Year: 1879

GU opera, CaInc Ou last MOHudy dI Lc wins Hall as per announcement. We had been at 8 loss to account for the excessive popularity of thls musi- cal production, both in this country and in Europe. Its reputation has been almost co-eXtensive with civiliza- tion, and it has held the boards at the most celebrated places of public amuse- ment for more than year, to the ex- clusion of the more noted works of the Italian masters.

 We were exceedingly anxious there fore to ascertain by personal inspec- | tion the cause of this remarkable flu rore, which has been occasioned by a musical composition which at best be- longs to class that does not contend for the highest place in artistic appre- citation.

 The introduction of the Opera Bouffe is of late design. The production of Offenbach's gems some years since. and their subsequent popularity seems to have paved the way for a complete revolution in the musical taste of this country, and Pinafore has eclipsed all its predecessors in this particular line of representation.

 The cause of this somewhat remark able change in public sentiment may be found in the fact that the standard of music al excellence heretofore, and the cultivation of musical taste have been almost universally directed to ward the more exalted conceptions of Bellini, Rossini and Meyerbeer, and the public taste being satisfied with a plethora of lhe highest order of artis- tic excellence naturally turned (for the sake of variety) to something more volatile in its character and which while possessing the charms of musi- cal and dramatic effect, required no great mental effort to awaken live ly appreciation.

 Pinafore is par-excellence most ap- propriate type of the result of this transition of taste. The dramatic plan is somewhat commonplace, but presents a phrase of life interesting and full of natural situations. There is abundant opportunity for the dis play of comical episodes, which are always attractive to those who possess a keen sense of the ludicrous.

 The music is sprightly and viva cious, always apt in expression and peculiarly appropriate for the portray al of each specific illustration.

 Miss Markham sustained the char acter of Josephine in a manner per fectly in accord with her exalted rep utation. Her voice has lost none of its freshness, but has rather improved in register and execution. Her notes are always sweet from the highest to the lowest, and she passes from strain to strain with an exquisite modulation of tone, and without discordant echo to mar the general harmony. This is one of the surest indications of true artis- tic merit.

 MT Dauphin represented the fussy old Admiral with d perfect conception of the character.

 MT. Casselli's Dick Dead Eye was an excellent production and would be con- sidered a fine performance on any stage.

 MT. Roraback as Rackstraw sang with fine effect although little hoarse. He is graceful and careful actor, and throws himself Into his part with warmth and fidelity.

 MT. Carpenter makes a fine looking Captain and performed his part with credit, particularly in the scene with Buttercup.

 Miss Howell lacks power but sings with expression. She improved her first appearance, and in the last scene she did some fine acting.

 Miss May Bell sustained the charac- ter of Hebe very modestly, but with good effect.

 We must not forget our local talent. MT. Nichols surprised even his most friends in the character of Boatswain.

 The chorus was excellent and added greatly to the success of the entertain ment.

 Our friend MT. Springer presided at the piano with ability and displayed talent Of no mean order.

 In fact all did we'll. The house was crowded to. its utmost capacity, and the audience exhibited It's appreciation by several encOres, and constant ap plause. The elite of Tucson was out iu full force "with it's nephews, and its cousins and its aunts" We pro- nOunce Pinalore here as elsewhere, a grand success. If we should be ask ed if we had ever seen a better per fOrmance, under the circumstances, we would be compelled to respond in the language of the text,

 HARDLY EVER"

 Shakespeare.