H. Mitchell's English Opera.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3184, 3 May 1879, Page 2

H. Mitchell's English Opera.

" The Grand Durlie^s."

There, wai a fair" audience/ at: the Academy i of Music last, evening, when Offenbach's' "Grand Duchess "of Gerolf stein" was performed. The-opera hag become immensely popular "wherever it *has been produced, and though essentially jcomic, almost approaching the burlesque, •more than ordinary powers are required fto sustain the principal characters and make the piece " go." The music, though !of a* light character, is good, and the-plot, iWhich is somewhat novel, is well worked out. The Grand Duchess is an impulsive woman, brooking no interference, and continually showing her strong, passions, i She falls in love with Fritz, 'a private soldier in her army, and at a grand review suddenly takes him from the ranks and confers upon him 'the highest military rank, and gives him a patent of nobility, much to the annoyance and chagrin of tbe General Boom, the commander of the Grand .Duchess', army. As. a.,private, soldier Fritz had lost his heart to: a peasant girl, Wanda, and remains:true to her in his exalted,position,until the Grand Duchess becomes piqued; and poor Fritz is again reduced to the ranks, and subsequently receives the : appointment tof village schqplmaster. The Grand Duchess bestows her hand on Prince Paul, a liiiping coxcomb, and general Boom- again assume* the chief command of the forces. Miss Wangenheim sustained the character of Grand Duchess very successfully. Her rendition of tfie song '* Lo, here the sabre of my sire" was well received. Miss Alice Johns made her firßt appearance this season in the character of Prince Paul, and was greeted with a perfect ovalion. She dressedher part well, .and her singing of " The Hamburg Journal" gave pleasure. Mr Florence was very good aa Fritz, and nest to Don Caesar Do

Bazan this part may be considered his most happy representation. .. He wag rewarded with more than one encore. The General Boom of Mr Browning wag ludicrous, and kept the audience in roars of laughter. The supernumeraries were well dressed, and the piece fairly mounted. " Grand Duchess " will be repeated this evening, when we expect to see a good attendance.