The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-07
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Philadelphia.
Correspondence Of the Herald
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 9th, 1872
Gen. JAMES GORDON BENNETT

GEN. JAMES GORDON BENNETT
DEAR SIR,
The opera commenced last evening with La Som
nambula II twas the first full house since the COM
mencement OF the season, and in fact the only
spectacle one since the days Of Mr.. and Mrs. Wood,
and the stolid lectures of DIR. Dyonisius Lardner,
F. X. 5. LII. ID. The dramafis pysone consisted
first OF Mrs. and Mr.. Seguin, and secondly of Mr.
and Mrs. Segun the tenor, Mr.. Shrival, being half
soprano, halt baritone, harsh, screaming and husky
in his deep notes, TO drown every other voice,
and scarcely audible in the falseto; consequently
sort OF nondescrIpt, which will endeavor 10 more
PARTICULARLY study, and in a subsequent letter. Mrs
Seguln Is, allow me TO be little enthusiastic, an
accomplished artist, in the real sense of the
word She sings with great expression and
feeling, and is. remarkably correct in her acting
The tact IS, singer on the sage ought never TO
forget that he is engaged in musical drama, and
that his actions must correspond with the senti-
ments his voice Is to convey the audience Mrs.
Seguin, II is evident, has highly correct apprecia
ton OF this TRUTH and was successful last evening
that at the conclusion of the OPERA she was loudly
called for; though her and her husbands modesty
carried the tenor between them. Her voice is one
OF considerable scope, though not equal to Mrs
Wood IN her palmiest days, but her mes,a roce is
as delightful as that of any woman ever heard
She manages her voice admirably-a thing which
can scarcely say for Mr. Seguin and still less for
MIR. Shrival, and 1t appears to come directly from
neI ntdrt, lnal you cannot nelp admirIng her. Mrs
Seguln has marked, sprightly, un-Englsh face
highly capable of expressing emotions, thin, but well
turned shoulders, very pretty throat, and exceed
DINGHY graceful in all her motions. 1t was indeed re
reshing TO gaze on her, especially in the second act
which requires great skill in attitude not to appear
udlcrous, If not worse Some of the best English
actresses, as for instance Miss Ellen Tree and Miss
Fauclt, have but little command over their feet and
toes but after watching Mrs. Seguin for more than
an hour attentively, ] could not discover single
step which was not in good keeping with her dign-
ned bearing throughout. The only thing disliked
washe scuff1e for the wedding ring, which was too
rude not TO excite dsagreeable feeling in the au
dlence. Mr.. Seguin's part was scarcely capable of
bringing him out. He is noble bass but on
pinch must do for baritone, presume. | will see
how well he does as Figaro.
Miss Coad made her debut as Liza !; but as deem
II charitable not to say too much of her. my notice
OF her talents must be brief. She has small
voice, which, however, seems to be capable of
considerable cultivation. Her part was evidently
above her power, and her motion so remarkably
stiff that she, at tunes, excited laughter / would
advise her above all things, to turn her toes out and
to gesculate, if she thinks proper, with both arms
instead of one, and that not in the telegraph fashion
Cat right angles), but if possible, little more cir
cular. Nothing appears SO awkward on the stage as
always seems to elbow her lover. Miss c. Is corsage
too, wanted fixing" and there were two pretty
French milliners not far from the stage box who
might do that thing for her admirably.
The orchestra did well, but was not as powerful
as we saw II in Norma The chorusses passed off
SO SO but the fgurants did their best by showing
themselves. They were very prettily dressed, and
there were faces and forms among them that might
have shaken the saintship Of an anchorite.