Punch, Or The London Charivari | Page 3

DE LUSSAN's Carmen is about the best when all the other dear charmers are away, and in the character she will probably remain in possession of the field, or, rather, "the Garden," till the end of the season. The remainder as before, with DEVOYOD as Escamillo. But what has become of the "go" in the _Toréador's_ great song? Where are the double _encores_? Where, indeed, the hearty applause? Surely it has gone the way of the March in _Faust_, once so enthusiastically received and cheered to the echo; and now--"March off!" It is true that, once let a "tuney tune" become vulgarised by street-musicians, and organic disease would be sufficient to kill it were it not tortured and ground to death by remorseless hands. But the _Toréador's_ song and the March have not been the victims of an organised opposition. Perhaps, though, they may have been, only 'tis so long ago as not to be within the ken of the present deponent. Anyhow, the _Toréador's_ song goes for nothing nowadays, and yet 'tis as good as ever.
[Illustration]
Thursday.--We welcomed The Don. Not the Academic Don once so popularly represented by Mr. J.L. TOOLE, but MOZART's Italianised Spanish Don. _à propos_ of Mr. TOOLE, it has always been the wonder of his friends, to whom the quality of his vocal powers is so well known, that he has never been tempted to renounce the simple histrionic for the lyric Drama. It is said, and "greatly to his credit," that, had it not been for his unwillingness to rob his friend SIMS REEVES of the laurel-crown he wears as first English Tenor of his age, he would long ago have set up a most dangerous opposition to that sweet singer, and have ridden off victoriously with "_My Pretty Jane_" seated up behind him, pillion-wise, on the noble steed known as "_The Bay of Biscay O!_"
But the above is an _entr'acte_, shorter than those at Covent Garden, by the way. M. MAUREL first-rate as the _Don_, both in acting and singing, even better in former than latter; but the dear old serenade, which never can be vulgarised, in spite of its popularity, was encored, and the encore was gracefully accepted, Signor BEVIGNANI being in the chair, and willing to tap the desk and announce, "Gentlemen! Monsieur MAUREL will oblige again!" Applause.
If all the village maidens could dress in a costume such as Miss ZéLIE-ZERLINA wears, then, to take the best and nicest view of it, that village must be uncommonly prosperous. Probably tourists' visits are not few and far between: but anyhow, even the most unsuspicious bumpkin of a lover, would be inclined to ask a few questions about this finery. However, her performance was as fine as the dress, and she looked quite the ZéLIE-ZERLINA, so fascinating to the Lord and the Lout.
Saturday.--_Roméo et Juliette_, that is, M. JEAN DE RESZKé and Mlle. EAMES. A nearly perfect performance. JEAN a trifle too stout for an ideal _Romeo_, but of course he couldn't go into training for the part at short notice. The spirit with which he played the part far outweighed the error of the flesh. Miss EAMES a charming Juliet in every way, though her singing of the waltz was not of dazzling firework brilliancy. Brother NED was the _Frère Laurent_. Excellent. The name Anglo-Frenchified, suggests a reverend gentleman who would meddle with legal marriages and perform private ceremonies without leave or licence from his Ordinary, and might be known as Brother Law-wrong, an Extra-Ordinary Friar. The House crammed full with an audience as brilliant as the performance.
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[Illustration: THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS.
Son of the House. "YOU'RE NOT DANCING, MR. LAMBERT! DON'T YOU WISH TO?"
_Mr. Lambert_ (_who is not so slim as he used to be_). "CERTAINLY--IF YOU CAN FIND ME A _CONCAVE PARTNER_!"]
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THE LAST SONG.
[Mr. SIMS REEVES was announced to sing "_Total Eclipse_" at his Farewell Concert on Monday.]
Farewell! A most unwelcome word to all Whom fifty years of charm have held in thrall: Total eclipse--of pleasure on their part Who love pure melody and polished Art. Memory will echo long the silvery chime Of such a voice as even ruthless Time Might stay his stride to listen to, and spare From the corroding touch. Some scarce will care To hear "_Tom Bowling_" sung by other lips, And when in tenor strains "_Total Eclipse_" Sounds next upon our ears, SIMS REEVES will seem To sing again to us as in a pleasant dream.
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ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
[Illustration: Mr. McEwan.]
_House of Commons, Monday, May 4_.--Windbag SEXTON had fine opportunity to-night; made the most of it. SEYMOUR KEAY absent through greater part of sitting. Various rumours current in explanation of the happy accident. Influenza hinted at; but