"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE."

Observer, Volume II, Issue 40, 18 June 1881, Page 435

"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE."

"Les Clochks de Cornkvillk," Avhich will be produced by the Liliputian Opera Company shortly, is generally admitted to be the best opera-bouffe ever Avritten or composed. In London it ran fully six months longer than "Pinafore," and in Paris, Brussels, and Vienna it is even now constantly played, and invariably draws crowded houses. ' Unlike most French musical Avorks, which are principally remarkable for their extreme fogginess, "Les Cloches" has an interesting plot, Avhich is unfolded intelligibly. The conclusion of the second act is almost startlingly melodramatic, and gives scope for emotional acting of the very highest kind. That the opera will be put on the stage effectively goes without saying. The great scene, the " Putins of the Chateau de Corneville," is being painted in Melbourne, and the dresses are all most elaborate. Miss May Pollard and Miss Julia Simmons play the roles of the two heroines, Serpolette and Germaine. Miss Simmons has not been seen in a leading part yet, but she is a most talented little lady, and very pretty into the bargain. Bertie Sallinger (the captain of "H.M.S. Pinafore ") is to be entrusted Avith the part of Gaspard, the old miser, so Avonderfully played by Shiel Barry in London. It is a great opportunity, and Avill show Avhether he has in him the stuff that makes a famous eccentric actor. Come Osmond, of course, sings the tenor role, a picturesque fisherman, Avhose name avc forget at this moment. Miss Maude Pollard undertakes the Marquis, a part in which she Avill appear to much greater adA'antage than as the Admiral. E. Osmond has a capital low comedy character (the Baillie), and will elicit shouts of laughter unless Aye are much mistaken, as also will young Sheean (Grenicheux). The music of "Les Cloches" is too Avell known to require mention ; suffice it to say that the aiulience may prepare to encore Serpolette's opening air, the "Legend of the Bells;" the Marquis's Avaltz song, "Just look at that, just look at this ;" a duet in the second act ; Gaspard's money song; and the famous "Cider Rondo."