We're quite the gay Frenchmen now at the Italian Opera: _Faust_
in French, _Manon_ in French, _Roméo et Juliette_ in French, _Le
Prophète_ in French; American singers, and Dutch singers--for if Mr.
VAN DYCK isn't as much a Double Dutchman as VANDERDECKEN or any other
Van, except PICKFORD & CO.'s, then am I myself a Dutch native--and, by
the way, I'm always equal to a dozen of 'em any time during the right
and proper season. Not for many a long day and night has there been a
better show at Covent Garden. Miss EAMES, the Brothers DE RESZKÉ,
VAN DYCK, MELBA; the two RAVOGLI girls, specially GIULIA, as tuneful
contralto; MAUREL, the cultured artist; SIBYL SANDERSON, the simple
child of Nature; AGNES JANSON, with more sauce Hollandaise; marvellous
MRAVINA for the French Queen, "with a song;" and, above all, Madame
ALBANI, in tip-top voice, acting and singing better than ever.
_Tuesday_.--June 2 was a Diamond Night in front. H.R.H.'s present:
Diamond Queens and Princesses of Society all on view. DRURIOLANUS, in
his glory, beams on everyone.
_Wednesday_.--State Ball counter-attraction to Opera. Won't do to go
in rumpled silks and satins, and drooping feathers, like hens after
the rain, to a Court Ball. So Opera suffers; those present trying to
look as if they had been invited to State Ball, but didn't care
about going, or couldn't go, on account of recent family affliction.
However, as DRURIOLANUS is reported to have appeared in full fig
at State Ball, he couldn't expect others less interested in the
performance than himself to cut the Court and come to the Opera.
To-night, M. PLANCON as _Mephistopheles_, a thinner demon than Brother
NED DE RESZKÉ, but _un bon diable tout de même_.
_Friday Night_.--Notable for excellent performance of _Rigoletto_, or
The Little Duke and The Big Duck respectively personified by Signor
RAVELLI and GIULIA RAVOGLI. Three "R"s in such a combination. Quite
"_R's Poetica_." Beg pardon.
"Tag" on the week,--if our friends in front are pleased as they appear
to be, then DRURIOLANUS and Council--not the County, but the Covent
Garden Council--are satisfied. _Curtain._
* * * * *
[Illustration: HONEY-MOONING IN ITALY.
_Fair American Bride_. "OH, JOHN! TO THINK THAT PERHAPS VIRGINIUS
STABBED HIS DAUGHTER ON THIS VERY SPOT, AND THAT JUST OVER THERE
TELLIA DROVE OVER HER POOR FATHER'S DEAD BODY!"
_John_. "AH--VERY SAD--VERY SAD, INDEED! BUT, SAY, MATILDA, I GUESS
WE'D BETTER LET BYGONES _BE_ BYGONES. AND NOW LET'S GO AND HAVE A LOOK
AT THE NEW POST-OFFICE."]
* * * * *