THE OPERA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9009, 23 January 1895, Page 6

THE OPERA.

••PAUL JONES." To the dainty prettinesa and idyllic music of "Ma Mie Rosette " has succeeded the tuneful waltz melodies and uproarious fun of - Panl Jones." Taking aa a groundwork "the etory of the celebrated American the composer has wedded to the somewhat daring flights of fancy of the author more of that charming music which has made the reputation of "Les Cloches" and "Rip Tan Winkle." Planqnette ia exceedingly fond of waltz time in his operas, and some of the prettiest of the airs with which the opera is studded, are written in that tempo.. The music throughout is light and sparkling, though here and there, notably in that allotted to Mies Stewart as Yvonne and Mr Brownlowas Paul, the composer leaves the lighter vein, and has written aotne really high-class mnsio. When to this is added the fact that there is ample ecope—which is fully taken advantage of—for the display of beautiful and picturesque dresses, and that there are several ballets, it is not to be wondered at that " Ptul Jones" achieved such a success as tras the case last night. The house was emmmed ia every part, and " standing room only " waa the welcome legend—from a manager's point of view—displayed at an early hour. The part of Yvonne affords Mies Stewart a far greater opportunity to display her talents, both as au actress and a sioger, than Rosette, and she achieved a decided triumph. She was alike good in the love scenes with Paul, and the humorous passages with her uncle and Don Trocadero, whilst her singing of the music allotted to her was excellent. Her opening solo, •♦The Merman's Cave," with its dreamy waltz refrain, was sung with much - artiatio completeness and nni«h. So also tras the duet with Paul "A little bird on weary wing," one of the most charming numbers in the opera, and which deserved wanner recognition at the hands of the audience than it received. In the second . act Miss Stewart sang the romance "Before the altar" with great sweetness and exprestion, and to this the'cello oblig&to was well played. In the third act Mies Stewart showed that as well as actiug and singing she can dance very artistically, • giving a little Bpanish song and dance very well. She was also very (rood in the trio with Hisses Pollard and Nash. Throughout the part Miss Stewart infused into her pour* trayal of the character a life and go which ihade the'opera go with spirit and succeaa. Miss Marietta Nash, whose fun ia • ■pontaneona, made a most exaellent Chopinette, the virago, before whbm the redoubtable Bouillabaisse quails. . Bhe sang the opening couplets with great vivacity, and was also good in the concerted music. But it was in the lilt, "He looked at my sabots," that Miss Nash made a decided hit. The sly fan and humour of the song were most artiatically pour tray ed, and Miss Nash had to respond to an enthusiaatio encore. Miss May Pollard had not much to do as Malaguena, bnb she looked very pretty, and sang in the trio in tke third act very well indeed. Mr Brownlow seemed to be m6re a f < home .in the part of Paul than he was in that of the King in "Ma Mie Rosette." Being natural and not using the vibrato effect so pronouncedly, one heard more of the true quality of his voice, which is exceedingly sympathetic He was very- good in the . opening barcarole and . ■ the . following romance, "The .lee shore," which he ■ang with a good deal of effect. In the duet with Mies Stewart, "A little bird on weary wing," Mr Brownlow was heard to great advantage, and he was also good in the. scene at the end of the first ace One of bis best efforts in the opera was the romance " Ever and ever thine," which was sungwith much pathos. As has been said, Mr JBrownlow appears to considerable ad* ■ vantage in the part, as nos only does he sing the mnsio well, but he acts the character with considerable ability. Mr Tapley has not much mnsio as Rufino, but Aβ played the part well.' He was mostly heard In the concerted music, bat he sang the serenade "Lulled by waves," in the second act, very nioely. In the part of Don (Frocadero. though not coming on until the third, act, Mr Howard Vetnoo scored an undoubted success. Alike in make-up and acting be was exceedingly funny, and he sang the air "Open the Council now" excellently, having to respond to. an en* thnsiaatio redemand. Mr VernOn was quite in hit old form, and his Don Troca* - dsro is folly worthy to rank as a humorous conception with the best of his former efforts. I . Nothing ' funnier has been seen, on our ■tag* for many a long day thap Mr. Land's Bpcullabaiese. The sad sea dog was here in full force, and he kept the audience in roars of langhter all the time he was on the stage. * His opening duet with Pierre was well sung, and in the duet with Mr Roseve»r "Two Maripers Bold," a triple encore was Aooordfld. Mr Lauri's make op and singing as the Indian Song is funny to a*degree, and all through the third aothe keeps the fun of the piece folly up to conceit pitch. Mr . Roeeve*r, as the Inseot, is alao very funny, and ably aids Mr Lauri. Mr Deane made his first appearance this season as Kestrel. and was good in the refrain in the first act. She ohoruses were excellently sung, and the ballets, more especially the Eastern one in the third act, were most artistically danced. The composer baa given plenty of ; work to the orohestra, and this was admir- j ably done by the vory efficient band of iuitrttmenteiiflts under the batou of M. Caron. The .opera is beautifully dressed and monnted, the opening seb and that in Hi* third aob being specially worthy of commendation. "Paul Jones " will be repeated to-night, commencing at 7.45.