"THE EMERALD ISLE," AT THE SAVOY

There is an especial sadness attaching to the production of the new Savoy Opera, for though Sir Arthur Sullivan had sketched out his scheme of illustrating the lyrics of Captain Basil Hood, death prevented him from completing more than two. The others have been orchestrated and harmonised by Mr. Edward German, who has given the remainder of the opera a coherence and unity that suggests subordination of his individuality. The scene of "The Emerald Isle" is laid in Ireland, and the little trail of the brogue is very charming, as also are the bright greens and scarlets of the peasants in the mellow sunshine of Carrig-Cleena. Miss Rosina Brandram is badly cast in her rôle of stiff-backed pomposity, but she sings deliciously. So does Miss Louie Pounds, whose fresh, youthful voice is more ringing and full and steady than it used to be. Her vitality is very refreshing, and she has a fine idea of pathos. Her bit of cross-examination was especially to be admired. Mr. Lytton is also excellent. He takes every scrap of advantage to be gained in "Good-bj'e, my native town." Miss Isabel Jay has a very colourless rôle as the daughter of the Earl of high degree, but she sings it well, though she has a knack of taking her highest notes very badly. We are fortunate in finding collaborators of the talent of Captain Basil Hood and Mr. Edward German to carry on the high traditions of the Savoy Theatre, and a word of praise must given to Mr. Walter Passmore for his quaint assumption of the rôle of the charlatan-professor.

[From The Illustrated London News, 4 May 1901]

SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN'S POSTHUMOUS OPERA, "THE EMERALD ISLE", AT THE SAVOY THEATRE Drawn by S. Begg.

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