DOI Heft:
July 16, 1892
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17694#0023
July 16, 1892.]
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
17
OPERATIC NOTES.
Tuesday.—Premiere of Elaine. Bemberg Composer, Leon-Jehin
Conductor, and Sir Druriolanus Producer. EuU House, leter-
mined to give New Opera a fair hearing, and sit it out. Don't
get a new Opera every day. Congratulations to Bemberg
in a general way. "In a first Opera" (if this be his first),
to quote the Composer of the recent De-La-ra-Boom Buddha, who
was complacently listening to the other Composer's new Opera,
"originality breeds contempt."
So a little bit here, and a little
bit there, here a bit, and there
a bit, and everywhere a bit,
gets rid of
superfluity in
the Composer's
brain, and saves
the listening
critic much
trouble. Then
his next Opera— .
^lj_tfxai ought Fancy Sketch for a Brazen Statue of a Composer notable
to be all genu- fof Ms " Horm and Bra88-"
inely new and original Sparkling Bemberg Cabinet. " Elaine,"
observed a lady critic, " is graceful and airy "—which, in the lady's
presence, the present listener was not prepared to deny.
Contented must have been Composer Bemberg with such a cast as
was made and provided for him by Sir Druriolanus. Melba, as
the "Lily Maid of Astolat," charming, with a charming song,
" E'Amour est pur." The audience was in an encoring humour,
but, thank goodness, only a few encores were taken, and the others
left, otherwise none of us would have been home till sunrise. In the
swan-like dying scene the Composer wrings our heart-strings with
his harp-strings, reminding everyone forcibly that, as Mr. Guppy
observed, "There are chords!" Wagnerian, sometimes, is our
Bemberg, with his horns and brass. Fine chorus at beginning of
Act II.—the Tournament Act—which shows, as a foolish person
observed, "a Rummy lot at Camelot." At end of Third Act
Melba and Jean be Reszkf, (who must have joined the Salvation
Army, as he was, apparently, "saving himself" all the evening)
were enthusiastically called. Engaged in curtseying her thanks,
Melba didn't notice—as, how 'should she ?—property steps behind
her, on which, at about her tenth curtsey, she suddenly sat down
about two seconds before sho could possibly realise that there was
any chance of sitting down. But Jean Launcelot de Reszke was
there, and rescued ner! Good Knight! Jean de Rescue ! Then
Edward, as Hermit, own brother to Friar Laurence, excellent.
But so were they all, and the Opera will well repay several re-
hearings.
Thursday.—A'ida. Generally considered rather a heavy Opera
by Verdi. "But to-night," says Wagstaff, " the Verdi-ict quite
t'other way." Maurel excellent as Amonasro, and Maggie
Macintyre looked, acted, and sang Maggie-nificently; Un-
commonly good was Git/lia Ravogli as Amneris, Aida's rival for
the love of the small-sized Radames Eimitresco, or Dimi-nutive-
Tresco (comparatively speaking), to whom Edward de Beszke,
being quite a Ned and shoulders taller, might spare some of his
superfluous inches.
Edward uncommonly good as Ramfis, which name, considering
the peculiar make-up, might be appropriately changed to Rum Phiz,
and nobody be any the worse. Bevignani conducted himself and
the orchestra admirably; M. Planqon, in English Plain Song,
did all well that as II Re he had to do, looking every inch a Re, and
not a bit II. Mile. Bauermeister was Una Saeerdotissa, but she
would be anything and do everything well. Signor Rinaldini was
Un Messagiero. His costume might have been more effective had
Sir Augustus brought him up to date as a Messenger Boy for the
Telephonic-sol-fa Company. This can be amended. House good.
Friday.—Covent Garden, Elaine expected, but didn't appear.
John the Risky, the Launcelot of the Opera, unwell. '' Not
Launcelot, but another ! " cried Sir Druriolanus, only there wasn't
another. So Carmen was played. "Not this Elaine," continued
Sir Augustus, '' butDrur-e-lane." So away! to hear the Trumpeter
of the German Band. This Trompeter might be played as a trump in
a small house, but 'tis trumpery for Drury Lane. One phrase of an
old music-hall ditty, the words of which were, "She walked forward,
I followed on, tra la la! " constantly recur. Who originated it?
