SOLDENE COMIC OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5282, 28 February 1878, Page 2

SOLDENE COMIC OPERA.

The production of Offenbach’s opera of “ Madame L’ Archiduo ” had the effect of drawing a large house at the Theatre Royal last night. It is a pretty little opera, full of genuine humor and extremely pleasing music. The plot is very simple. Marietta (Miss Soldene), and Ghette (Mr. Campbell), are waitress and waiter at an inn iu the Swiss Mountains, and have just been married, when there arrives on the scene a fugitive Count (Mr. Farley), and Countess (Miss Liddle), with the Archiduc iu pursuit. Under persuasion, threat, and bribe, Marietta and Gillette are taken away to the Archiduc’s castle, assuming the characters of the Count and Countess. While there the Archiduc falls in love w tb Marietta, and oonstituea her for one day Madame L’ Archiduc, in which character Marietta plays fantastic tricks with the Arobiduc’s prerogatives and his treasury. In this the whole humor of the situation is brought out. The idea of two rustics, who have been a few hours married, assuming the rdle of Count and Countess, to save the real owners of those titles, who are in precisely the same happy, or unhappy situation, from discovery, suggest the sources of a travestie, in which sparkling music, exquisite taste, and incomparable powers of acting are united to a series of gaucheries that, without the least abatement of a highly-refined and elegant toumure, convulse eveu the most fastidious audience, with laughter. Miss Soldene’s opportunities for a display of her great versatility is, in this opera, verymarked, and we think she appears as an actress to greater advantage than iu any other. 1 Her fun is sparkling—never overdone, but still fun of the truest description, most expressive in its demonstration, and withoutthe slighest taint of vulgarity. Her acting of the part of the grand lady, iu which she apes the airs of the gaudily attired Countess, and shows off her frills and finery, is of the most natural and humorous, description. You can see that she enjoys the absurdity of the position, and makes merry of it. Her assumed indignity at having her best dress spoilt by Gilette in a rustic attempt to take a kiss, and the hearty air with which she asserts her intention not to lend it to misses, who will sure to want to borrow it, is a charming piece of acting. : So also is her trifling with the ArchU due iu his love-making modes. There are some very pretty airs allotted to' Marietta, which were last night sung by Miss Soldeue with exquisite | taste. Most notable ,of hers was “ Such a little man,” “ Forgive ue, do,” the leading part iu the “Alphabet sestelle,” and the duet “ Not yet; a moment stay.” Mr. Campbell, as Gilette, has not much opportunity for either vocal or dramatic display; but what he has to do he does with much taste and expression, and in the humorous scenes he supports Miss Solden'e excellently. As the Archiduc, Mr. Marshall, who is the original of the character, has a fine field for the display of his undoubted talents as a comedian. His make-up is very clever, and his impersonation of the “ true original” is a piece of acting seldom witnessed on the colonial stage. Fortunate, “such a nice little man,” was also capitally represented by Miss Le Fevre. As the Count, Mr. Farley was in his best mood. His rendering of the German bouffe duet was very much admired and deservedly so. As Bicoardo, Miss Liddle looked, as she always does, exceedingly pretty. The dresses and mountings were very handsome, and especially preity were the ladies costumed as the dragons. The chorusses were all pleasingly and clearly rendered, and the whole piece was a great success. It will be repeated to-night for the last time.