THE GRAND DUCHESS.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2719, 27 April 1874, Page 2

THE GRAND DUCHESS.

! YTo-night< Mr Allen's; company will produce Offenbach's most popular comic opera i "The'_rand Duchess of Gerblltein." The ' plot, briefly told, is as follows :«w_fete Grand i Duchess of a petty German State is, at the - opening of the opera, holding a review. 61 Her army, which in point of numbers strongly ; resembles that of the well-known Bom bastes ; Furioso. In the ranks is a young reoruit ' named Fritz, whose handsome figure attracts : the notice of the youthful Graud Duchess. ; Fritz is in love with Wanda, another of the | characters, but this is unknown at the time ! to the Grand Duchess, who successively promotes him from a private to a lieutenant, in ; order that he may be near her. Baron Pack and General Boom, the Grand Chamberlain and: Commander-in-Chief of the Duchy} As e detailing to Her Highness the p\aq ot .battle they purpose adopting in an 'impending campaign against the enemy. Fritz expresses his opinion that the plan proposed ia sheer •nonsense, but is told that not being a commanding officer nor a noble he cannot speak. The Grand Duchess thereupon ceatea hinj a General and a Baron,; and *>$« first act closes with hiß investiture by thai Grand Buc__a with the sabre'of her-father, to chastise her enemies. In the celebrated songs, "Oh, what a gallant "Oh, I dote oh the inilitaiy," and " the "V." .' . X The second act opeps 'with the triumphal return of Fitz, having conquered the enemy. The Grand Dutchess, under pretence of . asking Fritz to marry one of the ladies of .her Court, declares her love for him s "in* the well-known declaration duett "Bay ttf'-I-K" but true to Wanda, he will not accept 'the honor preferred to him,. General. Boom, Baron Puck, and Prince a. suitor Of the Grand Jpuchesß,/,m6ftifled ,>t the suddengood fortune of Frite/iwncocta plot for his assassinatiob,' in which the slighted Duchess agrees'to join, and the act terminates with '~ah'~'e<^9lric' i d-nco~expreßi!ve' ot the cordiality of the conspiratore. In the second ,act.a Baron Grog, putr iu.au appearance to 'ontreit- the &rand DuaheaaJ io many r Priuco .Paul;''■; After*some time sue consents, and ivithdr_wirig _rom v tbo ebnsptraoy against Fritz n be is allowed to marry Wanda, the <• other Conspirators however/ - summoning h_n on hie wedding night by falre messages to the battle field. $attefs, how begin to fframe a settled aapecVj Grand, Duchess is betrothed to Prince 'Pad! and deprives Fritz of all hishonors, the opera concluding with her marriage. .Unfike "Barbe Bldey' there are numerous songs, arias, duetts, &c., in t>e " Grand Duchess," the music throughout being of the liveliest description, aud the .situations most comical. .Miss May fills the part of the Graud - Duchess, and clsewbereshe'has won golden'"opinions for hpr rendering'of it.