THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4120, 4 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

“the GKAXD DDCHESS 01'' GBiiOLSTEIX. As we anticipated, this highly amusing opera drew a very large and fashionable attendance at the Theatre iloyal last night. Comic opera has not yet established itself in the minds of some lovers of high-class music as a possible thing, just as a passionate admirer of the Greek drama can find but little interest in an old English comedy, or a student of Shakspoare condescend to ho amused with such elegant trifling as “The Yellow Dwarf,” or “Beauty and the Beast.” Yet the comedy and the burlesque may bo admired with a perfectly genuine feeling, though it may be of a less intense kind than that which turns absorbingly to the classic dramas of Athens, or questions the authenticity of “ Troilus and Cressida ” because it does not present—beautiful as it' is —the dramatic power and art which is observable in “The Tempest.” Something of that feeling, we think, was perceptible last night ; and yet there is no doubt that to the great body of those present “ The Grand Duchess ” was a new and welcome sensation. The opera was performed with rave ability, although we fancied that Miss May’s illness slightly lessened the joyousness of the spirit she throws into the part. As the story is a mere extravaganza, it is hardly necessary to tell it; but wo may briefly say that it is that of a young ruler (the Grand Duchess) of a petty state, whose troops consist of little more than the number of soldiers which formed the “brave army” of General Bombnstes Furioso. It is commanded by a fierce warrior, in the person of General Boom (Mr. Eainford). The hand of the Duchess is sought by Prince Paul, a comical creature of the butterfly sort, cleverly impersonated by Mr. Templeton, but to divert her mind from love and matrimony, her “ guide, philosopher, and friend,” a dreary old courtier, to wit, Baron Puck (Mr, Wilkinson), proposes to engage in wav. The troops are marshalled that “ the Grand Duchess” may inspire their spirits by inspecting them. In this scene she sings the fine rondo “ I doat on the military.” While they parade the Grand Duchess becomes enamoured of one of the guard, whom she has brought before her —a fine handsome fellow, but an ignorant lout, wl'om she successively creates corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, and with whom and the regiment (the chorus) she sings “Oh what a gallant regimentand finally creating her favorite Commander-in-Chief, presents him with her father's sword, given to him by her mother on the eve of battle, and sends him to battle with the attractive audsphit-stirrmg song “Lo ! here the sabre of my sire.” Prince Paid in the meantime presses his suit, and Baron Grog comes as his princely father’s ambassador in the court of love to assist his suit. How the gallant Fritz returns from the scene of war, having conquered his enemy by means of the bottle, and narrates his adventures in the song “ All in good order, colors flying,” but becomes disgraced in a brawl with a Jealous husband ; how “ Prince Paul’s ” suit progresses ; how the Baron, the General, and the Prince conspire together, and how the business terminates in the retreat of Fritz to a farm with his darling Wanda (Miss Lambert), while the Prince and the Grand Duchess join hands, we need not relate. Suffice it to say that in the little part of Wanda Miss Lambert was very successful. As Fritz, Mr. Yernon sang and played so naturally as to add much to his reputation ; while Mr. Templeton, as the Prince, performed excellently and sang with marked approbation the pretty music set down for him, especially the “To wed the pearl of all princesses.” Mr. Kainford’s “General Boom” created great amusement; while “Baron Grog” by Mr. Evans, and “Neponrac ” by Mr. Lester, were well represented. The opera was received with groat satisfaction. To-night “ The Grand Duchess ” will be repeated.