"OLIVETTE."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3956, 25 March 1884, Page 3

"OLIVETTE."

To-night " Olivetto " will bo presented at the Thoutro Royal from the pen of the same composer as "La Mascotto, " the music boing of a lively character and gredt sweetness throughout, and though the sparkling music id not joined in wedlock to ridiculous words as is the case with "Maseotte," still there will be plenty of opportunity for the display of the eccentricities of Mr "Wallace and Mr Kelly. Olivette (Miss Liddiard), just arrived from a convent to marry an old sea captain Do Merimac (Mr Kelly), has a prior weakness for a young officer Valontin (Mr Woodfield), nophew of Do ]V]feriinac. The young Countess of Rousillon (Miss Nellie Stewart), also in love with Valentin, is at Perpignan to sec him. At night, in the hou*o of the Senenchal, the Countess is disturbed by Valentin climbing the balcony, aa he believes to Olivette. Detected by Due dcs Ifs (Mr Vernon) lie is sont to prison, as the latter wishes to secure tho Gountcss. Old Merimac, whose wooing pf Olivette makes but little progress, Avrites £(i the Countess to aid him. Tho nephew ptjcapes i'rQin prison, personates his Uncle, aud weds Olivette at the request of the Countess. In tho second act a midnight fcto is given by the Countess, and Valentin, who has got her forgiveness, by constant change of dress (something like Girofle Girofin.) has to personate not only himself but his Tincle also. In the midst of tho fun Do Merimac arrives, and is greeted us tho bridegroom. Ultimately Do Merimac resolves to take the bride that Valentin has married in his name. To avert this catastrophe Olivette turns to account a conspiracy of the Due de Ifs, which aho has overheard. The Duke is anxious to got the co-operation of Do Merimac, whoso ship would be useful in a caso of imp (Vetid, and Olivette supplies this ostensibly by introducing Valentin disguised as his uncle. Tho conspiracy beingthus established, Olivette's next step is to donounce the Duke and the real Do Merimac, who are arrested by order of the Countess. By this stoke, Olivatte gets rid for tho moment of her elderly bridgegroora, who is completely mystified by the charge of treason brought against him. The lovo of the Countess for Valentin, however, upsets the calculations of Olivette ; for the Sovereign Lady of Rousillon announces her intention of marrying tho loyal soldier who has quelled tho conspiracy. As a last reBfMireo Valentin, at the instigation of Olivette, joins the plot himself, nets tho Duke, frco, and • tho Countess, now a prisoner, is to bo sent out of tho kingdom. In tho third act, in pursuanco of the plot, tho Duko brings his cousin, the Countess, closely vailed, down to tho Cormorant, tho ship commanded by Do Morimac, now also f rob, but ac* puzzled as ever as to what is going"oil round about him. However, on learning tho real stato of matters, he consent* k> deport tho .Countess, and returns to hoolc .Olivette. That young kdy, however, lias takon -flight, and with Veloutine and her husband, disguised as sailors, comes to seek'a vessel to take them off. Vrtlcntin, is unfortunately, however, detected by the Duko, who distrusts him, and causes him to bo Hoizfcd. The vnliuje Due dos Ifs then pays his court to Olivette, who manages, however, to Hot the Countess free, and assume her dress; her own place being taken by her maid, Veloutine, to Avhom tho near-sighted Duke continues assiduous court. De Merimac by and by returns,; and is horrified to hear the Duke tell Valontin j> Is siiceosa with Qlivottp. J?Qth nephew jihd-uhclb'iiGW. disown tho bride trjey so pagorly' claiViicd'iil'-tho 'Palace, and the Gordian kndfris splved by tho returji-of tho Countess and hor Guards, and tho uiiveiling of Olivette. Tho coup iVctat is reversed, Valentin I'ccoivef) his faithful Olivette, < and whilst the Countess guards agaiust further plots by accopting tho Due dcs Ifs, tho Oaptaine do Morimae is advised to follow tho exiimplo of fcho Dogo of Venice, and "Marry tho Sea." The opera opens with a chorus. Olivetto is introduced in a pretty little song, "The

Convent Slept," while the Countess opening number is a valse song "First Lme which she sings charmingly, as we lcno« from experience. The sob song, O> m 3 father," by Olivette, is one ot the gems of the onera The song and refrain, a d ie, '•Ilovemyl«.ve so well," by Olivette and the Countess, has much sympathetic music in it " Nearest and Deareat "is also sung by the Countess, as she takes leave of her childhood's homo, and is sure to meet with approval to-night. Valentine has a capital serenade "Darling, good night," and takes part in a duet with Do Merimae, his uncle, in "What ! she your wife." The " Yacht and the Brig," by Do Mcrimac, with humming- chorus, -tvill liave its admirers. There arc many other pleasing numbers, but these gems will be warmly appreciated, while there arc some capital choruses.