New-York tribune., 1906-02-20
NINE. GUILBERTs RECITAL.
LYceum Theatre.


1t Is not often. in this workaday world, especial
ly In that part OF 1t which is called Broadway
where the theatres are. that is privileged TO
meet perfection face to face. Yet sometimes that
meeting does come aboVt and it is a treasured oc-
casion First there is the delicious surprise Of rec
ognition, then the enjoyment OF intercourse then
the pleasures OF memory Such meeting was
brought about for those who attended Nine Yvette
Guilberts recital at the Lyceum Theatre yesterday
afternoon. and it's delights for them may be shared
by others this and subsequent afternoons The
theatre well filed yesterday. but 1t should be
packed 10 the doors hereafter or else we are open
TO the charge OF valuins but slightly the utmost
grace and polish Of humOr the perfection OF the
art OF delIneatfve song.
However. there is hardly danger of that. for Nine
Gubert's charm Is irresistible and two well
membered. though formerly here in far less
gracious surroundings. Yesterday she chose her
programme only from the chansons OF the seven
teenth and eighteenth centuries. ard from those
OF the "crinolins' period QssO. She sang first lie
Cure de Pomponne." lie Roi Fait Battre Tam
bour'' and Les Bellies Maneres,' in Du Barry
gown and powdered wig on a stage set with En-
pire tapestries and furniture At once the charm
was evident-the irresistible suggestions Of face
and gesture the skilful OF the voice. thin but
sweet Of not always true 70 the Pitch; the sound
musical feeling which preserved. through every
variety OF intonation and emotion. through pause
and stress. the design of the melody; the dramatic
Imagination which called into life. as surely as
Chevaler does it. with the aid Of special costumes
and makeup, the scene and character.
The second group OF songs was composed OF three
chansons of the time of Nine. Pompadour. Coli
nette' C'Y'a pas d'mal ca. ChnetteF), lie Re-
tour du Marin" and LIE Jaloux ct Ia Menteuse"
This last is variant Of an old ballad which
lists in almost every European language and Is,
IN extremely debassd form. familiar 10 American
boys who surreptttiously sing it 70 a adapted
to the words Nine GUilbert was forced to sing
something more after this. and she surprised and
delighted the house by singing in English the old
English song, The Keys OF Heaven and singing
it with irresistible humor and charm
Her third group consisted OF Les Housards de
la Garde,'' Les Souvenirs de Lsette" Ga sweet
and touching character song) and la File de
Parthenay." These songs OF 1880. she sang garbed
in a howered crinOline and again she added an
English song. caIIsd a Bargain" which took on
added charm from her quaint dialect. Her final
group numbered 'L'Auvergnat." with music taken
from German veIkslied Les Rues DAn1ou ct
de Poitou," in which the singers hands played
most amusing part depicting how the roads met
and Les Clcehes de Nantes" which was vocaly
her best performance. Again, because ths audi
ence would not go home. she added song IN Eng
ush-an old English song she called it, but that Is
open to question-about man who got the doctor
to cure his wife Of dumbness. and then wished
him to af1ict her again: but. alasl to stop
woman's tongue was more than any son Of earth
could do
INlciiSAU T1dSetlaH P4dSeU N---i9' Su4lO011 00~O4
paniEeRts. and played them with exquisite deli
cacy and tact. which slight achievement
A vioIinist. Armand Forest, brought with the
singer from France. played between her groups
of songs, and, though this might be deemed little
out of the general tone OF the entertainment. he
was 500 sound a musician 10 be Questionable. In
deed, he played Faure's charming Berceuse with
something more than soundness OF taste. The
second recital will be given this afternoon, with
different programme. but quite delightful
To miss it IS TO postpone afternoon Of rare and
perfect enjoyment.