THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4129, 15 June 1874, Page 3

THE OPERA.

GENEVIEVE DE BRABANT. Offenbach’s comic opera, “Genevieve de Brabant,” was brought out on Saturday evening at the Theatre Loyal. Great preparations had been made, and as the opera partakes largely of the extravaganza—is, iu fact, merely a burlesque, to which original music of a high class is wedded—the result was a grand success. The large stage afforded scope for the manager and the scenic artist and his assistants, of which advantage was fully taken, and the more striking scenes of the play were produced with great effect. So many assistants had been engaged that in several of the scenes the whole stage was filled. The story is thus told by the Melbourne translator, while some Wellington author has introduced a variety of local hits, some good, some indifferent, and many that might as well be left out : —ln the year—never mind when—there lived iu the Duchy of Brabant, a Duke named Oocorico, who was bleat with a most charming ■wife (known to history as Genevieve de Brabant). Cocorico and Genevieve being very much married and settled, bid fair to pass their clays in that supremely monotonous manner known as living happily ever afterwards. But fate, undesirous of thus sentencing them to eternal ennui, gives them the following causes for a little wholesome excitement ;—l. The want of an heir. 2. Separation, 3. Adventures while separated. 4. Startling and joyous reunion. On those pegs cm* friend M. Offenbach has hung some delightful music. The plot develops in charmingly naive style. Act X. explains to us how that certain wise men of Brabant, having consulted the Oracle as to the best means of prolonging the Cocorican dynasty, have been recommended to prepare a magic pie for his Dukeship’s special delectation. The pie is opened, and several very gay birds immediately begin to sing. The Duke’s Prime Minister, Golo, arch-plotter against the Ducal Crown, makes love to the Duchess, and is incontinently snubbed for his pains. Drogan, the young baker of the famous pie, having been promoted to the rank of page, exhibits affection, but of a more platonic nature, towards his mistress, sees the danger she is in from Golo’s machinations, and devotes himself to her sendee. Act II introduces us to that celebrated warrior, Charles Martel, who arrives in hot haste on his way to Palestine, and carries off the poor Duke, much against his 'will, to have a chop at the ‘ Saracen’s Head,’ or, in other words, to take pari in a new Crusade. Act 111 is dated a year after Act 11. No news has been heard of the X>uke, and Golo, believing him to be dead, has assumed the reins of Government. Genevieve, accompanied by her handmaid, Brigitte, and her ever-faithful squire, Drogan, has fled to France. We find her in a wood near Versailles, hotly pm-sued by Golo’s gensd’annes, who at length make her prisoner, and are about to dispatch her, when Drogan, disguised as a Hermit of the Ravine, of whom the gensd’armes stand iu holy horror, suddenly appears and utterly discomfits them. In Act IV the Duke, who has returned from Palestine triumphant, is led by Golo and his fellow-conspirator, the Burgomaster, to believe that Genevieve is dead. Drogan, however, arrives on the scene in time to give the lie to his fabrication, and ushers iu the lady herself, much to the joy of everybody, Golo ' and the Burgomaster always excepted. Thus ends the tale.” The leading parts were filled as follows : Genevieve de Brabant, Miss Lambert ; Drogan, Miss May ; Brigitte, Miss Howe ; Cocorico, Mr. Templeton ; Grab, Mr. Rainford ; Pitou, Mr. Vernon; Burgomaster, Mr. Levison ; Charles Martel, Mr. Lester ; Golo, Mr. Inglis ; and we need not say that they vied with each other in working out the success of a very clever musical extravaganza. Incidental to the play there were a number of remarkably good scenes, amongst others that of the railway station with the moving engine and train, the muster and march of the army, &c., and the illuminated gardens. Miss May’s exertions were thoroughly appreciated, and rewarded with showers of bouquets. The opera will be repeated this evening, aud should draw for a number of nights, for nothing approaching Genevieve de Brabant in excellence has ever been produced on the stage in Wellington.