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Punch: Punch — 97.1889

DOI issue:
July 13, 1889
DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17688#0023
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July 13, 1889.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 17

MODUS OPERANDI.”

Covens Garden, Monday.—Romeo et Juliette. House crowded.
Preparations commencing for Shah’s visit to-morrow. But we attend
to Opera. Here is a tip gratis to Druriolanus and the Organising
Committee. Start earlier next year, and bring out Romeo et Juliette
in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat-race week. Why do I suggest
this P Why P because of Romeo's tights. The right tight is dark

Duet—“ C'est une alouette."

Hark ! Juliet, hark ! | This is indeed a lark !

parti-coloured tights would suit all parties. If the Opera were
played every night during the week, the popular Jean de Beszke
might adopt such attitudes as would give special prominence to
neither colour. But on the Saturday night, after the Boat-race,
then he would put the best leg foremost, according to the winning
colour. “ It need hardly be said,” remarked Lord Ch-rl-s, “ that no
change affecting Romeo could he made without consultingour own
Montague.” How lovely is this Opera, words by Monsieur Williams
De Vine, music by M. Gounod. How unspeakably hut singularly
charming is this duet:—

Romeo. Translation. Juliette. Translation.

© ma Juliette, 0 my Juliet, Non ! pas d’alouettes, No ! no larks !

C’est une alouette, This is a lark, j Dit votre Juliette. Says your Juliet.

0 ma tres chere ! 0 my dearest! Moi! je suis severe ! I am strictly serious.

Mile. Melba charming, Jean de Reszke at his best, Edouard
de Beszke, the stout friar, first-rate, hut with a very bad habit.
Father Laurence was an exemplary monk, and he oughtn’t to have
a bad habit. Colour wrong, and, as to the cord round his waist, it is
quite appropriate that an operatic monk should come on with a chord,
hut let it be the right one, the Franciscan cord, or chord of F.
Augustus Druriolanus knows what the value of correct detail is in
perfecting an ensemble.

Otello. Words by Signor Shakspeario, music by Signor Verdi.
On Friday night it was evident, in more senses than one, that Signor
Tamagno, Signor Maurel, and the big orchestra under the conductor-
ship of Signor Faccio, required a far bigger house than the Lyceum,
as Signor Tamagno’s powerful voice would have filled one twice the
size, and the orchestra was, in the opinion of those close to it, liter-
ally “stunning.” Otello is the effect of Verdi conVerdid to
Wagnerism. Those who expect “ here a tune, and there a tune,
and everywhere a tune,” will be disappointed. Of masterly dramatic
accompaniment there is enough and to spare, and M. Maurel’s acting
generally excellent, though too much in it of the twopence-coloured.
melodramatic style. Still, when both artists become accustomed to
the Lyceum stage, they will learn to economise their energies, and
Signor Faccio will restrain the exuberance of the cymbals, drum,
and wind. “Less wind, and more air,” was the murmur of the
enervated, half-suffocated, but, up to the last, enthusiastic audience
that assembled at the Lyceum to welcome M. Mater’s introduction
of Verdi’s Grand Otello to the British Public. Both Signors Maurel
and Tamagno were rapturously encored in the declamatory dramatic
pieces which do duty for songs. As to Iago's devilish kina of Credo,
they would have had even this three times. Twice was more than
enough for some of us natives, who could find no warrant for it in
j Shakspeare. House-room being required, why not have taken it to
help Her Majesty’s Opposition, now shut up, which, even with the
i Grand Otello, would have all its work to do to get abreast of the Covent
Garden Party, whose leader Druriolanus, is able to do what I
1 believe no Impresario has ever yet done, and that is, contend with
General Mitchell, of Bond Street, so, that the latter instead of, as
heretofore, being appealed to by the Operatic Manager to assist the
| enterprise by taking stalls and boxes, has now to hale Druriolanus
| before a Judge in order to insist on his ancient privileges being

conceded to him. “ ‘ Bemember Mitchell’s-tone’ in former days,”
says Druriolanus; but, in the interests of all parties, the public
included, the matter will be amicably settled.