Unwonted excitement of going to two Operas told on shattered frame,
so staggered to Maiden Lane, which, on account of its being the
home for oysters, crabs, and lobsters, should be renamed Mer-maiden
Lane. Behold! good Dr. Baylis " within the Rules " making up his
evening prescriptions. '' Quis supperabit ?" asked the learned Dr. B.
" Ego,'[ replied I, like Jeames, knowing the language. And " supper-
a-bit " it was. " '84 wachterum unum pintum frigidum sumendum
cum '92 chickeno," &c. "My benizon on thee!" said Criticus
Redtvivus. "Dr. Baylis, I h&j-liss thee!" with the accent on
the " liss." _ So home. After all the chops and changes of this operatic
life, I am with '' chicken and champagne " content. Finis coronat opus.
MORE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ALCOHOLIC QUESTION.
(A few remarks on Dr. Robson Boose's Article in New Review.)
1. Inebriates should be shut up in Alcoholloway Prison.
2. " Food-accessory " is a very pretty name for drink. Henoe-
forth let the butler go round as "the merry toast goes round." Let
butlers and footmen, in dining-rooms and places where they have
various liquors, be
instructed to in-
quire of each and
every guest
" What food-
accessory will you
take, Sir ? "
3. " The use oj
Alcohol dates
from very early
times." But it is
not recommended
by the faculty as
a good thing to be
taken at 7 a.m., or at any time in
morning immediately on awaking.
As to when any one has had enough
" alcohol," the old test first put forward
many years ago by Mr. Punch, still holds
good. If you can say "British Consti-
tution" distinctly, and without effort,
so that it shall not be all in one composite
word sounding Kke"Bri'sh-conshushun," ■^r" ~~*><^zr* L_j^y
then, perhaps, you may go up-stairs (if «< Neat'Handed Phyllis."
you can) and join the ladies. ... , ., . ■ ;1 ., , ,
4. " The liver is very prone to become A contribuhon to the Alcohol
affected." The question is, first, Is "an ta lon'
evil liver " or " a good liver" here intended ? But, apart from'this,
any affectation in a liver, good or bad, is objectionable. It must be
taken for granted, in a serious discussion on the subject, that "a slave
to his liver " is a synonym for " a livery servant." The one objection
to a livery servant lies in this very fact; for a slave to liver is rarely
in a good humour, and is generally sulky, lazy, and disobliging.
5. Wine comes in, rubs off the acerbities, and brings all down
to the same level of good humour." The end of such a happy party
is, of course, all under the table, smiling, but speechless.
Smiling, but beautiful they lay,
A gleam was in their half-elosed eye,
But still they murmured with a sigh,
Hic-shelsher-wa'.
Dr. Roberts, as quoted by his confrere, Robson Roosetem Pasha,
appears to be a very sensible person. Dr. Roberts—he is not Dr.
Arthur Roberts, we believe—recommends the liqueur to be judi-
ciously taken at meal-times. And, by the way, as the knowledge of
when to cry, " Hold, enough ! " is most useful, here is another test
of sobriety in this very word "judicious," which some, after a couple
of glasses (or more) of fine old cognac, will pronounce as though
'twere spelt " seducious," and some will swear it ought to be " jusi-
dious." When nobody can pronounce "judicious" correctly, the
arbiter bibendi, if himself absolutely sober as a judge ought to be,—
a man quite " above-board," i.e., not yet under it,—such a one may
pronounce that the guests have had quite enough. It is a pity that so
excellent a writer on temperance should have the singular disad-
vantage of a plural name. If, after dinner, a worthy convivialist
observed, " I see Roberts," would not the question naturally be,
"How many of 'em?" The Doctor can omit the " s," and, as
perhaps he is already a little singular in his carefully-advaneed
theories, why should he not de-pluralise his surname? Do the
Doctors R. R. and R. differ on this? Then we must decide. In
the meantime, to show our approval of this particular article of
Dr. Robson Roostem Pasha's faith, we, as a jovial company, drink
his health, and then depart for our annual Alcoholiday trip.
