Musical.
FRENCH THEATRE.
“La Belle Hélène,” by OFFENBACH, was produced here last evening. We need hardly add that the house was filled with a fashionable and appreciative audience. Mr. BATEMAN’S bold and hazardous experiment has proved successful, and after “La Grande Duchesse” he is certain of a hearing for any work that he may choose to select from the extensive and almost unexplored reportoire [1] of OFFENBACH. “La Belle Hélène” is an earlier work than “La Grande Duchesse.” It was produced in 1864, and immediately obtained a popular success. At the hour when we write it is not possible to enter into its merits, or in fact to speak of it at all in a critical spirit. For the moment we content ourselves with recording the performance and the success which it unquestionably obtained. The music of the opera in certain dance forms, has become familiar to the public. It is light, rhymetic and catching. The ensembles are always striking, and sometimes very odd. This result is due in a great measure to the libretto, which is capitally written. It is of course the old story of Helen and Paris, burlesqued in a way that would have made HAWTHORNE’s blood run cold. Between the music and the dialogue the audience was kept in a constant state of laughter. There is perhaps a little too much dialogue, but it is so good that is seems a shame even to suggest its abbreviation. Yet the scissors must be applied.
We have never known a first performance to go so well. There was not a halt from the beginning to end. Mme. TOSTEE as Hélène was inimitable. Neither SCHNEIDER nor TANTIN, who played the same part in Paris, excelled her. She sang with spirit, and [mot illisible] charmingly. Of the other parts we shall take as other opportunity to speak. The chorus and orchestra were alike good ; and the costumes and scenery left nothing to be desired. The finales and many of the numbers were encored. The success indeed was unmistakeable, and what is more pleasant to say, it was deserved. “La Belle Hélène” will be repeated every evening this week.
