Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-04
MISS RUSSELL As GRAND DUCHESS.
She and Her Splendid Company Give
a Delightful Performance.

Lillian Russell. the queen Of the comic
opera stage. after an absence of eight
wears. bowed again before a Richmond
audience at the Academy of Music last
evening. in THE Grand Duchess"
Long before toe rise OF the curtain
upon the frst act the foyer OF the
Academy presented a scene that Is sell
dom Witnessed Notaries OF society, with
uueen.Iike features. and arrayed In
arrayed in gowns of rich designs, elbow
ed with the lower classes in their wild
rush to hear and see the idol OF comic
opera worshippers. Inside was assembling
the most brilliant audience mat has gath
cred in the playhouse for several sea-
sons. With few exceptions, both ladies'
and gentlemen were in evening dress,
which increased the beauty, and gave
the finish TO a brilliant picture.
''The Grand Duchess" is considered by
tfie r01fuwtrs OF 0Kenbscis 10 be hfs sp-
propriate crown 10 his many other
works. IL is a profusion of melody and
harmony. ingeniously combined win
skill that only Offcnpach offers. IL is an
opera-boufre. but not OF the order with
which the stage OF to-day is being deiug-
ed. No specialties pollute II 10 cover
the shortcomings Of All ignorant COM
poser or ibrettist.
The action OF the opera IL formed by
the love OF grand duchess Tor a private
i'm her court regiment. He loves a village
lass and fails To- acknowledge the at
tempts Of the Duchess TO disclose her love
for him She bestows titles, and honors
upon him. bUs he disdains them, and
marries the girl he loves.
PICTURE OF BEAUTY AND GRACE.
Miss Russell. as the Grand Duchess or
Gerolstein. was a faultless picture OF
beauty and grace. Charming In every al
titude and robed In gowns OF exquisite
design and material she was, indeed,
divine creation Her voice infatuates her
auditors by its warmth and wide range.
In The duet in the second act with Fritz,
the private, whom she loves, her voice
was heard TO greatest advantage. she
was forced to respond to an encore.
Miss Marie Celeste held second honors.
Her singing OF the role OF Wanda,
village maiden, was a dainty and finished
niece. of work Richie Ling does justice
to Fritz with his clear tenor voice. The
comedy portion of the opera received ade-
ouate attention from Joseph Herbert, and
Fred. Solomon. The chorus is large,
strong, and carefully organized. The
scenic effects and properties were gor-
geous. and In keeping with the handsome
ming will close Miss Russells engagement
The crush at the orchestra doors last
evening could have been allevlated by
placing a doorkeeper at the other en-
trance Both OF the outer doors might
also have been open for the admission OF
the immense crowd
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
The sale of seats for sir. Mansfield
has been very large. This VIII be the
last chance OF local thea;re-soeIs 70 see
this DISTINGUISHED actor tor several sea-
sons. 90 he retires 70 his New York thea
tre after hits season. Th- opening bill
will be the story OF Rodin the Stu
dent"
The sale or seats for Oliver Byroa's en-
gagement al the Richmond Theatre com
mencss this morning. "rhe Ups and
Downs Of Life Is the title OF the play.
which is described as legitimate farce
comedy.