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“Lyric Theatre.”
Monthly Musical Record vol. 24 issue 288, Dec. 1894, p. 276
Mr. W.S. Gilbert’s popularity somewhat overshadowed Dr. Osmond Carr, the composer of His Excellency, produced at the Lyric Theatre, October 27th. But the music has great merit, although Dr. Carr displays less readiness, perhaps, in grasping the humour of the subject than Sir Arthur Sullivan does in similar works. He had, no doubt, a difficult task, as the story of Mr. Gilbert will prove.
The following is an outline of the plot. The Governor of Elsinore has a mania for hoaxing and practical joking. He has induced a wealthy dame to believe herself engaged to him, and backs out when the lady takes the matter seriously. He also deludes the lovers of his two daughters. One is a medical man, and the Governor informs him that he is appointed Physician to the Royal Family. The other, a sculptor, is told that he will be the Court Sculptor. Other persons are made ridiculous in the same way. But the Governor is himself placed in an absurd position through attempting to carry his jokes too far. The Regent is an amateur actor, and comes to Elsinore disguised as a strolling player; and when the Governor sees the resemblance in face and figure to the representative of royalty, he conceives the idea of making the supposed actor appear as the Regent himself, and confirm the bogus appointments made by him. The Regent pretends to agree to the Governor’s plan, but when he sees that the joke is doing harm, he explains his position, and assumes his proper rank, punishing the Governor by promoting the Syndic to his rank. Dr. Carr has composed some really clever and effective music. Some of the airs are “Patter Songs,” and these are lively and amusing. One of the best is that in which the Governor regrets that every joke has been already made. A capital song for the Regent is where he confesses his weariness in constantly hearing the National Anthem.
Some of the choruses display admirable skill on the part of the composer. There are also concerted pieces in which the musicianly treatment of Dr. Carr deserves hearty praise. In the orchestra may be remarked passages of a very effective kind. Altogether, the score of His Excellency is most creditable to native talent, and Dr. Carr will, in all probability, do something more important in the future. The finale to the first act displays no little skill in grasping the dramatic situation, and blending principals, chorus, and orchestra into one harmonious whole, and keeping also the humorous spirit intended by the author. The performance was excellent.
Mr. George Grossmith, formerly so popular at the Savoy Theatre, was seen in the character of the whimsical Governor, and his drollery and voluble delivery of what may be termed the “chattering music” proved most amusing. Mr. Rutland Barrington, another Savoy favourite, made a hit as the Regent, and his song about the National Anthem was one of the chief successes of the evening. The two daughters of the Governor were charmingly rendered by Miss Jessie Bond and Miss EllalineTerriss, who sang as prettily as she acted. Miss Nancy McIntosh, also from the Savoy, was a very pleasing representative of a ballad-singer who secretly loves the Regent. The smaller parts were all well performed, and high praise may be awarded to the chorus and orchestra. His Excellency will be certain to enjoy a long and prosperous run, and, as a comic opera of home growth, it deserves to be successful.
Page modified 23 October 2020