Punch: Punch (100.1891)

256

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[May 30, 1891.

OPERATIC MOTES.

Tuesday, May 19.—With pleasant recollections of Marie Roze
and Bartow McGccetn, and, as I think, a Mr. Scobell playing the
swaggering relative, I went to see Mc.non, at Covent Garden,
Miss Sibyl Sanderson being the Heroine, and M. Van Dyck the

Hero. The new
prima donna has
everything in her
favour, and very
soon she was in
favour with the
audience, but not
in such high
favour as was the
tenor with the
artistic name,
who, fairly tak-
ing the audience
by assault, con-
stituted himself,
pro tern., the man
in possession of
the ear of the
House. He is a
success ; as a
young master
bearing the name
of so distin-
guished an Old
Master should be.
[Query, would it
be rude to say to
a really good Van
Dyck, "You go

M. Van Dyck des Grieux cl Mile. Marion Sanderson, and be hung ! "
{Ensemble). " Nous irons au Guildhall! " Perhaps the

M. Van D. " Yoila. la voiture du Lor' Maire, grace a learned Editor of
M Le Sheriff DrurioJamu." Musical Notes

Manon. Comme il est gentil! Je n attendaw qu'un and Q,ueries wiji

reply. Of course

much depends on the frame.] As for the new soprano Sibyl—
more power to her organ ! Her acting was good, but not great, and
what ought to be her song par excellence went for nothing, or, at
least, it could have been bought very cheap. There is far more
dialogue in Manon than a Covent Garden audience is accustomed
to, and this superfluity is resented by those who come for the
singing, and who, if any talking is to be done, like to do it them-
selves. The three young ladies who go about together as a per-
petual trio, suggest the notion of a light and airy version, feminine
gender, of the three Anabaptists in the Prophete. M. Isnardon as
Des Grieux, pere, a character that might be operatically nearly
related to Germont, pere,, in La Traviata, was impressively dramatic,
but decidedly disappointing in his one great song, which ought to be
a certain encore. It may be true that an opera intended for a small
stage does not stand a fair chance of success on a large one. and
vice vend, as no doubt the Lord Mayor's coach provided by Dru-
riolantjs Sheriffus for the occasion would look absurd on the
stage of the Opera Comique, while here when it comes round to the
gate to fetch J)ts Grieux, it creates as great a sensation as ever it
would do in the Strand on the Ninth of November, even with the
Sheriff inside it.

Wednesday.—Speaking as an opera-goer of some thirtyyears' sitting,
I am inclined to assert that the performance last Wednesday of Les
Huguenots beats the record, a3 will be allowed by all whose memory
runneth not to the contrary, " nevertheless" and "notwithstanding "
being included. Except Mabio, as Raoul, and some add, except
DoRtrs Gras as the Queen, never was seen and heard so fine a per-
formance as is this to-night; and this deponent witnesseth that no such
ensemble has ever been seen for this really grand Opera. Strange to
hear sweet little Manon one night, and the next these overpowering
Huguenots. It is well worth tbe while, in Mr. Punch's pages, to re-
cord this exceptionally brilliant cast. First, Madame Albani for the
heroine Valentino, superb alike in singing and in acting ; GroxiA
Rayogli as Urbano, the page, a memorable page in operatic history;
Conte di San Bris, by M. Lassalle, not to be bettered, as may be
also said of Signor Miranda (by kind permission of Shaksbeare's
Tempest, probably a descendant) as Be Retz, afterwards converted,
and appearing as It, Padre Basso, Superior of a Theatrical Order,
one of the exceptional Orders admitted after seven. Then M. Matj-
rel, with his highly Maurel tone, cannot be beaten as the high-
minded Conte de Nevers ; and Edotjard de Reszee, taken altogether
—and there's a lot of him—is quite the best Mar cello that has been
heard and seen for some considerable time. Herr Formes and
Marini were the rugged Huguenot soldier to the life, but they
weren't the Harmonious Blacksmith that Ned de Reszre is. Jean

de Reszke methinks lacketh impassioned tenderness in the great duet
scene, where Albani is inimitable ; otherwise Jean is a gallant Raoul.
Ensemble, as already said, which term includes chorus, mise-en-scene,
and orchestra under the energetic rule of Signor Bevignani, simply
perfect. Those who this season miss seeing Les Huguenots with this
unexampled cast, will be justly upbraided by their children and
grandchildren. Mr. Covent-Gardenia Hall with the Gladstone
flower in his button-hole, almost weeps to think that his much-
loved leader is unable to come from Dollis Hill and bestow his liberal
praise upon Les Huguenots. Drttriolantjs may well beam upon the

Rehearsing for an amateur performance of
the Christy Minstrels, under the direction of
Count Four-in-a-bar. " Now then, Gentlemen,
all together ! "

crammed house, viewing a portion of it with his nose over the ledge
of the stall gangway portal; well may he smile, hum the melodies
to himself (what better audience can he have for the performance !)
expand in full bloom and speak joyously out of the very fulness of
his heart and pocket; nay, for the moment he may even look upon
the sheriffship and all its glory as a mere vanity of vanities, in com-
parison with the proud position of being Drdriolands Operaticds
MAGNiFicissriins, who has given opera-goers this new and rare
edition of Les Huguenots. The gloved hand and the lorgnette of
H.R.H. are visible in the omnibus-box, where our music-loving
Prince is happily congratulating himself on another little Fife being
added to the harmonious Royal Band, while the loyal public is
mightily pleased thus to have it proved to ocular demonstration, that
the subtle villain, Influenza, has been baulked in his traitorous
attempt on the Royal Personage, and they sincerely hope that the
insidious poisoner, being thus arrested in his course, may, with all
his treacherous bacilli, be for ever banished this happy and generally
healthy realm.

COMPETITION IN THE FUTURE.

Scene—A Barrack-Room. Present—President and Members of a
Board of Examiners, sitting to pass Candidates for Commissions
in the Line.

President, Now, Gentlemen, I thick we are agreed that cramming
is to be discouraged. We want an officer who can command a com-
pany, and not a scholar who can floor a paper for high-class honours
— that is the general idea, Gentlemen, isn't it ?

Chorus of Members. Quite so.

Pres. Exactly, Orderly, pass the word that we will see Mr.
Mugger. {The roord is passed, when enter First Candida's.) Glad
to see you, Sir. Pray sit down. I think you were at school ?

First Candidate {nervously). Yes, Sir, at Eton.

Pres. Humph! {Aside, to his Colleagues.) Rather an unpro-
mising commencement. However, he may have devoted more of his
time to cricket or football in the Playing Fields than to anything
else. {Aloud.) I hope you have not been to the University P

First Can. {almost moved to tears). Alas, Gentlemen, my father
would send me to Christehurch, and I am sorry to say I took a
Double First!

Pres. {courteous, but sad). I am afraid that will do. {Exit First
Candidate, striving in vain to suppress a burst of unmanly emotion.)
I am deeply grieved, Gentlemen, but I fear that we can do nothing
further in this matter ?

Chorus of Members. Utterly impossible !

Pres. Exactly. Orderly, call Mr. Shieewores. {Second Candidate
enters.) Glad to see you, Sir. Pray sit down. I think you were at
school ?

Second Can. {with confidence). Never, Sir, and allow me to add
that I can scarcely read, don't know how to spell, and have a firm
impression that two and two make either three or five—I forget which.

Pres. {beaming). Excellent! {After a brief consultation with his
colleagues.) Mr. Shirewores I have much pleasure in informing
you that we shall be glad to recommend you for a Commission.

{Curtain.)