our Court Ball. was purely
comic, and very comic TOO II w sas dsapponimenta
~ a coster with reference TO person named RIO,
who IL seemed a remarkable dancer ne MN
self was at all events most enter tanning ahhc'r.
nd r. ia not TO be supposed that Flo could expect
to find a better partner at any ball where she was
roncking 'Wot Cher or Knocked EN- In the 0d
Kent Road" After Mr. Chcval.er had sung this
there were loud demands for The Costsr SER SER
nrorInd that ne had not rehearsed II with me or
chestra He made compromise ~ repeatiin,,s d Z
stanza OF THE Old Kent ROAD, ne ne , Tan and
10 spehhn audience reluctantly consented 10 look at
the next performer on the programme