The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-12
the Native American Colored Opera.

D0NIzETTI DONE IN BLACK-REFINEMENT IN NEGRO |
LITERATURE-MR. WOODS NEW HALL-soMETHING |
NICE FOR THE LADIEs-MR wo0Ds COMPANY
GEORGE CHRIsrY-HOw 1T PAYS, ETC., ETC.
The attempts which have been made to es-
tabsh the Italian Opera in this city permanent
institution having failed utterly great many people
have led to believe that there musical taste
among people. That this isaogether I'm
preston there be but little doubt; DESIRE how ever
to prove its utter facy, by directing public att enton
TO two establishments where the native American OPERA
refined elaborated and highly coored is given right after
night the qualification Of the public and the profit Of
the managers who have quarrels with tn cir artists
no squabbles with the newspapers-and who are thus
saved from the trouble and expense Of libel suits and
other legal and illegal luxures in which the egots
tic but less able epvesaros of the Italian Opera in
dulge
We are very well that fastdieus people elevate
their arisocratc at the African OPERA and call it
"perverted taste for music which gives the wide
spread popularity which it enjoys To such ladies and
gentlemen would that music is the expression OF
melody and in whatever state the art may exist love
for cannot be called perverted taste. If the people
prefer simple ballads and sparkling choruses to the highly
wrought effects of the Italian masters and the
grand but rather slow combinations of the Ger
man schools, it is not because they cannot appre-
ciate high art but it is because they prefer
heart well sung than to be bored with attempts at that
which impossible under existing circumstances That
is they prefer to 60 to Woods Buckeyes where things
are well managed-where the prima donna throws
up her part-where the tenor never has cold, goes
out to dinner and drinks too much wne-where apollo
gies for sudden attacks Of ever'' made-than
to undertake the perlous journey to Fourteenth street.
and the risk Of all the dsagreeable oor temps which
TO be necessity Of the OPERA except when it il
directed by the able and severe rule of Wikoff.
Then there are oyster house critics at the
Coored Opera; solemn circle of gentlemen who
in the free list, and always grumble
louder than the people that pay-no extra ex-
penses for gloves carriage hire lorgnette Two shi
lings for your ticket and for a stage the entire
charge for this pleasant interview with the Sable
MUSES..
Of the nature and character of the entertainment we
may say few words.
In Broadway, few doors above Spring street, the
evening promenader will notice profusion Of gasghts,
and highly ornamented corridor leading to Chinese
Hail. which has been occupied by the Messrs Buckley
during the past three years as opera house. They
have made various alterations and improvements. and
the place has the air of pretty and comfortable
theatre, and is duly licensed such. There short
summer here and the place put in first rate
order for the winter, while the company was gain
ing laurels and dollars in Albany, Boston, and
other provincial towns. We find fine
parquette and spacious gallery thrown open
to the public at the uniform charge of twenty-five cents
with the front seats reserved for ladies' Nightly
see the prettest women in town here at Woods
The audience is purely American one nicely dressed
quiet polite and often quite fashionable The stage is
amply large enough for the purposes for which it is used
The scenery is all and done by the best artists at
the regular theatres The landscapes much finer
than those at Fourteenth street. where the water sky
Of the same color, with shade resembling the blue
tinge peculiar to Orange county milk fromthe street
There is asmall but effective orchestra. The proscenium
is prettily decorated and there is light cheerful air
about the entire place which is quite taking.
The performance is to commence, and the neat drop
curtain raised displaying eight colored gen.
tlemen in full evening costume In addition to the
venonal banjo" and bones there are several vio-
Inns and reed instruments. Here is the
PROGRAMME.
PART
Operate Chorus, the Ghoueh and Crow,''
from the opera of Guy Mannering". 49,. Company
wish was in Old Virginia r. Bishop Buckley
Broadway song-new--with description
OF broadway scenes e. ;. Buckley
Old Friends and Old Times new composed by " Percival
Newer More Clara Dear s snna,eS
Mocking Bird Song. S. Buckley
Buckeyes Sleigh Song OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Company
FART H.-vARiErY
pianfation Dance. n. Carroll
Solo on one string Chinese 6ddie Bishop Bueksy
Violin Solo, the Bird solo. ......... IF Buckley
To conclude with the new buresque on the
DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT.
In two acts.
Marie....... Miss Mien
Ionic w = buckley
Hortenso. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS B. Buckley
suplice OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES W. Perciyai
inarcoioness.. sad D. Mullen
folders Peasants &c Comnanv
The 'Chough and Grow" Bishops giee and chorus is
well known to the musical public. 1t was very well
given last night, the time being well taken, and the
several parts correctly sung Some Of the Italian chorus
masters should visit Buckeyes, and hear how effective
small number of good voices be made with proper
training The programme is not confined altogether 10
the melodies peculiar to the negro In fact the old
plantation melodies such as this extract,
De ladies' in de parlor,
Hey, come a rolln' down
drinking tea and coffee,
Good morning, ladies all,
have nearly been refined out of existence The more
popular ballads sentimental. Such one is Never
More, Clara Dear" which expressvey rendered by
Mr. Simpson, who has light tenor voice of pure sympa
the,ic quality and quite enough bye this style of
music The song is lament of coored person who
has lost his Clara and who is joined by his brethren 10
the refrain:-
Never more, Clara dear,
Shall my songs at evening greet your ear.
The concluding is rather good than otherwise:
IT'S thus the darkies fondy rave
Whose love extends beyond the grave;
And where the lost ones calmly sleep,
The faithful lovers to weep;
And nightly there midst streaming eyes
Such mournful strains as these arise.
"fondly rave" is very expressive, though hardly |
proper.
Mr. g. s. Buckley gives Broadway song, which is full
Of local hits and to which added every
night Mr.. Buckley the primo tnorc of the troupe
He well educated artist, and sings with much taste
and expression. His upper notes clear, but lack
volume and he is sometimes careless in intonaton.
cold Friends and Old Tmes very pretty ballad, is
sung by MI Percivai, the baritone. Mr. Percival is
capital artist and has full round baritone voice which
he uses with skill His rendering of /" As view
these scenes charming" in the ''somnambula'
burlesque, excellent. In the second part we
have a violin solo by Mr.. +. Buckley, who is At to
hast