The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-13
ARTHUR j. DELANEY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Theatre Francafs-The layton Parlor
Oueras.

novel speciality in the mutfarious amusements of
the metropolis was introduced last night at the French
theatre by Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Drayton two excellent
artists whose fame had preceded them this side OF the
Atlantic. Mr. praytop although American by birth has
spent nearly all his life abroad having been educated at
the Paris Conservatoire and made his debut in the London
Opera houses Mrs. Drayton is English singer of the
best and most thorough school 50 much for the artistic
claims Of the nray tons. Now, their speciality They
sustained last night the entire weight Of two musical
pieces and did it admirably we'll The first effort of the
evening was act play, half English operea and half
French vaudeville, called ''Dont Judge by APP
pearapces" The plot Is taken from old French play;
is very slight that description would hardly nte
any The words are Mr. Draytons and the mu-
sic composed by Edward Loder The latter is altoge
ther original, but is generally pleasing. Mr. and Mrs
Dayton nave each good song and one very pretty duet
The second piece was French comic opera, angicized
by Mr. Drayton and entitled diamond Cut Diamond
The is by Grisar, who writes better than I0der
This piece is very pleasant the situations amusing
the music light sparkling and exceedingly agreeable 1t
is done the best school of French opera; that
that good school need say. The audience was
pleased with both pieces bun especially delighted with the
In the strict Of the term they are not what
Mr. Dray calls them-the Illustrations of proverbs
but that is a matter Of no great consequence.
The performers made clear and decided success Mrs.
Dayton excellent artist good singer capital
actress sne was equally clever as the Marchoness of
the dncien regime and the soniaee Of to-day Her voice
is mezzo soprano Of medium power and fair quality.
Her method is, as We have said already thoroughly Eng
lish, and her execution is admirable. Mr. bra; ton has
high resonant bass baritone voice. fu powerful and even
throughput its register. We have rarely heard a moro
agreeable organ, OF under more perfect control.
Joined with this and excellent school Mr. Drayton
has fne dashing, manly stage presence, and spirited
style of acting which engages the attention of
the audience at once. In the first piece he was
little too pronosne for small a theatre as
this but in the second he was toned down
and played exceedingly we'll The audience, which
irclrded many artists, amateurs and connseurs seemed
especially delighted with the performance. At the end
Mr.. ard Mrs. Drayton called for and received with
the greatest enthusiasm. Mr.. prayon addressed the
audience briefly saying that he had prepared himself
with speech In he should be called upon 10 make ONE
but the warmth Of his reception had quite dsarfanged his
prcconceived IDEAS and scattered the words SO widely
that they could be collected. He made his sncerest
ackuowi dgements for the kindly way in which Mrs.
Dray,,n and himself had been received, and hoped that
they would be found worthy OF continuance Of public
favor.
The next performance of the Paror Opera will take
place to morrow in the meantime would direct
attention 10 the advertisement which gives interest
ng historical particulars TO the origin Of the entertain
mert hch Mr.. Drayton has SO successfully initiated in
the United States.