WHAT IT HAS NEARLY COME TO!

Interrogator. I shall be obliged for the amounts of your butcher’s,
baker’s, grocer’s, and other tradesmen’s books, during the past year.

Ratepayer. In compliance with the Circular already received, I
produce them.

I. I thank you. Now, kindly tell me, can you afford a trip to the
seaside F

R. Yes, a fortnight at Heme Bay in furnished apartments in a
back street.

I. Be good enough to hand over the school-bills of vour children.

R. Again, in compliance with your Circular, I produce them.

I. I am obliged to you. Now, kindly say does your mother-in-
law ever pay you a visit P

R. Not when I can help it.

I. Pardon me, that is scarcely an answer to my question. May I
take it that she stays with you on an average a third of the year ? J

R. I suppose you may.

I. I do not think she is a total abstainer ?

R. No more do I.

I. I see. And now, will you give me the bills of your wife’s I
personal expenditure ?

R. I cannot just at present, as they have been lodged by my
Solicitor in the Court of Bankruptcy.

I. When I next see you, kindly have them ready ! And now tell
me is the sum you have sent in the full amount of all your receipts ?

R. I believe so.

I. That is scarcely enough. Have you received no gifts during
the past twelvemonths ?

R. On my wedding-day a distant relative sent me a fiver.

I. Dear me ! That is a serious omission in your return! Pray
have you had nothing else either in cash or kind F

R. My youngest son on my birthday sent me a picture-card.

I. Which, no doubt, was worth sixpence. You were very remiss
in making no return of so important an amount! And now be good
enough to say—do you take an egg with your tea ?

R. What’s that to you F

I. Pardon me, I come here to ask questions not to answer them—
but if you are disinclined to give me a satisfactory response, no doubt
I can get a reply from either your neighbour or your servants. !

R. Come, this is too much of a good joke! What right have you !
to put such inquisitorial questions to me F

I. Every right; and we will continue the examination when I caLl
again to-morrow.

R. But, good gracious, man! if I am to keep my temper, tell me :
at once who you are !

I. Certainly! I am an Assessor of Income-Tax. And now,
adieu, or, rather, au revoir !

OUB BOOKING-OFFICE.

Good number of Fortnightly, under the able guidance of the out-
spoken and uncommonly frank Harris. How the Shah Travels
when he’s at home is, of course, peculiarly appropriate; but in spite }
of Mr. Bent’s contempt for the opinion of English journalists as to
certain, or, as he thinks, uncertain facts about the Shah, the Baron ;
De Book-Worms ventures to think that the aforesaid journalists !
were correct here, and the writer of the article no doubt is most
correot in Persia. But, of course, we musn’t expect any article
signed “ Bent” to be perfectly straight; there must be some bias in
Bent. The Ethics of Punishment is a counterblast—or rather a
blow straight from the shoulder, smashing the illogical rose-water
sentimentalists, who, unable to bear punishment, will find it difficult
to come up smiling after the “ wunner” in the face. And from a
Lilly, too ! Oh, what a surprise !

We see by the World last week that “ L. E.” has withdrawn from
the conduct of Our Celebrities. We shall miss the monographs—
“so Engel-ish, you know”—which accompanied M. Wal Ley’s
admirable portraits, but trust that the interesting series of the
Walery-Gallery will not be discontinued.

Mr. Farjeon seems to have been very busy lately, as I have seen
several books of his about, of which the titles are new to me. But
I also have been uncommonly busy, and so haven’t had time to
peruse them. Farjeon at a distance, will please take notice.

Baron de Book-Worms.

Ask the Lord Chamberlain.—As to Costume on the occasion of
the Shah’s Visit to the Opera, the Court Circular said“ The dress
worn by the Household was full dress with trousers.” With trousers :
Then what is “ Semi-state dress F ” The Kilt F
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