New-York tribune., 1901-03-10

II is hardly necessary to say that this twen-
tieth century opera bouTe is by no means
school in which young ladies should be recofh-
mended 10 take their lessons in mythology. Ihe
third act is especially good. and makes the
whole piece ar undoubted success. which, how
ever. would have been more lasting had NM
De Caillavet and Flers intrusted their book to
more experienced musician. not necessarily OF
the calbre of Offenbach or Herve. but 10 a man
like Varney or Roger. The young composer,
who has won considerable popularity at Mont
martre and at the Theatre des Mathurins, has
cultivated his memory rather than his magma
ton, but the ingenious repetition OF bygone re-
Trains always evokes pleasant recolections
The orchestration strikes particularly thin
and floating; there are several catching airs in
the music, or, rather. in this musiquette, or
Claude Terrasse. and one Partisan critic goes so
far as TO say that since the days of La Belle
Helene" and "Orphee" Offenbach has not had so
serious a rival the composer of Les TraVaux
d'Hercules" This three act musical farce is ad-
mrably mounted, and Mile. Dieterle. pleasing
actress made her debut in it as a singer OF
opera bouffe. She is an exquisite Omphale,
adrot in comedy and clever in song. Taken al
together, this is perhaps the broadest parody or
mythology that has yet appeared. and promises
to have long run.
Another opera Charlotte Corday." "musi-
cal drama" in three acts and prologue, by the
late Armand Silvestre, with music by Alexandre
Georges was produced on Wednesday at the
Opera Popuaire The scene of the prologue is
laid in the Taverne du Paon where a Jacobite
meeting is being held. Marat delivers violent
speech denouncing the Girondists. and there is
grand chorus where all drink and VOW the de-
struction of the opposing faction. The first act is
N her
house reading Corneille and where her lover
prescribed by the populace, seeks refuge. The
second act comprises the assassination or Mardt
in his bath and the final act is that or the
prison and the execution. There is little room
for true musical sentiment in these situations
which are more suited to lay oratorio than l!rlc
drama There is something urcanny about a
singing Marat melodous Sansculottes ana
chanting Girondists. The music is somewhat
heavy and fatiguing; the book is more efrectlVe
than the score.
Social activity during the week has been sadly
handicapped by the prevalence of influenza, ana
has been limited to 4 few dinners, half-dozen
musical receptions and numerous cosey httie
theatre parties on Thursday the Duchess de
Dino gave a dinner. among those present being
Mrs. Charles Morgan, Miss King. Nine iaoui
Duval nee Urquardt: Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Gay,
Mr. Thomas Thorn and Arstarchi Bey. Mrs
Spreckels also gave a dinner the same evening
for Miss Lawler who is her guest in Paris. Mr.
and Mrs Frederick Sharon have been entertain
ing intimate friends at series of small dinners
at their apartment in the Champs Elysees Mr.
and Mrs Henry Cabot Lodge jr., are living in
the Latin Quarter. devoting themselves TO intel
Hgent sight seeing, art and Partisan archaeology.
Mr.. and Mrs Bigelow Lawrence have left the
city for Rome NJ. and Nine. Achille Foud gave
a dinner in honor Of Colonel Monteil, the French
explorer. The table was covered with pro
fusion of great branches Of cherry blossoms,
which have become a pleasing innovation in the
way Of table decorations. Among those pres mt
were Mr.. and Mrs George Monroe and NJ. and
Mime Edmond Beer Lady Sarah Wilson, after
brief stay in Paris has left town for Monte
Carlo Mrs Robert Goelet arrived at Cann -
yesterday on her yacht. the Nahma. Mr. James
Gordon Bennett is in Scotland for trial trip
Of his new yacht. the Lysistrata. Among those
who are suffering from influenza Mrs.
Gowdy, the wife Of the Onsu-General. who
has been seriously Ill. and is now out Of danger.
but has not entirely regained her strength. Miss
Pauline Forbes is also suffering from a slight
attack OF grip.
The little tempest in teapot caused by the
escapade Of Mr.. John MacWisol Durant is now
subsiding. Notwithstanding the bitter indigna-
tion OF Consul-General Gowdy at being hoaxed
into the belief that the alleged duel really took
place In fact considering the ordinarily harm
less results Of Partisan duels, the bare assertion
that the combat i fatal in itself
prima facie evidence that the affair a fraud
1t turns out that Durant. who for some time
past had earned the reputation here of being a
ne'er- -do-well bohemian. Notwithstanding his re-
spectabIe family connections. is subject epi-
leptic fits and this account his mother. who
has entire control of the lads property. does not
wish him TO marry Mile Laure, Magin, the
graceful little couturiere. with her sylphlike
figure, sparkling violet eyes, black eyebrows
and rich. wavy chestnut hair. has entirely re-
covered from her infatuation. She has been Sc
lected by ROdin the sculptor, for one Of his
models. and she has also posed for Mr. Left
witch Dodge, the American painter. and fer
Miss McKaye. an American sculptor. She has
the letter addressed by Durant to her mother
dated January 9. making formal demand for
her daughters hand in marriage. The betrorhaI
announced in the list published by the
Mayor Of the ArrOndissement Owing to ,he
publicity secured by the phantom duel the
young woman is already in demand as A model
at studios Of rising artists. and her features may
become familiar at coming picture and sculpture
shows. c. l. b.
CAR KNOCKS ARTIST INTO DITCH.