LADIES’ LETTER

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 297, 11 August 1875, Page 2

LADIES’ LETTER

(Fbom our own oobßbsfoßdbnt.) PakiS, June 1. MUSId. Salle-VunTa dovii La Tour de Babel, Biblical drama in font* tableaux, music by M. Rubinstein. In Germany thi work is always brought out as an opera, here it has been rejii'esented as an oratorio. Tbe latter is then all for the ear and nothing for the eye, and what might be interesting, becomes too long from uniformity. Besides, the plan of having two leaders, a chef for the chorus, and another for the orchestra never can equal a single leader who can see everything and anticipate all things. Thestory is not very orthodox. Nimrod the mighty hunter, orders the tower of Babel to be built, when Abraham appears as the prophet, to oppose his designs ; the king orders Abraham to be thrown into a furnace, but the angels extinguish the fire; delivered, the prophet again warns the workmen to cease, and for so doing Nimrod orders him to be thrown from the top of the tour; instead, the tour comes down with a fearful crash, lightning, thunder &c., the king is appalled, becomes converted, after which the descendants of Bhem, Ham. and Japhet disperse. The role of Abrafiam is a tenor, that of Nimrod a base ; many would prefer the contrary. The Oratorio opens with a chorus of workmen bringing materials to erect the tour, it is too long and the words are too frequently repeated, which is of course the custom in oratorio music. The cataclysm of the falling tower is scenic and dramatical, and terminates by a solo where Nimrod deplores the fragility of things human. Tbe three following choruses represent tbe dispersion of the peoples ; the musie for those of Shem and Ham, is tender, full of color, and oriental, that of Japhet is less original but full of charming simplicity. These are the best points of the scene. Then follow in the final tableaux three more choruses, where the angels chant hosannas and hallelujahs ; that of the people, ajid lastly that of the evil spirits, forming a grand ( ensemble, .although somewhat complicated. The choruses really constitute the work, which indicates a powerful hand. People generally are more familiar with Rubinstein as a pianist; he has given two concerts per day here, executing from memory, pieces from Mozart,. Mendelssohn, Back and Beethoven, as well as CStopin and. Schumann, two composers he so much resembles. It is difficult to discover where he recalls Listz as a pianist, because he is incomparable in the brio of his play, full of richness and variety, always prodigious, ever unequal, yet as a pianist he has no rival, because none ean approach him in the execution of classical music.

The summer Alcazar in the Champs > Elysees, meets with much support ! from the general public ; it is now a ’ promenade concert ; the orchestra is 1 directed by Litolff,aguarantee thatitis 1 excellent, but what a pity to see this ■ celebrated composer in such a position. , Opera Comique.—This house has brought out two small operas, more ■ important from what they promise oq 1 the part of the composer than their . own intrinsic merits. L'Amour Africuin by M. Paladilhe, in two acts, has a fine quintette in the first act; the 1 introduction to the second, and a duet are excellent. Don Mucarade by M. Boulanger, is rather boujfe music; it consists of one. act, opening with a charming quartette, which returns at the finale. FASHIONS. Toilettes have everywhere a very graceful and fresh appear. 1 ance; gay tissues, modest stuffs, and light granadines predominate. Indeed fashion prefers wool to silk, the latter being reserved for trimmings or the lower part of jupons intended not to be seen, yet such costumes cost some fr. 500 at a fashionable dress-makers. The vest-mantelets are made of modest cashmere or common tulle, in favor for themoment, are trimmed with woollen galloons ; hut with ribbons and marabout figures, their price reaches fr. 200. The tunic blouse, and in general all such loose or floating shapes enjoy a grand success pending the warm weather; this free and easy form is relieved by the luxury of the trimmings, consisting of coyuilles of lace, and butterfly knots of ribbon of one or two shades. Made up in the materials of the day, pretty costumes, may be within everyone’s reach ; the Russian and tunic blouse, the Jewish tunic, the tunic and Jeanne d’ Arc corsage, are worn over a robe of colored silk. Embroidery is worked on a grey, white, blue, or rose ground, and with ribbon knots of a well-pro-nounced color, impart elegance to the whole toilette ; white embroidery is to be met with on brown silk, and embroidered insertion is much used for black. Damask gauze of blue, cream, and maize color,is very general. For the dog-days black grenadine will be in much request. The prevailing colors are cream, zine, white, and 6ois°; square patterns, and showy, plaids have admirers, and the cuirass bodice as was to be expected, is the prominent make ; however the trimming Ac, not the cut, is the important element in the ruling modes. White robes are to be meJ with, all embroidered as a matter of course, and no trousseau but contains at least one, without prejudice to costumes in English embroidery, robes pique &c. For costumes in vichy material, plaits have returned to favor, but as a form of trimming only. Pockets are more dominant

than eVCi*, success depends on their 1 position ; they are adapted to tunics, tabliers, &c., are made in the same stuff as the robe ( being garnished with ribbon, or made exclusively in silk of a showy shade. Sea-side dresses are not yet general, bet sky blue; I’dseda, and Livingstone (yelloW'green) faille, promise to be favourite color’s and material. The hat of the ftiotlient partakes of the Chinese pattern j the only seducing feature about it is; the quantity of flowers with which it is surcharged, above as well as below' the fashion rules, that it be worn as far back on the head so that it may cover all tbe chignon, so as to impart the air, that the hat is just on the point of slipping off tbe bead ; ears of corn are an excellent garniture, but nothing can be more deplorable if badly placed. The paysanne fichu is the prettiest auxilary of a toilette, is made in brochee silk, black, white or colored, and surrounded with Spanish lace. It is placed negligently on tbel shoulders, A dinner party is a melancholy affair at present for a hostess f when the, whole is concluded/ the ladies retire to the salon, and the gentlemen to the fumoir-, after drinking their coffee and smoking their cigara, it is now the habit for gentlemen . not to rejoin the ladies, but to put on their hats, promenade on the boulevards repair to their clubs, or stroll into the green room of the theatres. This is ranked as fashionable life. It is chiefly married men that at present have to do duty at dancing parties, and for this desideratum even, a smart whip has to be exercised. There is nothing irregular in a husband conducting his wife to a ball room and leaving her there, and it is lamentable to witness a gentleman secured in advance, as would be the demand to valse with a reigning beauty.