Lawn Tennis Intelligence.—Baddelay has taken the cake.
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
17
OPERATIC NOTES.
Tuesday.—Premiere of Elaine. Bemberg Composer, Leon-Jehin
Conductor, and Sir Druriolanus Producer. EuU House, leter-
mined to give New Opera a fair hearing, and sit it out. Don't
get a new Opera every day. Congratulations to Bemberg
in a general way. "In a first Opera" (if this be his first),
to quote the Composer of the recent De-La-ra-Boom Buddha, who
was complacently listening to the other Composer's new Opera,
"originality breeds contempt."
So a little bit here, and a little
bit there, here a bit, and there
a bit, and everywhere a bit,
gets rid of
superfluity in
the Composer's
brain, and saves
the listening
critic much
trouble. Then
his next Opera— .
^lj_tfxai ought Fancy Sketch for a Brazen Statue of a Composer notable
to be all genu- fof Ms " Horm and Bra88-"
inely new and original Sparkling Bemberg Cabinet. " Elaine,"
observed a lady critic, " is graceful and airy "—which, in the lady's
presence, the present listener was not prepared to deny.
Contented must have been Composer Bemberg with such a cast as
was made and provided for him by Sir Druriolanus. Melba, as
the "Lily Maid of Astolat," charming, with a charming song,
" E'Amour est pur." The audience was in an encoring humour,
but, thank goodness, only a few encores were taken, and the others
left, otherwise none of us would have been home till sunrise. In the
swan-like dying scene the Composer wrings our heart-strings with
his harp-strings, reminding everyone forcibly that, as Mr. Guppy
observed, "There are chords!" Wagnerian, sometimes, is our
Bemberg, with his horns and brass. Fine chorus at beginning of
Act II.—the Tournament Act—which shows, as a foolish person
observed, "a Rummy lot at Camelot." At end of Third Act
Melba and Jean be Reszkf, (who must have joined the Salvation
Army, as he was, apparently, "saving himself" all the evening)
were enthusiastically called. Engaged in curtseying her thanks,
Melba didn't notice—as, how 'should she ?—property steps behind
her, on which, at about her tenth curtsey, she suddenly sat down
about two seconds before sho could possibly realise that there was
any chance of sitting down. But Jean Launcelot de Reszke was
there, and rescued ner! Good Knight! Jean de Rescue ! Then
Edward, as Hermit, own brother to Friar Laurence, excellent.
But so were they all, and the Opera will well repay several re-
hearings.
Thursday.—A'ida. Generally considered rather a heavy Opera
by Verdi. "But to-night," says Wagstaff, " the Verdi-ict quite
t'other way." Maurel excellent as Amonasro, and Maggie
Macintyre looked, acted, and sang Maggie-nificently; Un-
commonly good was Git/lia Ravogli as Amneris, Aida's rival for
the love of the small-sized Radames Eimitresco, or Dimi-nutive-
Tresco (comparatively speaking), to whom Edward de Beszke,
being quite a Ned and shoulders taller, might spare some of his
superfluous inches.
Edward uncommonly good as Ramfis, which name, considering
the peculiar make-up, might be appropriately changed to Rum Phiz,
and nobody be any the worse. Bevignani conducted himself and
the orchestra admirably; M. Planqon, in English Plain Song,
did all well that as II Re he had to do, looking every inch a Re, and
not a bit II. Mile. Bauermeister was Una Saeerdotissa, but she
would be anything and do everything well. Signor Rinaldini was
Un Messagiero. His costume might have been more effective had
Sir Augustus brought him up to date as a Messenger Boy for the
Telephonic-sol-fa Company. This can be amended. House good.
Friday.—Covent Garden, Elaine expected, but didn't appear.
John the Risky, the Launcelot of the Opera, unwell. '' Not
Launcelot, but another ! " cried Sir Druriolanus, only there wasn't
another. So Carmen was played. "Not this Elaine," continued
Sir Augustus, '' butDrur-e-lane." So away! to hear the Trumpeter
of the German Band. This Trompeter might be played as a trump in
a small house, but 'tis trumpery for Drury Lane. One phrase of an
old music-hall ditty, the words of which were, "She walked forward,
I followed on, tra la la! " constantly recur. Who originated it?
