The Emerald Isle promises to be one of the greatest Savoy successes. The delightful opera which the late Mr. D'Oyly Carte commissioned the late Sir Arthur Sullivan and Captain Basil Hood to compose and write, and Mr. Edward German to complete the unfinished score of, was rapturously received last Saturday night. The period is 1801, which enables the management to give quaint and pretty costumes of the Irish peasantry. Mr. Edward German has done wonders with the music allotted to him, but the sweet melodies of Arthur Sullivan, as interpreted so well by the well-trained chorus and orchestra, and especially by dulcet Louie Pounds and tenor Evett, deservedly bore away the palm. The Lord Lieutenant and his charming daughter, who falls in love with the tenor rebel, pleasantly contrasted with Irish humorous characters. Mr. Passmore is very amusing as the spy, who assumes many disguises, though he resembles "The Sorcerer" somewhat. Miss Brandram is seen to advantage as the precise lady mother the heroine, who is played by Miss Isabel Jay with great effect. This clever young artist is to married, it is reported, to Mr. Harry Cavendish in June. I confess I laughed consumedly at the Boucicault-like humour of "The Emerald Isle," with its pretty colleens and gallant Milesna-Coppaleens, and the rich vein of sentiment which sympathetically leavens the whole. What could be more witching than Louie Pounds's singing of the Carrig-Cleena fairy-song, with its haunting "Da Luan, da Mort, da Luan" refrain? What more touching than the song in which Molly signalises her reunion with Pat Murphy? Molly and Pat—Miss Pounds and Mr. Lytton—are the "Colleen Bawn" and Miles of "The Emerald Isle," and contribute greatly to its success. There’s nothing droller or more diverting in this rollicking Irish piece than the unconscious humour of the huge Devonshire Sergeant (Mr. R. Crompton) with his unctuous song in the creamy Devon dialect. Beautiful Miss Agnes Fraser tunesome Kathleen, and lively Miss Blanche Gaston-Murray as Lady Rosie’s roguish maid, also won commendation. Mr. W. Harford’s scenery was lovely, and Mr. Richard Barker merited his special call for the smoothness and excellence of his performance.

Mrs. D’Oyly Carte is especially to he congratulated upon the first venture for the production which she is solely responsible at the Savoy. She is a remarkable lady indeed. After receiving a college education, and acquiring several languages, she became, as Miss Lenoir, the indispensable secretary to Mr. Carte, and speedily won the goodwill of Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr. W. S. Gilbert. She crossed the Atlantic to put the Gilbert-Sullivan operas on a good footing. Frequently when her busy husband was ill she took charge of everything, and there was never the slightest hitch. Her powerful brain and sympathetic nature must have been invaluable.

[From The Penny Illustrated Paper, 4 May 1901]

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