Unwonted excitement of going to two Operas told on shattered frame,
so staggered to Maiden Lane, which, on account of its being the
home for oysters, crabs, and lobsters, should be renamed Mer-maiden
Lane. Behold! good Dr. Baylis " within the Rules " making up his
evening prescriptions. '' Quis supperabit ?" asked the learned Dr. B.
" Ego,'[ replied I, like Jeames, knowing the language. And " supper-
a-bit " it was. " '84 wachterum unum pintum frigidum sumendum
cum '92 chickeno," &c. "My benizon on thee!" said Criticus
Redtvivus. "Dr. Baylis, I h&j-liss thee!" with the accent on
the " liss." _ So home. After all the chops and changes of this operatic
life, I am with '' chicken and champagne " content. Finis coronat opus.
MORE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ALCOHOLIC QUESTION.
(A few remarks on Dr. Robson Boose's Article in New Review.)
1. Inebriates should be shut up in Alcoholloway Prison.
2. " Food-accessory " is a very pretty name for drink. Henoe-
forth let the butler go round as "the merry toast goes round." Let
butlers and footmen, in dining-rooms and places where they have
various liquors, be
instructed to in-
quire of each and
every guest
" What food-
accessory will you
take, Sir ? "
3. " The use oj
Alcohol dates
from very early
times." But it is
not recommended
by the faculty as
a good thing to be
taken at 7 a.m., or at any time in
morning immediately on awaking.
As to when any one has had enough
" alcohol," the old test first put forward
many years ago by Mr. Punch, still holds
good. If you can say "British Consti-
tution" distinctly, and without effort,
so that it shall not be all in one composite
word sounding Kke"Bri'sh-conshushun," ■^r" ~~*><^zr* L_j^y
then, perhaps, you may go up-stairs (if «< Neat'Handed Phyllis."
you can) and join the ladies. ... , ., . ■ ;1 ., , ,
4. " The liver is very prone to become A contribuhon to the Alcohol
affected." The question is, first, Is "an ta lon'
evil liver " or " a good liver" here intended ? But, apart from'this,
any affectation in a liver, good or bad, is objectionable. It must be
taken for granted, in a serious discussion on the subject, that "a slave
to his liver " is a synonym for " a livery servant." The one objection
to a livery servant lies in this very fact; for a slave to liver is rarely
in a good humour, and is generally sulky, lazy, and disobliging.
5. Wine comes in, rubs off the acerbities, and brings all down
to the same level of good humour." The end of such a happy party
is, of course, all under the table, smiling, but speechless.
Smiling, but beautiful they lay,
A gleam was in their half-elosed eye,
But still they murmured with a sigh,
Hic-shelsher-wa'.
Dr. Roberts, as quoted by his confrere, Robson Roosetem Pasha,
appears to be a very sensible person. Dr. Roberts—he is not Dr.
Arthur Roberts, we believe—recommends the liqueur to be judi-
ciously taken at meal-times. And, by the way, as the knowledge of
when to cry, " Hold, enough ! " is most useful, here is another test
of sobriety in this very word "judicious," which some, after a couple
of glasses (or more) of fine old cognac, will pronounce as though
'twere spelt " seducious," and some will swear it ought to be " jusi-
dious." When nobody can pronounce "judicious" correctly, the
arbiter bibendi, if himself absolutely sober as a judge ought to be,—
a man quite " above-board," i.e., not yet under it,—such a one may
pronounce that the guests have had quite enough. It is a pity that so
excellent a writer on temperance should have the singular disad-
vantage of a plural name. If, after dinner, a worthy convivialist
observed, " I see Roberts," would not the question naturally be,
"How many of 'em?" The Doctor can omit the " s," and, as
perhaps he is already a little singular in his carefully-advaneed
theories, why should he not de-pluralise his surname? Do the
Doctors R. R. and R. differ on this? Then we must decide. In
the meantime, to show our approval of this particular article of
Dr. Robson Roostem Pasha's faith, we, as a jovial company, drink
his health, and then depart for our annual Alcoholiday trip.
Lawn Tennis Intelligence.—Baddelay has taken the cake.